December

Olaf and Santa came to the library! I was hesitant to go because it was an evening activity at 5 (dinner time!) and I figured there would be tons of people. There were. It was hard to walk around. Annika cried when Olaf and Santa came out (not the child I expected to cry). But they ended up having a great time playing a few games and drinking hot chocolate. I love having a local library!

Poor Essie! She fell from standing on a kitchen chair. She hit a round container on the ground, as you can see, right over her eye. She didn't bleed much and didn't end up with a black eye. It could have been much worse!

We went to Wenatchee the first Saturday of December. We met Papi and Mission Ridge and played in the snow for a bit. Then we went down the mountain a few minutes and hiked in to find our Christmas tree! It was more hiking than we had planned on. And there was not a plethora of perfect trees. Janelle let us use their truck and we got them a tree too. It was hard to find two good trees and Benson was pretty spent after about 10 minutes. So we settled for some mediocre trees and had a great time finding them. I loved it! David isn't sure if he wants to do it again. And we ended up getting a big artificial tree on the 26th at Lowes (we picked it out the same day we went to visit Papi the first part of December. It was one of three display trees that were left when I got there at 10:30 am on the 26th! We got if for 175, half off.). So, I don't think we will be cutting down our own tree for awhile. Maybe when the kids are older.

"mountain climbing" at Mission ridge

snow angel

Esther wasn't sure what to think of the snow. She giggled when I put her on the hill and let her slide down on her bum. I think she liked it overall.

mountain climbing and then sliding down

spousal selfie

our tree!

they couldn't be any cuter!

Annika had a tea party for Daddy when he got home from work- a fruit tea party!

going outside to burn boxes. They burn boxes at least once a week. I'm pretty sure David loves it more than the kids do.

reading books while Benson tickles Esther's neck

we made gingerbread houses with Michelle. We love having Janelle and her family live three doors down from us!

The ward Christmas party. Annika chose to dress up as an angel. I made her skirt from an old pillow case. She was very unsure about singing up there. She has always been so confident and enjoyed performing. But since around the end up September, I've noticed her self confidence slightly decreasing. She ended up staying on the stage after some coaxing and I sat right in front of them on the floor. Benson has been surprising me lately with the things he is willing to try in public. I'm so glad they are close in age. They are already a strength and comfort to each other. 

Annika loves to pose her babies and take their pictures :)

Annika got a new booster car seat!

Go Chiefs! We were so excited that this 9-12 month boys shirt fits her! :) I ordered it and figured a future baby could wear it if it didn't fit her. David loves it!

Brandon and Janelle came over on a Sunday and brought dessert. Have I mentioned how much we love them!

there is a ledge along the stair case that is perfect for letting cars ride down!

the kids emptied the whole book case and made their own "library." I did suggest this activity, but I thought they would get like 10 books out. It turned into a big mess when Annika was looking for a blanket later that day and dumped all of the books off of the chest that holds the blankets. But, now they are very organized on the shelves.

Sisters! I had to bring all of the kids to YW in Excellence with me because David was playing in a staff volleyball tournament. It was a pain to have Esther there, at bedtime. But the program turned out well! I was in charge of it. The theme was "Walk Tall, You're a Daughter of God." The girls sang that song and we had a few speakers.

Annika started Karate! I'm hoping it is a confidence booster as she pushes her to get out of her comfort zones. She has only gone to one class. She ran back to me several times saying she didn't want to do it. I told her "if you choose not to leave now, we're not going to come back for any more classes. But I know you can do new things." With those words, and me letting Benson join her, she ended up finishing the class and she loved it! Benson can't do it until he is 4. He will be pretty bummed when that sinks in at the next class when I don't him run out there with her. He got really into it. Everyone was laughing when they were working on self defense and he was enjoying punching his teacher's stomach so much. :)

When Keenan was with us, we went to visit Grandma Stock. She made us lunch and let the kids open their Christmas presents- Nemo and Dory hats! I love that my kids will have fun memories with her, just like I do!

After Grandma's house, we went to the Gesa Carousel of Dreams and saw the reindeer outside. It was freezing!

We went to Scott and Crystal Harris' for a FHE Nativity play night. The Nygards and Hills were there too. It was a fun night. I love having good friends for neighbors.

Esther and Shaun. She loves her uncles. The tent thing is holding their cat, Sobe. I hated having the cat in our house while they stayed with us for 4 days. But, the kids loved it!

Zack's skiing gear :)

We spent a night at Cameo Heights Mansion to celebrate our 8th anniversary. I surprised David and booked a night in the German Suite. Unfortunately, I started getting a cold that afternoon. So I didn't enjoy it as much as. We went to Red Robin on our way. Yum! We watched the Scarlet Pimpernel and enjoyed the yummy snacks. I kept up by loud noises in the hallway (I think they were fixing the water heater. ugh) We took bubble baths in the morning and loved the hot chocolate and scones in bed. The breakfast downstairs was fabulous. We had yogurt parfaits and juice as appetizers and omelets for the main meal. We went to Costco after then headed home. Abby, Shaun, and Zack watched our kids. Annika and Benson both woke up during the night. But, Abby and Shaun wouldn't wake up when Annika tried. haha :) So, Zack helped both kids. They all slept in until like 7:30. So, not too bad. It was a lovely getaway. But, we decided that we would rather go for a day trip next year and sleep in our own bed.

more photography by Annika :)

We went to Heather and Nathan's for Christmas Eve. Sadly, Jessica's family had the stomach flu so they didn't come. We had ham and potatoes, a nativity play, and their kids opened their pjs while ours opened a gift from Matt (candy!). We went in the early afternoon and were out of there around 7. I love seeing the cousins play together!

Christmas morning! I think we got up around 6:30. Esther slept in until 9 (her schedule since Thanksgiving!), so she didn't make it in the "picture by the tree with all the presents." Annika made daddy an awesome "trophy" with her craft supplies. She made so many gifts and started them so early in the month, that she didn't remember what she had wrapped and who they were for. :) She also made David a Christmas book. Annika got Shopkins, a make a book kit, a model house to paint, flannel sheets, neon pink t strap flats, Trouble, and cashews :)

Benson got his long sought after saw! It's the one thing he has been asking for for the last 6 months. It was so cute to see his joy when he opened it. We went out and chopped down trees before church. Brrr. But so worth it to have that experience with him. I love this boy! He also got a ninja turtle costume, the Let's go Fishing game, and a bob the builder DVD, and cheetos :)

Esther finally woke up and opened her presents :) She got Finding Dory, bath toys, a pair of leggings and a skill board puzzle.

Church Christmas outfit. This girl is adorable!

We went to Wenatchee after church. When we were on our way Annika said "when we get there, can we just say hi and then open our presents." :) That's pretty much what they did. Annika got a microscope, binoculars, and the princess cupcake game. Benson got some power tools, tractors, and magformers. Esther got bath toys and some microfleece outfits. My dad gave us a camp stove for emergency preparedness and a pyrex cooking dish for steaming veggies. :)

the leggings she got for Christmas :)

Esther and Tyler when I said "smile" :)

We had the Vonbrachts over for an early NYE dinner. We did confetti poppers and snappers outside after. The kids LOVED it. So it was worth going out in the cold.

Amayah, Annika, and Chaim post "fireworks"