White Elephant Extravaganza

We decided to throw a little white elephant party at the house to kick off the christmas season. We had about 40 people over and some hilarious white elephant gifts. Great night, lots of laughs, tonnes of food, I had a poutine station where they could make their own version of a Canadian tradition. We had such a blast, this may have to be a tradition.

Movie night

My good friend Rachel (right) has a very talented dad! He wrote the movie Christmas Eve that just came out into theaters, so we decided it was a great reason to have a movie night! It was a darling movie! He's also done other movies like The other side of Heaven. It was really cute and I highly recommend anyone goes to see it.

Also, any reason to down a gigantic blue icee is A-OK with me. 

Bookcase project

My latest project. I've been wanting to make a leaning bookcase for a while now, but it's been so hot in the garage until recently. So now that it's cooled off, and we have gotten things figured out with everyone with both school and medical wise. I thought it was time to start a new project. It's nothing fancy, but its all square and level, and I have a place for my piano books etc.

Soccer Shots for Graham

Another Soccer Shots Graduate! He loves to play soccer, his favorite part is sticking out his arms with one foot on the ball saying "control". 

He learned a lot, and loved the time he spent running around. Way to go Graham! Also, we love the fact that he can play outdoor soccer into December, we love the southern weather.

Morning buddy

My best morning date. Ikea meat balls, and my mamas girl. Turns out, when you go to Ikea during the week, it's a great place to be. 

I love our mornings, having one baby at home in the  mornings is bliss. Sometimes, she gets worn out by the time we go to pick up Graham. 

My gem

Eve is amazing. I was working on something in the garage after we all had dinner, and when I came inside, Eve said she had a surprise for me.

In walked Greta, freshly bathed, hair combed, pull up and jammies on. She said "I know your busy, and the house is kind of messy, so I wanted to help you,"

She's seriously the best, what 5 year old even notices the house messy? What 5 year old is perceptive enough to know that I seem busy? And what 5 year old knows exactly how to help me? She rocks, and I couldn't imagine life without my wonderful first born. 

Best buds

We had family movie night and watched the movie "inside out". Darling movie, kids really enjoyed it. But the best part, was that out of 7 feet of couch space, she always chooses the 6 inches next to him. She loves to sit so close to him. He used to scoot over and be bugged, but now he just lets her be close. And I love it! 

Our Black Friday

Our version of black friday wasn't filled with crowded shopping, or searching for deals. We went to the gym, costco, and hung out as a family. We went bowling, and it was hilarious. We basically had the place to ourselves, and the kids had a blast. They could carry their own bowling balls (6-7 lbs) and get them to the top of the slide, and Braden then helped them steer and push them down. 

Greta struggled carrying the ball, but she's stumble around and say "I got this, I got this!"

Basically, the day was perfection.

Thanksgiving Day parade!

This is the only way to watch a parade. Front row seats on a deserted balcony at Dad's work building. No crowds, no traffic, no parking problems, this was great! It also helped that it was a sunny 50+ degrees out. 

The kids loved it, but even they have their limits. Eve loved the marching bands, Graham loved the cars, and Greta just kept talking about her pockets. We didn't make it through the whole thing, but we had a blast.

Look a like

I'm on the left and Greta on the right. I got this from my parents, and i think I am about the same age as Greta in this picture. It's crazy how much we look a like! 

Eve's Thanksgiving party

I got to bring the babes with me to see Eve preform in her thanksgiving show, she was the cutest little pilgrim! She even made a cute Indian hat for Greta to wear. I love seeing her at school, she's really in her element. 

Daddy

I loved him immensely when I married him, but seeing him be such a good dad makes it even stronger. He's amazing. Also, Greta still loves to be held like a baby, she'll come to you with a blanket and say "bee bee". 

Soccer Shots -Eve

This little cutie graduated from Soccer Shots! She decided that she wanted to take a year off dance class, and try something different. So we tried out soccer.

She had so much fun this fall, she learned a lot and also learned that she likes to be goal keeper. She was the tiniest one on the field, but that didn't stop her, she was a rock star! Way to go Eve!

Graham's Thanksgiving party at Preschool

I got to be the room mom for his Thanksgiving party, it was so cute! And as it turns out, 3 year olds are really easy to please. A little pizza, fruit, and treats mixed with a craft and they are happy. 

Also, Greta was thrilled! At the start of the year Greta would cry when we would take Graham in to class, scared I would leave her there too. After getting to stay for his party, she loved it! She just acted like one of them. She went on their trip to the bathroom, stood against the wall and waited for the line leader, sat at their tables, etc. It was awesome to get to hang out with Graham, and also awesome that Greta thinks she's ready for preschool next fall....even if I'm not. 

I guess he was tired.

I opened the door, and heard a thunk. He didn't even move.

Graham's week with Auntie April

Graham got to have his special week with auntie April. She's the best! When they are with her, it's fun and lots of games, but it's also a place where they eat their veggies, clean up their messes, and help out in the kitchen. I love the relationship she has with the kids, it's nice to have in our family, and I know Graham loves the son of April's employer Lisa. Graham loved having Ethan as his make shift big brother. And Ethan is so good with him, how many 16 year olds would let a little one play video games with them, and let them hang out with them all the time? Not many, he's a special one.

We sure missed our little man, but April kept us updated with plenty snapchats and pictures. 

Savannah Half Marathon

I had the pleasure of running my first half marathon! It's something I've wanted to do, I just never thought I'd do it after having 3 kids! I got to have a great weekend with a bunch of my friends from the ward, some ran the half marathon relay and a few of us did the full half. But we did enjoy some time away just the girls, Shopping, chocolate eating, and lots of chatting. Braden was a real gem taking friday off work and staying home with the girls. (Graham was in DC having his week with auntie April). 

It was an incredibly hot and HUMID day. I actually saw a handful of people along the race getting taken away in ambulances because they had collapsed. It was a hard race due to weather conditions, but I finished, and I beat the time I had hoped for. So all in all, It was a great weekend! Rascal Flatts was there waiting at the finish line preforming an outdoor concert. 

My first half marathon time: 2:09 

Gift Basket for Eve

The University of Chicago Celiac disease center really outdid themselves. Eve received a large gift basket full of gluten free goodies, coupons, samples, restaurant lists, magazines, recipes, and even a special book. It is a darling book called "The trouble that Jack had". It talks about Jack, and his diagnosis, and how he was so cool for being gluten free and grew up to be strong, and healthy. It's quite cute, and Eve was so excited. 

We have really stressed to her that this little thing she has to deal with makes her special, it doesn't hold her back. And this wonderful gesture sealed the deal. They made a special 5 year old girl feel absolutely wonderful.

Trick or Treating

A family of supers! We got good use out of the christmas pjs the watsons sent for christmas last year. It made halloween so easy, all I had to do was make some capes, and voila! We are approaching the end of the kids letting me have us match, so I figured I'd take advantage of that while they let me! 

Happy Halloween!

The kids did very well! Greta would run up to the house and shout "chuck a treat!" 

 Eve knew she could only really have skittles, so she would dig through candy bowls and find as many skittles options as she could. There wasn't much of a need though, in our house, the "candy fairy" comes after they've gone to bed and trades their candy for a new toy. *we then hand out the candy to trick or treaters that come by after they have gone to bed. They get to keep two or three treats, but the rest the fairy kindly takes.