O Christmas Tree {adventure}!

Did I ever mention that it's never a simple task for us to get a Christmas tree? This year... no exception. We got a tree. Twice.

We had a fun adventure choosing a tree the first time. Picked it. Someone cut it down. Got it tied on and home without any mishap. The unfortunate thing is that a tree TOP looks very different up high than it does down low. It was WAY too tall for our house. Plus it was a split trunk so we couldn't even just cut the top or bottom. Strike one! The girls did enjoy petting the animals, though... and I mean they actually touched the animals... which is HUGE for them!

Attempt two was simpler and much quicker. The only tree lot in Canby. Open in the evening. We wouldn't have been able to dissuade the girls from getting a tree that very night. All Sydney could exclaim was, "Christmas tree! Now!" At least I love it, and it's beautiful!

Decorating was fun with the girls! They are very helpful... the tree looked lovely with groups of ornaments on their "favorite" sides. We never changed it because we love them to feel like they're contributing without us changing things (when it's OK to do so). They were pretty good about leaving ornaments alone and I can't recall if any broke this year.

This is Seoul's favorite corner with her special ornaments.

And here is the lovely addition to our house for the next month! Love it! Welcome Pokey!! (yes, we name our Christmas trees.) The girls enjoy the atmosphere and ask for the lights every day. Merry Christmas!

amazing friends

We are so lucky to have friends like the Springer Family! Every year we have a holiday get-together. The kids had fun with the gift exchange and the adults enjoyed the dessert :) They are such great people and we are lucky! The kids played... wrestled and played with the Nerf guns. It's so fun that we may not see each other often but we all pick up right where we left off. Love them!

Oops - I didn't do the red eye correction on any of the pics.

Our attempt at a kid photo didn't work out so well. Landin didn't want to get off the floor. Jr turned into the ladies' man with his arms around each girl!

{December 2012}

Canby "Light the Tree" tradition

Each year we've lived in Canby we attend the light the tree downtown by Wait Park to kick off the Christmas season. It's usually freezing cold, and this year was no exception with a bit of rain included. This year we had the added bonus of the girls being in the parade. No picture of Amanda, unfortunately, and the one of Ella is not the greatest. It's a fun tradition, though - Family time!

The girls love their Uncle Evan!

Yes, I'm pointing at the wrong girl - it was dark! Ella is right under my finger with the Santa hat.

Who doesn't love the big blow up things at Christmastime?!

Sydney and Grandma!

Seoul trying to see what's going on...

Love from Aunt Dana!

O Christmas Tree!

What a good looking brother and sister-in-law I have!

Kids must touch everything, right?

Love this little face!

Brother Knowlden from our ward dressed as an elf in stilts. Good family photos? What are those? Ha!

Our cute niece Ella!

{December 2012}

Play time!

Uncle David and Aunt Ashley came to visit... the girls had fun! Somehow I missed any pics with Ashley, but the girls had a very good time. The favorite activity was tug of war with the birthday Rapunzel braid (that has been the best cheap "toy" ever!). Sydney wanted to give her dolly a piggy-back ride... and you can see how it turned out. Uncle David thought it was hilarious, of course.

 {December 2012}

birthdays!

This cute boy had his 2nd birthday! It was a super fun party... leading to a great photo op! {Please forgive us  for taking pictures of our kids... and not the birthday kiddo!}

Happy 2nd Birthday buddy!

There were fun activities!

Cupcakes! (or at the girls pronounce: cupcapes)

Silly faces - like father, like daughter.

{December 2012}