Christmas Tree Time!!

We were blessed with some non-rainy Oregon weather yesterday, so our tradition of getting our Christmas tree over Thanksgiving weekend was a very fun (and dry!) experience.

We once again went to Hagg's. Such a great farm, even if it is WAY out in the sticks!

Getting the kids' boots on.. they were SO excited!

Ready to find a tree!!

Evelyn trudging ahead up the muddy hill.. she couldn't wait!

The "ooooh ooooh"!! That is what Matthew calls dogs. This is the farm's dog. He was very friendly. He met us AT our truck and followed us around for a while, much to Matthew's delight!

Getting a kiss! :)

Group shot!

My sweet pea.. love her!

Matthew spotted something! Who could it be?

Yeah!! Jody and Lori found us!

The girls...

Jo Jo and the boy! He really was happy to see her, even if he wasn't smiling in this shot!
:)

After a while of looking, we found our tree!!
The "saw guys" getting ready to chop it down!

TIMBER!!!

My sweet family...

At the farm store, they have lots of animals, crafts, and food. Matthew LOVED petting the animals!

Evelyn, on the other hand, didn't like the smell!!

She opted for the fake animals instead!!

She loves nativities... and she had to have her picture taken with the one at the farm!

Afterwards we were going to go to the new Five Guys near our house.. until we found out it didn't open until Monday! So sad! Oh, well.. we hit McDonalds instead.

He must do it himself!!

Yummy lunch!

Time to go decorate and enjoy the Christmas spirit! LOVE this time of year!! Merry Christmas!

Gobble Gobble Gobble

I really do have SO much to be thankful for. Every day. Our Thanksgiving was full of family, food and fun. I didn't get many pictures, and the ones I did get aren't the best, but here is a glimpse at our day!!

In the morning, my friend Jody and I went for a long run, which was a great way to start the day. Then all of us, and I do mean ALL of us, read through all the ads that were in the paper. It was a pretty funny sight. All 4 of us, in different spots in the living room, looking through stuff. The kids LOVE looking at "catalogs" as Evelyn calls them. It was great to have a lazy morning.

Matthew loves Sam.. and Sam actually let him give him a hug. Very rare occurance! (... and notice the pile of "well loved" ads behind him!)

We started our festivites at Doug's aunts house. It was a nice gathering as usual. I am SO thankful to have married into the Morris family!

Some of the "grownup" chatting

My nephews brought a HUGH tackle box full of Hot Wheels. Matthew was in HEAVEN!! It kept him entertained the entire time!

We also, as usual, celebrated Matthew and Evelyn's birthdays with Doug's family. Always a highlight for both my kids!

A new digger.. so excited!

My sweet mother in law always make the kids individual "birthday pies". I think Evelyn gets more excited about it than presents!

This is the face he made every time the camera was out! Silly boy!

Happy Girl!

If you haven't heard Doug's family sing "Happy Birthday", you are in luck, cuz the vidoes are below. It makes me cry.. every time!

Matthew making sure he has ALL his diggers!

We left Mary's and headed to my mom's for a little bit. It was fun to see the cousins and hang with my family.

Evelyn and Regan

I. Love. Her.! She wanted to "dress pretty" today and was very excited about her dress!

Me and my sweet boy!

The girls in their fancy coats!

.. and that's all I have. Our day was full, fun, and lovely. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Grace

It has been a hard day with the kids. Not a lot of listening and obeying. Not many kind words shared between them. Not much sharing with each other. LOTS of redirection, distraction, discipline and tears. I had both proud and not so proud mom moments today as well.

Days like today I am thankful for grace.

And for the brief glimpse of my kids' true love for each other shining through to my camera a couple of times today!

"Look mom, we're the "Hat Team!"
(they played nicely for almost 20 minutes!)

Cinderella dancing with her prince at the ball! It was a sweet moment.

Small moments of grace. They kept me going today.

Here's to a better day tomorrow!!

Halloween 2011

I was acutely aware that this is the last year that I will be able to "do" halloween the way we have since Evelyn has been born. Next year she will be in kindergarten (sigh...) so things will be different. So.. I made the most of today with my favorite little people!

My sweet pumpkin and cute ladybug!

Per our usual routine we started our "rounds" at Doug's office. His coworkers are like our second family, and they always enjoy seeing the kids and always have candy for them!

Trick-or-Treating with "Mr. Chris"!

Since ladybugs apparently eat bananas, "Mr. Michael" tried to give Evelyn a banana, not know that she does NOT like them. At all. I love her face in this picture!

I think the kids were more excited about coloring on "the big board" at Doug's office than getting candy!!

My sweet family!

We then made our other stops. First, the hospital where I used to work. Jody wasn't working but we got to see some of my old coworkers who I love and miss. A lot. Its always nice to go back to my other "home"!

Evelyn and "Miss Lori". She had treats for the kids.. so sweet!

Then, it was off to Grandma's work!

They love their Grandma!!

Then it was off to Jody's! Both the kids were getting tired of having their picture taken at this point!

Then once the sun went down.. it was time to head out for some trick or treating!!

Headed out!

Evelyn was SUCH a big helper and showed Matthew the ropes..as well as held his hand. It was pretty sweet to see them together!

Enjoying the walk around the neighborhood!

Evelyn and our neighbor/babysitter Miss Sarah. Both kids thought it was silly that she dressed up!

Happy with her loot!!

What a beautiful night. Lot of stars, cute kids, and candy. Happy Sugar High!!