Christmas Tree Weekend

Saturday and Sunday we picked, set up, and decorated our tree.

We started out Saturday morning at a bakery in downtown Snohomish.

Don't worry - we shared that!

And then off to the tree farm.

But first, some attitude adjustments.....   :-)

The boys were super excited about the candy canes they got from the tree farm.

Setting up the tree -

Sunday night the boys opened their PJ's. Then Uncle Matt, Auntie Becca, and Dexter came over and we decorated the tree.

Poor Dexter!

All done.... and tired!

Advent at Our House

Just last night I finished up our Advent Calendar!

I struggle calling this "Advent Calendar" an "Advent Calendar" though. We don't have a wreath or candles or liturgy to read every night - we're just going to have fun counting down to Christmas.

Similar to a lot of my friends, each day the kids will get to open a small gift/activity/craft/etc...

And every night they'll open an envelope to see which "Jesus Storybook Bible" story we read before bed. (Following this schedule.)

We've started 7 days behind so we have some catching up to do!

With this being our first Advent Calendar/Christmas Countdown Extravaganza, I'm just playing it by ear. I'll definitely need to remember to check the night before and make sure there's actually something in the next pocket!

Why John is the Superior Parent -

Yep, they get to ride the horse.... every time.   :)

Baby Beth Update

Baby B is 27 weeks today!

I scheduled my c-section (love) for March 1st which means she will only be an inside baby for 12 more weeks - Woah.

I am happy to report that I (crossed fingers) haven't had to take any nausea medications for about 2 weeks. On the other hand, evening heart burn can get pretty bad... BUT, I know the worst is yet to come, so I'm not complaining one bit about any of it!

Thanksgiving Day bump - 25 weeks. I'm a short girl, ok!  ;-)

In these next 12 weeks, I'm hoping to accomplish a few big projects:

1. Finish the playroom - almost done, pictures soon.

2. Start and finish turning the boy's room into a big-kid room.

I love these colors.

With (hopefully) cherry wood bunk beds that can separate into twin beds that look exactly the same. (I know, picky much!)

With maybe a little of the stripe/initial action here.

3. Turn the extra room into a baby girl's room.

The bedding (minus the blanket) - with our cherry wood crib and maybe a grey/purple for the walls. We'll see once I get the bedding.

And maybe some of this sort of stripe action (of course different colors). 

And of course a ruffle curtain!

4. Last but not least, potty train this little monkey.

12 weeks to go - shouldn't be that difficult, right?   :)

Brothers

A few nights ago, I went to check on the boys and could only get my arm through the door to snap a picture.  (Yes, Nate is sporting the green and black crocs over his footie pjs. That's how he rolls!)

Lake Kachess

 We just got back from a weekend at a cabin in the woods - aahhhh......

The cabin was over on Lake Kachess. It has the same feel and similar layout to our "dream cabin". John has owed me a trip here since he had a GUY'S WEEKEND here without the ladies. (I know, the nerve!)

This is the view of the cabin from down the hill. It looks out over Lake Kachess and the surrounding mountains - beautiful!

We went with our friends Nick & Renae and their three kids. 

The boys loved hanging out with "Uncle Nick" all weekend.

We took a drive into Cle Elum to look at properties - we're nerds like that. Oh, and we may or may not have been completely illegal in the car.

One of our favorite spots -

Back at the cabin, we took the kiddos for a walk down to the lake. 

The boys had so much fun throwing rocks and sticks in the water. 

The buddies - James and Nate ask to see Luke every day now.

Hi!

John and I took the long way home via Leavenworth.

Lunch at Gustav's -

Then a walk around Leavenworth - 

We watched the brass quartet play for a few minutes, then the boys had fun running up and down the small hill.

Best part of the afternoon - Santa and Mrs. Clause were walking around the street taking pictures with people. James saw them and asked "Who those red people were". Maybe it's time to at least show them a picture of Santa....?   :)

After walking around for a bit, the boys got their (very first) cocoa at Starbucks and we headed home. 

Oh, the rocks. Did I mention the rocks? There is a store in Leavenworth that sells the teeniest-tiniest baggie of colored rocks for an exorbitant price. One of us is a big softie and got the boys each a bag - of rocks. Such a guy thing. But the boys love their rocks.   :-)

I love that the boys are getting old enough to enjoy cool stuff... Makes Christmas a whole lot of fun this year!