Fun with the Pedersons on Christmas Eve!

Christmas with the Pedersons started out with a great dinner (thanks, Christie!). Kaitlyn hung in there for all of this excitement but unfortunately, Kaitlyn slept through the rest of the Christmas Eve event with the Pedersons so she missed out on opening her gifts. But here she is the next day sporting all her loot from her first Christmas! Thanks Nana, Papa, Uncle Jason, Aunt Christie, Justin, Jackson and Morgan for the great gifts but mostly for all the loves and hugs.

Enough already!

Okay, not to be a grinch but this snow stinks! Here are some pictures of how terrible, oh I mean beautiful, it is.

Here's what we have at our front door.

Snow coming down all day yesterday and last night. Is there no end?!

Our backyard. Yes, for those of you who know our backyard you can see this is A LOT of snow! Notice you don't even see our porch steps...they are completely covered. If we put Kaitlyn out there we'd lose her in the snow.

Although picturesque, this snow build-up on our windows doesn't bring smiles to my face.

Stay safe and warm everyone.

Tummy time + cool pillow = FUN!

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!

Can you believe that seven years ago we were in Maui saying, 'I do'? Seems a long ways away from the snow, ice, and chilly temps that we are experiencing today. :(

Nonetheless, we did get a little time tonight to celebrate thanks to Nana Pederson. She watched Kaitlyn today while I worked and offered to stay late so we could go out to dinner. We jumped on that offer! :) Thank you, thank you, Jeannine!

Since it was later in the evening by the time Ryan got home from work we decided to stay in the area. Off to Druid's Glen we went. Well, it's definitely an anniversary to be remember as Ryan got some bad salmon. NOT GOOD! Don't think the night ahead is going to be very anniversary friendly. Oh, maybe that's TMI, sorry!

Better thoughts though...Ryan, thanks for a wonderful 7 years and I can't wait for many, many more to come.

Wonderful surprise visit!

Yesterday we had a knock at the door and it was so fun to open it and be surprised by my Mom. She headed up to hang out for a bit in the evening. I loved it and Kaitlyn really loved seeing Grammy Jill...she just kept giggling and giggling! Check out the video. Thanks, Mom!

Yes, Kaitlyn, there is a Santa Claus!

Well, with an almost 5 month old and a 4 1/2 year old, we weren't sure how the trip to see Santa would go. It started off with Emily asking where Santa parked his reindeer since she didn't see them in the parking lot. Quite the observant little girl. Ryan said he thought they had a special underground parking spot. Good thinking when put on the spot!



So here's Kaitlyn's first visit with Santa. A good friend of mine, Laurie, gave us the recommendation to just 'back her in'. That way she wouldn't freak out. Worked like a charm...well that and Daddy, Mommy, Auntie Jen, and Emily making all kinds of great sounds and funny faces.



Here's big cousin Emily showing Kaitlyn the ropes with Santa! Emily asked Santa for a princess barbie doll. As you can tell Kaitlyn is starting to catch on that a strange looking man in a big, red suit is holding on to her.





Okay, Kaitlyn is saying she's tired of Santa at this point! LOL!

As you can see from all the photos, Kaitlyn loved pulling on poor Santa's beard. Ryan had the little discussion with her on the way home how that's a great thing to do if a strange man with a beard ever comes up to her...and then instructed her to gouge out his eyes and scream. I guess you can never start too early trying to teach your kids safety...hahaha

Anyways, the day could not have gone better. No wait in line, we walked right up. No crying. And after all the excitement Kaitlyn slept the whole way home. Simply lovely! I was worried we might end up with a Christmas Vacation type of visit, but nope, no need to hit the heavily liquored-up eggnog that I had in a flask in my purse. :)

Bring on the holidays and winter!