Time with Family

 My sister came early to my parent's home so we had lots of cousin/grandma time!  My mom loved making gingerbread houses and gingerbread men/women with her five grand kids.  It was a crazy couple hours, but very fun.

We had a lot of fun with Aunt Cassidy.

And Aunt Alyssa.

We got to visit Grandma and Grandpa Grossarth and the kids made Christmas suckers!

They were so good!  My kids sure are lucky to have such fun grandmas!

My dad waited to set up the train around the "kid tree" so that Jackson could help him.  

We went to Gardner Village one afternoon with Jared, Allison and Tyson.  It really was so much fun to have the extra time to hang out with everyone!

Airplane Ride

The three kids and I got on airplane and flew to Utah to spend some extra time with family before Kevin could join us for Christmas.  I was worried about how it would all go, but it was a lot better than expected.  Madison was a normal wild toddler, but didn't try to escape and run down the isle like she did in August!  Jackson sat in the seat across the isle from us next to two sweet ladies.  They thought he was so cute and loved talking to him.  He really was so grown up I didn't have to worry about him at all.  Kaitlyn did a great job too.  I couldn't have been happier with my kids.  On the way coming home it was a little crazier (I also rode alone with them), but it was all worth it to have that time with loved ones.

My 5 year old looks so grown up.

These two were being entertained by short movies on the IPAD

Primary Program

In October Jackson participated in the Primary Program at church.  Its where all the children speak and sing about the things they have learned that year.  Our primary was so big only half the children fit on the stand.  The rest had to sit in the first few rows of benches.  Jackson did such a great job and we were so proud of him.  In this picture he is holding the invitation for the program.  

Christmas in Seattle

One day before church I had the kids sit down and got these cute pictures.  It was a total miracle considering we have to leave by 8:35 and Kevin goes early so its all up to me to get them ready.  I knew I wouldn't get pictures afterward though because Madison is always ready for a nap by then.

My little goofy kiddos.

I love it when my girls are so sweet with each other.  Kaitlyn was proud of herself to hold hands with Madison as they walked down the stairs.

Playing in the crib of course.

After my brother Jared and Allison's wedding last year these girls had the best Christmas dress they still fit into since we bought them big.

Can you see it?  Jackson could within five minutes of waking up each morning. 

There he is.  Buddy the elf came to visit this year, and you would have thought it was Christmas morning for a whole month!  We still talk about him a lot.  In fact, sometimes I wonder if he should come out again soon to remind us to be on our best behavior!

We went to downtown Bellevue for "Snowflake Lane" where they have music and people dressed up as soldier and snow princesses.  The kids loved it.  I love this picture of Kaitlyn with her daddy.  Those two are inseparable when Kevin is home.

At the Everett Children's Museum Santa came one Saturday and surprisingly it wasn't very busy.  Madison and Kaitlyn didn't love the moment, but we were able to get a picture.

Before taking off for Utah, we had our own little Christmas at our home.  Each child got one bigger gift.  Jackson helped Kaitlyn get her's out of the big red bag.  It was a couple Little People toys.  

He got a hot wheels track.

Madison got her baby doll with a stroller, baby carrier and crib.  She still loves them all.  Of course so does Kaitlyn.  With three girls right in a row, we can never have enough baby dolls and accessories!

We made gingerbread houses for preschool and the kids could hardly wait to eat them later that day!

A Little Random

One day I got the kids in the van to rush Jackson off to preschool, but the car would not start.  The battery was totally dead.  Fortunately a nice friend was able to pick Jackson up so he didn't have to miss it.  He LOVES preschool!  That night Kevin fixed everything for us and Jackson stayed up late to help out.  It was hilarious because Jackson stood there and chatted with Kevin telling him this was so much fun and trying to hold the flashlight in the right place. Usually his arm got tired though and somehow Kevin accomplished the task even with poor lighting.  :)

We love going to the local Children's museum whenever we can.  The girls enjoyed driving the tractor around the farm.

Jackson and Kaitlyn did swimming lessons just before Christmas and they were so excited when their goggles showed up in the mail.  

One day Madison came in from playing outside and put Jackson's backpack on.  She was telling me about something.  This girl makes my life much more exciting.

Getting Ready for Christmas 2012

Picking out a Christmas tree this year was so fun because we found a farm where we could cut it down ourselves.  The kids thought it was very cool.

 We pulled it in the cart to pay for it.

Then we got apple cider and sat by the fire.

Kevin got up on our roof and put up lights.  The kids were thrilled and all the neighbors we impressed!  It was so fun to come home at night and see our house all decorated.

There they are watching dad and riding bikes.

We got the tree put up and the kids loved putting the star on top.  

Thanksgiving 2012

This year we realized it would be difficult to be with family for Thanksgiving because of Kevin's work schedule.  I knew it would be a very different holiday, but all we could do was to make the most of it.  Thanks to some very good friends, we didn't spend that day alone.  They invited us over to enjoy their feast. It was so fun for the kids to play with friends and to feel welcome there.

The men were working on the dinner together.

Everyone was ready to dig in!!!

Don't forget about the dessert!  Apple, pumpkin, and peanut butter chocolate banana cream pies!

It was hilarious watching the little kids play the Wii.  

Kati and Madison have become best friends, especially since Madison thinks she can get Kati to do anything she wants! 

This is what poor Kevin looked like most of the day- stuck to his work laptop.  But at least he could be with us that day!

On Sunday we did our miniature version of Thanksgiving dinner so that we could have some leftovers to enjoy.