Brrrr...

Baby it's cold outside! In the last week or so the temps have dipped low, but it's been clear blue skies and pretty sunny for these parts at this time of year. Night before last Old Man winter paid a little visit and we got more of the white stuff. This is my fourth winter in Yakima and I have to say the season is starting to grow on me. If you've known me any length of time, you know that I have definitely come a long way in admitting that!! Next month, January, will be my biggest hurdle...it is so long and can be very dark and dreary, but then comes February, that breeze of a month and then it's smooth sailing from there. But we'll make the best of it while it's here and oh, snow makes for some good photos!!


All bundled up!



Wearing all these winter layers is a balancing act!



Good thing snow is a soft landing...



Yes, that's an ax...no comment!



Andrea said this is the "money shot"...that's photog talk for a good pic I think? I take that as a big compliment from her!

Oh this camera is going to be too fun!

Guess...

What



I



Got



For



Christmas??

Watch out Bloggees...there's a new photog in town!!!! As you can see I've already taken several photos with my new toy. Brian and I were totally blown away by this generous gift from his mom and dad!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

First Haircut

About a week or so ago, I took my two small (and sickish) children out in the freezing cold...(why I pick such a time to do these things, who knows), as I was saying, we ventured out to cut those precious curls belonging to my beloved red head!


She sat very patiently soaking it all in...oh and bribes come in handy!



It still amazes me that I have a red curly haired girl...crazy genes!



Almost done!



Ok, this one was taken with my cel, so the quality isn't great, but the expression is priceless! She did not want to show off the new do..



I think some women would pay big bucks for this!!



Hopefully some day she'll appreciate how unique it is...

Another milestone marked off the list and a little baggy of baby hair put away for the memory!

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time!

I love Christmas! The sights, the sounds and the smells. It is especially fun to have children to share it with now and see the excitement in their eyes. Olivia is following in my Christmas-loving footsteps and I am looking forward to starting traditions with our family. This year we are staying home and hoping for a white Christmas! I do miss my family and friends far away, but I know we are near in our hearts.

In the hustle and bustle of this Season we rejoice in our many blessings and are especially grateful for the Peace in our hearts!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!!

Six Months

Are you ready for some cuteness???


Six months old and sitting in my high chair!



Yep, I am mostly mellow and mild mannered...my mommy asked God specifically for that!



And I'm pretty cute to boot!


Malory is a happy and healthy girl! At her six month check up she was a whopping 17 pounds 15 ounces and 26 inches. She loves to laugh (especially at her big sister), take baths, eat rice cereal with fruit and roll over on to her tummy. She is just about sitting up without help and would jump most of the day in her jumper if we let her. We love you little Mal!!

Let it Snow!

On Friday, we ventured out to continue the tradition! . Unfortunately, we did not get a tree...now with two small kids and a whimpy me not wanting to go on these narrow mountain roads with the BETTER trees, says my adventurous husband (opposites really do attract), looks like we'll be taking the narrow road to Home Depot this year. Oh well, it was still a fun day and made for some good photo opps. Snow really is the best backdrop I think!


Away we go!


Attempting a family photo


Oh well...better luck next year!

**please excuse the silly dates on the pics, I must remember to turn this off!!

Thanksgiving

My blessings..







We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our home! Some of the highlights were...


Setting the tables with the help of my good friend and decorator extrodanaire Jill!

Spending time with family...











The yummy feast!



Meeting Dan!



Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Malory's Milestones

The past month has proved to be a busy one for our littlest one. She is growing fast!



Two weeks ago she rolled over from her back to her tummy. It was so funny because we totally missed the first time she did it...always chasing that busy toddler of ours! But we managed to get the second or third time on camera.

She's also recently had her first foods...cereal sometimes with banana, just once a day for now. Yummy! She takes it like a champ, just like her sis did.



It's hard to believe she'll turn six months in less than a two weeks. She's almost sitting up without help and after helping to care for my friends one year old this past weekend, I'm bracing myself for the crawling stage, should be fun!

Looking back

Remember these? So fun to look back just one short year ago!

Cut to a few weeks ago, same scene, new addition and more hair for Liv!





Oh how I love these two!!

Thankful...

Even though I try to be thankful MOST of the time, I am always reminded at this time of year for the blessings in my life. I feel so blessed to have some wonderful friends! These girls are two of my favorites...

Hollie and Trish and I were, at one time, attached at the hip! Trish and I have been friends since college and she was my roommate for three years before I moved here and Hollie, her and I were constantly together - hanging out, vacationing, laughing in the good times and even crying during some hard trials! We were reunited this weekend and it was a blast. Something about these two...we live far but they are always near in my heart and when we're together it feels like we pick up right where we left off!


One of my faves!


Morning coffee together...just like the old days!


See Tricia's cute almost six month pregnant belly? Can't wait to see that 'lil boy!

Love you girls...THANK you for making the trip. It means more to me than you'll ever know!

Halloween

Instead of telling you the gory (pun intended) details of the day - don't worry no blood, only tears (not just from my kids eyes!) I'll just show you the cute pics and how we ended the day...happily ever after!


The Princess and her Pumpkin!


Impossible to get one of both of them looking at the camera


I love the cozy baby costumes


Liv and one of her best buds Micah

Honestly, I do love the fall, but I'm not so hot for Halloween! I'm happy when it's over because then it seems we're full speed ahead until Christmas...let the holiday season begin!