{Christmas Part 2 & 3

Another wonderful Christmas has come and gone. We wanted it very low key, with the focus on our Savior and the real reason for the season! It was SO, SO hard not to buy the kids lots of presents (Chad and I had HUGE Christmas' growing up), but we did a great job (sticking with scrap booking, paints and canvas', Imaginex and Playmobile, the basics). Nevertheless, the kids had a wonderful holiday!Maisey LOVED her karaoke machine from Santa and the house has been quite noisy since!Excited about scrap booking supplies, paints and canvas'. This age can be really hard (once they're past toys).

I did a HORRIBLE job taking pics since we were up @ 6 for church after retiring at nearly 2:30 AM. Chad and I look a bit sleepy, but we were as giddy as the kids. I told Chad the up side to having early church on Christmas was that we would actually look "good" for pictures, I guess I was wrong since we didn't hardly get any... Usually, I am in a robe and trying to dodge the video camera!

After church we headed to my brother and sister in-laws in Wilsonville. Tradition is to head to Hood River; however, everyone wanted to try something new this year. We had a great time with great hosts!The ladies of the family (Ali, Jill, Carey, and Oma)

The grand kids (Ruby, Colby, Maisey, Peyton, and Ryley)

Chad with his favorite gift (a Chip Kelly autographed "Support the Troops" duck Jersey). I know very little about football, but apparently they wear these on the first game each season. A true duck fan. Me, I love my new knives!

{Christmas Projects}

I didn't accomplish nearly as many holiday projects this season, and I am totally bummed about that, but it just wasn't "my" season to do so!

I did manage to make these letters for my Grandma

And these canvas' for my parents and grandparentsand this silhouette necklace for my mother in-law with the 5 grandchildren. At least I got a little something done, and I plan to work on some more Christmas projects throughout the year!

{Christmas Part 1: Eugene}

We were all so excited to go to Eugene for Christmas!Ryley packed enough pj's to last beyond our 5 day trip!

He was so excited to see everyone and play with his second cousin ColdenWe also enjoyed the annual cookie decorating!It was sunny and 40 degrees out and the kids couldn't have been happier! They love playing at their Grandpa's old elementary school!Chad and I were able to go on a date to look at Christmas lights, shop, and get dessert.Lemon poppy-seed cake with lemon curd... This is on my future baking list!The kids on Christmas Eve with my sister and brotherThere was little sleeping...and a whole lot of this

but we're home now and getting caught up on things!

We arrived home after midnight on Christmas Eve- or morning rather, and mustered up the energy for the rest of the holiday festivities!

{Traditions}

Maisey and friend Lexie checked gingerbread houses off the list of traditions for the year. After having a sleepover (if you can call it that with only 4 hours of sleep) we made our annual visit to Pittock Mansion (as a mommy/daughter date). The kids are always interested in finding the hidden object (this year they counted over 100 flags since the theme was Christmas around the world). (Holding their certificates after counting)

Dates with daughters are the best (loved one for that matter)Afterwards we had dessert at Bliss, a cupcake place (super cute)!These girls have tons of fun together!Enjoy the season and all your traditions!

{Story Book Lane}

Ry's class took a field trip this week to Story Book Lane in Cornelius and Chad and I went along. I tried to take pictures of him but he would not stop running around with his friends long enough. It was SO, SO cute to see him with 19 other "friends." He honestly loves everyone, and he is such a considerate friend. Lately, he keeps talking about all the Christmas gifts he wants to buy all his friends. If only we were "Santa" Ryley, we would give to everyone!This picture didn't quite capture the real scene which involved three little girls standing around talking to him. *See the rug burn on his head? It was a bad one, and he cut it open on a trampoline... Perfect for holiday pics! Ryley told all his friends this chapel was a "temple." I think he's got the missionary spirit in him!
I thought this place was cute. It is small and it is on someones property. They've been running it since 1979, and most the scenes run on simple, rusty machinery, and there is music in the background. Chad thought it was lame, but it was festive, and free, so the school enjoys going the odd years it's open.

Not pictured off the top of my head: Beauty and the Beast, many nurser Rhymes )the old woman and the shoe, humpty dumpty, the dish and the spoon, the 3 bears), 101 Dalmatians, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Cinderella, and some more I know I am missing.

{Christmas Program}

Ryley's preschool had a Christmas program this week. He sang sporadically, but we were proud he got on stage and sang at all because there were families to 40 preschoolers there. They combined the classes, which made for quite a lovely melody!Afterwards Santa was there to take wishes.

I thought this face was so cute. I guess he passed the test because he earned his candy cane!

Ryley is such a sweet, loving boy! At nearly 4, he still melts my heart!

Our friends invited us to the Christmas ships last week.
Silly Nora was teasing the kids in the car with the 3-D glasses.

Poor Chad was soooo sick with the flu, he had to miss it! I told him he didn't miss much this night, but he's been wanting to go nonetheless!In the end it didn't matter who had the glasses, it was Monday night and we don't know what was the reason, but the ships went by so fast, nobody had time to put glasses on. The fleet only had 6, although many were anchored. Regardless, we love spending time with friends and it was fun.