Our First Snow

I absolutely love the snow, I wish we got snow more, all winter long actually. There should be a rule that if it's going to be as cold as it is here in the winter, it should just snow! My favorite is that first snow, the one where you go to bed at night with those first few flakes coming down and you just can't wait to look out the window in the morning. And then when you do look out everything is covered in that perfect white, clean snow...ahhhh. I couldn't wait to show Hudson the snow on Sunday morning, our first perfect snowfall!

He looks so grown up to me here

Even Charlie put on her snowsuit for some fun

Ryan throwing a snowball at Hudson....

And then proceeding to laughing hysterically. Parenting at it's finest!

Cookie Exchange

I hosted a Cookie Exchange Party this year and it was so much fun! My friend Elesha was nice enough (and smart enough!) to buy large Holiday platters for everyone to take home their treats, thanks Elesh! There were cookies & bars of all kinds, toffee, and peppermint bark. Everyone really out did themselves! I learned a lot about my friends by watching them make their trays. I learned that my friend Natalie is a type A such as myself...look at that perfect tray!!

The next four Stroller Strides moms to add baby #2 to their family! Melissa, Kelsie, Elesha, and I are passing down the prego torch to Teresa, Nadine, Sam, and Natalie (remember when I warned you about the water in my Stroller Strides group, um yeah...)

Thanks Ladies for making this year's Cookie Exchange a HUGE success, I can't wait for our 2nd Annual Exchange next year!! (Not pictured do to early departure: Tami, Rachel, Nikki, and Wendy)

Charlie enjoyed the party too in her adorable winter dress that I had been looking for a reason to get her in!

Random Fun

Ryan insists that Charlotte is big enough for the saucer, so here she is, hangin' out in the saucer!

She actually does fine if she keeps her arms out to the sides, but that doesn't last long and she normally ends up with her hands inside the chair part which makes her bobble forward. Maybe it's just me refusing to believe that she is 3 months old, super strong, and probably is ready for the saucer...sigh.

Help from Big Bro, of course ;)

Random shot of Huddy and Charlie under the tree. For whatever reason, Ryan wants to let Hudson's hair grow out. He's actually being quite stubborn about it! I guess I just need to deal with the fact that Hudson will have this hair for his 2nd birthday and Christmas, lol!!

Hudson loves olives and of course loves to have them put on his fingers. Normally I just put them on his pointer fingers, but he got spoiled the other night and had them on all 5 fingers! We all had a good laugh.

Swimming

Hudson's friend Gabriel just had his 4th birthday and we helped celebrate with a swim party at the Mountlake Terrace Pool. Hudson had a BLAST in the water with Ryan. We had heard about the Mountlake Terrace Pool from friends, but had never been. We will definitely go back again, the pool was very kid friendly with lots to do. I highly recommend it for kids of all ages! Thank you Karen for hosting such a fun birthday party and for holding Charlie the whole time so I could take pictures!

1, 2, 3...dunk!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

We went to a U-Cut Farm this year in Monroe called St. Nick's per my sister-in-law's recommendation. It was a really cute farm with tractors, warm cider, and 3 different styles of trees to choose from. I don't remember the name of the tree we picked, but it's the kind that smells the most like Christmas. Thanks for the recommendation Sarah, such a great spot!

All bundled up and looking for the perfect tree!

Yes, we let Hudson hold the saw, what were we thinking?!?

Hudson is making sure Daddy got a clean cut

Pretending to drive the tractor

Our smiley girl, 3 months old on this day!

Happy 30th Korey

My friend Molly recently threw a really fun Cowboy & Karayoke themed birthday party for her husband Korey's 30th birthday. Ryan and Korey have been friends since junior high and Korey is one of the first in their group to turn 30. The plan initially was to bring Charlie, but she took a bottle from my mom on Thanksgiving, so it was our first night out sans kids!! We only stayed a few hours, but had so much fun. It felt nice to get back to us and spend time with friends and not have to worry about if someone needed a diaper change or to eat!

Korey was the first to take the mic

Ryan's friend Ryan...always a comedian!

Hawks Holiday Party

Every year the Seahawks host a Holiday Party for Suite Owners. I really look forward to it as they have the best Santa in town!! The pictures always turn out really cute too. We aren't looking at my camera in these though as we are looking at the photographer that was at the party. Hudson did really well with Santa this year. He didn't want to sit on his lap however, but he didn't cry which is a step up from last year. Charlotte was oblivious of course and didn't care one way or the other!

Thanksgiving

I hosted Thanksgiving at my house this year with the intention that I would learn how to make my Mom's stuffing and the turkey. Truth be told, my mom ended up doing it! My sister got into town Wednesday evening, so I had her there bright and early Thursday morning as well. Before putting the bird in the oven, I showed it to Hudson so he could see that we really were getting our revenge on the "Bad Turkey" that bit his lip (see posting in October titled Remlinger Farms). Hudson looked at the turkey for a bit before saying "He's in trouble". It was HYSTERICAL!! Between my mom, sister, and I, we had dinner in the oven, crockpot, or on the stove by 10:30am! Funny how it takes all day to prepare a meal that is eaten in minutes and leaves the kitchen looking like a tornado hit it. Dinner was fabulous though, one of my favorites that I look forward to every year.

The next day, black Friday, my mom, sister-in-law, sister, and I all braved the crowds and went Christmas shopping. I have never attempted this before, but was glad that I did. I was able to get my nieces, nephews, some of the adults, all of Hudson's birthday and Christmas presents done!! We were out from 7am until 5pm!

We didn't take very many pictures on Thanksgiving, but we did finally get a shot of all 6 grandkids!

What a good looking bunch!