Christmas 2014

Updates on Clifton -
He is very anxious for baby to get here.  The day after Christmas he said "Christmas is done now when is baby coming?  Today?" And he continues to ask everyday.  If I only knew!

Updates on McKay -
She is three!  I swear it was just last Christmas that I was in the hospital with her.  She is growing so fast.

Updates on Baby #3 -
39 weeks!  And hoping this is the last pregnancy post and next time it will be about our new baby.

Monday night we spent the evening with Evan's family.  They are so nice and made dinner for us and then we switched gifts.

A fun evening with great friends.

Wednesday we went to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate McKay's birthday (we had to do it a day early since her birthday is on Christmas).

It's such a simple tradition to take them for their birthday but they sure love it!

That night was Christmas Eve and we kept to our tradition of pjs, slippers, and a new movie.

The kids were very happy with the pj selection this year and we enjoyed the evening watching our new movie How to Train a Dragon 2.

Thursday was Christmas!

This picture captures it all!  A great morning opening presents just as a family.
Later that morning we traveled to Alex's family and had more Christmas celebrating.

Lots of fun and lots of snuggles :)

Friday afternoon my mom came to town to help and hope that baby comes soon.  Just in time too because Alex woke up sick with Strep.
Saturday we went out to play and explored the Poulsbo Marine Center.

It was our first time going and I was very impressed.  A cute place to explore and free.  A fun morning out.

McKay's Birthday Party 2014

Updates on Clifton -
He is getting really excited for Christmas.  Our first year of having a kid old enough to understand what is to come and counting down to it.  He reminds me everyday to switch the count down blocks and to read the message/activity to do for that day.  He really makes the Christmas spirit even more alive in our house.

Updates on McKay -
She is turning three so she gets to do classes at the Y.  So I signed her up this week for her first class starting in January.  I signed her and Clifton up for an art class.  We are both really excited!

Update on Baby #3 -
38 weeks and SO ready!  The swelling has come and in full force :/  I thought I would escape it this time.  The other weird thing is my eye twitches all the dang time.  Not sure if it is related to pregnancy but its quite annoying.  This week the doctor said I lost a pound and now measuring small and that it could be a sign baby will be coming soon.  I sure hope so!

For FHE we went to look at Christmas lights at a house in Port Orchard that goes all out.  Even better than zoo lights if you ask me and its free!

I've never meet the family that lives here but they must be awesome!  After lights we had to stop and get some hot coco.  A great night.

Tuesday I set up a time to go caroling with friends.

It was kind of a hassle to set up so much that I thought maybe this would not be a tradition in our home, but as soon as we got there and started singing it was all worth it.  The smiles that the kids brought to faces made me so happy.  So this will be something we do every year!

Thursday was my last day of teaching preschool till after baby.  It was a fun day and I have been so blessed to be able to do preschool with my kids and some friends.

We went to get frozen yogurt to celebrate preschool and for them being so good for me.  A fun outing!

Friday we went to our wards Christmas party.

Santa was a little scary this time, probably because he didn't come baring gifts :) But eventually we got them to go say hi.

Saturday we got together with friends to celebrate McKay's third birthday a little early.

She requested an animal party.  I saw a cute idea to have an adopt a pet party.  So I stole the idea.  We choose an animal, made collars, and decorated the bag to take them home in.  I let McKay pick out the animals she wanted to adopt - she choose dolphins and whales.  Then she chose zebra print plates, and dog and butterfly decorations.  It was defiantly a three year old girls party.

It was a wonderful party.  I sure love this girl to pieces!

Sunday for primary we put together a nativity lesson for the kids to help act out.

It was such a nice way to celebrate Christmas Sunday.  I love serving with the children in our ward, they have a wonderful spirit.  I am so blessed.

After church we went to celebrate Christmas early with Alex's family.  Some of the family will be going to Utah for Christmas so we wanted to get together before they leave.

All the kids were in their Christmas Sunday outfits looking adorable.  We sure enjoy getting together with family for any reason.

Updates on McKay -
She is no longer napping and I am just fine with that.  She sleeps in a little later (usually) because she doesn't nap and goes straight to bed at night.

Updates on Clifton -
Clifton has been saving up pennies and coins he finds.  And he has an eye for coins.  He finally saved up a little more than a dollar.  We talked about tithing and had him pull his ten percent out.  Then we went to the store to pick something out with his money.  He was shocked with how little a dollar could get him (tough realization).  But he had fun buying it all buy himself and felt so big and important.  He choose a pack of gum.

Updates on Baby #3 -
37 weeks and having contractions.  Once it got pretty painful that I almost thought it was baby time.  But it wasn't! Hopefully soon, just not another Christmas baby.

Monday we got a package at our door from Aunt Andrea.  And it was ninabread men kit.  Clifton has always called gingerbread ninjabread making it an even better thing.  Yep Andrea is pretty much one of the coolest Aunts ever.  The kids were so wicked excited and it arrived on a great day since we promised the kids we'd go see christmas lights for FHE but it was raining pretty good.  So we made these!

Super cute.  And my house smelt like gingerbread all night. YUM!

Our favorite activity from the Christmas Christ Centered List was making cookies for friends/neighbors.

I am pretty sure there was more sprinkles than cookie :)

My kids have not been able to meet Baby Ella, Kathryn's new baby, yet.  We were all so super happy to be able to make a visit this week.

She is insanely adorable and the kids fell in love right away.  It was also nice for them to be able to play with Baylee and Madi, they have missed them.  We sure love our awesome friends!

Thursday night I was coming home after a meeting and a huge explosion blew over my head while driving.  I slammed on my brakes mainly because I was shocked and blinded by the light.  Then a little after a tree fell right by me.  A transformer blew right above me.  My heart was beating so fast.  I was almost home and when I got there I was shaking from fear.  But fear quickly turned to feeling blessed.  The power went out and the kids were having a blast playing with flash lights.  And we set up candles, ate snacks, read books, and played games.  It turned into one of the funniest nights.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and fun family.

The rest of the week was full of partying.  I had the RS cookie exchange, an ugly sweater party and ended the week with a bow making party for a friends new baby girl coming soon.

It is always nice to get together with friends and celebrate.

Sunday McKay came into primary for music time to help prepare her for the transition into a Sunbeam.  She loved it.  It helps that the music leader let her hide in a box and play a game.  But the cutest thing happened.  She spotted Clifton and went to sit with him.

They liked each other for a little while and it was so cute!  Love these two so very much.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

Updates on McKay -
She loves to blow dry her hair.  When I suggested it she was terrified but after we finished she loved it and asks to do it all the time now.

Updates on Clifton -
He ask the silliest questions all the time.  Like are blue and brown the same color?  Are they close to the same color? What color is yellow in the dark? What happens if its nine days till Christmas? What happens if Christmas is Halloween?  Those are just a few examples.

Updates on Baby #3
36 weeks! And it has hit hard.  I am so tired and achy.  Moving has become really hard and it hurts to move.  But I am trying my darnedest to keep active and keep my mind off of the pain and discomfort.  It helps to be busy.

Monday was the first of December and time for the Christmas tree to come up.  I love this time of year!

 My favorite ornament, thanks to my awesome sister in law!

A wonderful evening welcoming the Christmas spirit.

Tuesday for preschool we went to our friends house to do the annual gingerbread house decorating.

Oh how I love these little traditions.  What a wonderful time we had with friends.

This week we also started a 25 day activity countdown to Christmas that helps us remember the true meaning.  My kids have been loving it thus far.

Their favorite this week was eating dinner by candle light.  Silly how little things add so much excitement.

Saturday we went to Alex's work Christmas party.

Clifton and I discovered while getting ready that we have matching sweaters.  Clifton insisted we get one for McKay and Alex too.

At the party Santa came and brought gifts.  This is the first year they were not terrified of him:)

That night Port Orchard had their Christmas tree lighting festival.

McKay wanted in on the matching so we got our head bands out and she insisted we take a picture.

Tractor ride through our little town is always fun.  I sure love Port Orchard.

Sunday we walked through our Stakes Nativity.

Every year we greatly enjoy walking through and helping with the nativity.  I sure love love love this time of year and all the exciting things there is to do.