Merry Christmas!

Ho, ho, ho! Christmas day finally arrived. It seemed like such a long stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although Kaitlyn woke up at 4:20 am she tried going back to sleep for a while. It didn't happen but she did manage to wait to come and get us until a little after 7 am. She really wanted to open up her gifts but knew that Forest needed to go outside first. Ah, the fun of having a dog!

It was a wonderful morning opening Santa gifts and family gifts, listening to Christmas music, and enjoying some breakfast. Then it was time to start getting ready as the Krauses and Mosers were heading over. Wahoo! Yummy appetizers, amazing prime rib, sides, and dessert (thanks, Costco!) and most importantly, wonderful time spent with family!

Seems weird to now have Christmas over yet a full week and a half of winter vacation for Kaitlyn. The way the holiday fell this year means she went right up to the Friday before Christmas but now doesn't go back until the 7th of January and I have to say, I'm totally thrilled about this and the opportunity to be hanging out with her!

Nintendo Switch - she's been wanting this one
for a while now!

Chillin by the tree in her Christmas outfit
with Forest

Mom got us these silly Christmas tree and reindeer glasses!

Christmas Eve

We had such a lovely Christmas Eve this year. Morning was spent getting the last few items taken care of for Christmas and then we headed to lunch at the Ram with Grammy Jill and Papa Dirt. Beautiful day, beautiful view (Tacoma waterfront), and all day happy hour - BEAUTIFUL!!

Afterward we headed home and relaxed for a bit then once it got dark we went in search of some great holiday lights in the nearby neighborhoods. Even Forest got in on the action taking a ride with us and having fun! Got back home and pulled out the good 'ole Christmas Vacation puzzle to start working on and turned on It's a Wonderful Life! Made some cookies and a note for Santa and then headed off to bed! Love kicking back and spending time with family!

My favorite part is the comment about Comet! LOL

Holiday Fun Around the House

Just a few pictures over the last week as we were getting ready for Christmas! Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas! xoxoxoxo

LOVE this wreath...it's from the Tausch family.
Best part...the ring is a wine barrel ring from Lake Chelan.
And yes, there's a hilarious story behind it that makes
this gift even more special!

KP was adamant that we decorate the outside of our
house this year. I almost killed myself on the ladder
but it's done!! And at night with the lights it looks pretty!

Forest...under a tree...hahahaha!

Santa

As the girls are getting older, it's becoming harder and harder to get them excited for Santa visits. This year we had a secret weapon...Forest! Going with Emily was definitely enticing but getting to bring Forest was the icing on the cake! Ho, ho, ho!!

Enchant!

On Sunday KP and I headed into Safeco Field to checkout Enchant with her girl scout troop. LOTS and LOTS of lights made it absolutely beautiful! There was a light maze, where we had to find Santa's 9 reindeer, an ice skating rink (KP said no way!), Santa and Mrs Claus, and some really cool vendors. KP picked up a super cute hat, some mittens, and a yummy mug of hot chocolate!

Tradition

Every year Auntie Jen gets KP holiday pajamas and an ornament that reflects her passion/love over that last year. It's such a cool tradition! Thanks, Jen!

SO soft and comfy! 

It's archery!!

Trees, trees, trees!!

Two Saturday’s ago we trekked out to the tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree. We'd tagged it the weekend after Thanksgiving but didn't want to cut it yet as we were worried it would dry out before Christmas. Total score/bonus...after getting our main tree, I'd inquired if they had any small ones for KP for the upstairs bonus room. Although they'd sold out of trees shortly after Thanksgiving weekend I thought it might be worth a try to inquire about a small one. The owner of the tree farm was incredibly kind and took KP out to pick one and then proceeded to give it to us for free! We were very touched!

The tree farm has fun displays throughout the area

KP and Lily

In front of the Tauch's tree - ours got cut too
quick and I didn't get a before picture - lol

Our two trees ready to go home...
easiest year yet with the truck now!

Hometown Holiday Concert

We had a blast last week at the Hometown Holiday Concert at Showare. Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, Jordan Davis, and Mitchell Tenpenny all performed. It was a completely acoustic concert and it was AH-MAZING!!

Me and my girl!

Kelsea Ballerini performing 

This picture doesn't do it justice but the backdrop was really pretty
and kept changing colors! 

Kaitlyn's Girl Scout Event

This year each girl is required to plan one event for the troop. Kaitlyn had November and thus, decided to make it holiday-oriented. Snowflake Lane in Bellevue followed by fondue dessert at the Melting Pot - super yummy!!

Thankful....

This year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house and the Mosers and Mom and Dad joined us. It was relaxing and lovely! We are blessed and have so much to be thankful for!

HUGE News...DOG, DOG, DOG!

Yep, after many, many years of wishing and hoping, wanting and asking, writing letters and planning, Kaitlyn finally got a dog! Meet Forest. We got him the night before Thanksgiving (at like 10:30 pm!) and he's such a sweetheart! As you can imagine, Kaitlyn is over-the-moon! However, Kenyen is not. But he is tolerating the little guy, except he likes to swipe at his tail when it's wagging fast. And Forest is totally oblivious to Kenyen as he just has eyes for Kaitlyn! Welcome Forest, you have already wiggled your way into our hearts!

Day Off From School

This year I got to enjoy hanging out with Kaitlyn on her day off from school (in honor of Veteran's Day). I let her pick our activity and no surprise, it was Dave and Busters with a sweet treat at Baskin-Robbins to follow! This girl is so fun to spend time with!

Rock Creek Open House

I just realized I'd missed an October post. Kaitlyn's open house at school. It was great getting a chance to chat with her teachers, Mr. Lange and Mr. Aaby. And so heartening to hear all the great things they had to say about Kaitlyn!

Some of her artwork on the walls:

I LOVE the words she choose to when thinking about herself!
Books, Archery, Animals, Technology,
Loving, Extraordinary, Programming 

That's a pretty impressive Mayflower Ship!