Christmas Day...

 Christmas Day at Grammy and Wayne's home. 

 Blossom loves the village they set up.

She was also impressed with the candy canes on the tree.  

She talked about them for weeks after Christmas. 

 I think Grammy will have to keep that tradition. 

 The table was decorated like a beautiful package with a bright red bow.

Merry Christmas 2016!

Ending the day in comfy Christmas pj's from Auntie Jodie.

Christmas Eve...

Noon Road Tree Farm...

 Christmas trees at the nearby u-cut farms are getting scarce.  

The trees need a couple years to grow and mature. 

 But we did find one early in December and we felt pretty lucky.

 Blossom liked the little trees.

 It was cold and there was a light drizzle so we wanted to find a tree quickly. 

 This might have been our fastest tree find ever. In and out in about 30 minutes.

Tall and skinny - the perfect tree for our home.

Gingerbread Decorating 2016...

A wonderful holiday tradition = how much candy can my kids pack onto this little house.

 DJ and AJ's roof look great.  The candy is piling on.

Blossom loved this activity.  Hopefully CJ will help her again next year.

The Nutcracker Ballet...

Blossom and I have been planning for the Nutcracker for almost a year.  We've read stories and watched little movies.  We've talked about getting dressed up, going out to dinner and then going to watch the ballet. And that is exactly what we did Saturday November 26th.

 

At almost 3 years old, Blossom did talk through the entire performance but so did some other little ones. She has so many questions about everything.  Next year we'll go to another production of the Nutcracker.  Hopefully she won't talk quite as much during the actual performance.   I'd like to work us up to the ballet in Seattle in a few years.  I'm so excited!

Christmas Day...

Christmas is extra special with little ones.  

 I love taking pictures of little sister and all the people who think she's amazing.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve.  

Blossom loves the trains!

The big one under the tree...

and this little one going around inside.

 Gifts to open from Auntie Jodie.

Some super cute kiddos in new Christmas pajamas.

And the peace of a Christmas tree at home when all have gone to bed.

2015 Christmas Tree...

 We tried out a new tree farm this Christmas.  Small's off Northwest just down from Boxx Farms.  I had heard that they have skinny trees and that's just the kind I like for my house.

The prices were great.  We paid $25.00.

 It was a wet day but that's to be expected.

All the men folk were hoping Blossom would make a clear choice on the tree but not this year. Maybe next year she'll get to help pick the tree.

Our kids did a great job decorating and I love the glow of the lights at evening time.

December Days...

 Catching up a little.  I turned 43 in December.  Josh and the boys gave me a wonderful evening at home and I also went out to dinner with family. 

 In December Josh flew to California with the Professor to pick up a truck and trailer from his Dad.  We will be using this to travel to speech tournaments and have some great family adventures I imagine.  I'm so thankful not to have to tent camp anymore.  I'll leave that to the Boy Scouts.

 The Scientist is an awesome big brother and Blossom's playmate during much of the day.  

All the boys are great teachers and her knowledge and vocabulary blow me away each day.

 Chess continues to feed this boy's mind and he plays whenever he can.  Even during a trip to visit veterans at Meadow Greens.

 During the Christmas shopping season I loved my Tuesday mornings out with my sweet daughter.  She brings a smile to everyone we meet and gives them big smiles and a confident "HI!"

I loved finding this awesome deal at the Little Red Wagon in Lynden. 

 It was like new with a better than great price.

Our next outing was to get the Christmas tree...