Thanksgiving 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 Caleb helped me make mini pecan pies and they both helped me peel potatoes.  Such good helpers!

 We went to The Plot's for Thanksgiving dinner.  

The kids were waiting patiently….while eating chips and salsa.

 Our delicious turkey.

 Shawn telling Joe how to make the gravy:o)

 Carving the turkey.

 Funny faces!

 Emma, Joe, Sophie, Liz and our family.

 The day after Thanksgiving we typically put up our Christmas tree and watch Christmas movies.  This year we just went and painted ornaments…since our movers will be here ONE week from Monday!!

 Then we went to lunch.

 And lastly, we went to see Frozen.  

After that we came home to rest on the couch and eat leftovers.

Christmas Surprise

Our Christmases tend to be unconventional.  Each year, we go home at different times and Santa typically arrives early so we don't have to lug presents from one state to the next and back again.  This year is even more difficult, now that we're moving clear across the county during the holidays.  We decided to give them both one of their presents early, so they could enjoy them now, and the packers could pack it up and move it for us.  

 We told Caleb to stay up in his room until we were all finished and then Shawn blindfolded him to take him downstairs.

 Amelia was still pretty asleep from her nap, so we just told her to keep her eyes closed.

 By then end of it, the tents were pushed together, to make one giant tent and Caleb had started putting more blankets up to make it darker.  There were snacks and blankets and stuffed animals and babies all crammed in there.  I'm hoping they look back one day, when they're old, and say, "Those tents you and dad made us, were awesome!"  But for the time being, I think I'm over sewing projects.

 Merry Christmas…..early!

Driving To The Snow

We headed out Hwy 20 yesterday into the North Cascades National Park.  They had just received their first snow of the year and it was beautiful.

 And pretty cold!

 Throwing snowballs!

 Freezing!

We attempted some Christmas card photos too.  I love this one where Caleb is freezing to death.

(He only had his coat off for about 2 seconds)

That will probably be our last day trip to the mountains before we head out.  Shawn flew out this morning for North Carolina to find us a house.  When we gets back, it'll only be a week before Thanksgiving and then our movers will be here on December 9th.  I am so glad we were able to get out yesterday and see the mountains and play in the snow for a bit.  We are going to miss this place so much!

Fishing Birthday

 Happy Birthday, Caleb!!

 Caleb requested a "fishing" birthday party and since you never know what the weather will do around here, we went with an indoor fishing party.

 Fishing pole cupcakes.

 Pretzel fishing rods that caught some fruit snacks for his friends at school.

Fishing lures for Caleb, Emma and Amelia.

 Singing happy birthday!

 We kept this years' party small with just our friends, The Plot's.  I asked Caleb what he wanted for his special birthday dinner and he requested, biscuits and gravy.  We were all pretty glad he picked that for dinner!

Shawn and I decided to get Caleb something that the whole family can use on big trips, plane rides, camping, etc.  After doing a ton of research we went with the Kindle Fire.  When Caleb opened it, he said, "Yes, a real phone!"  I think he was still excited about it even though it wasn't a phone.

 Happy 5th Birthday, big boy!  

We love you so much!