Let the season begin . . .

The day after Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year. It is the beginning of the Christmas season in our home. Today we went to see Santa and have the kids' pictures taken with him. We have gone to the same place the Friday after Thanksgiving for the past five years. This year Andrew was not about to let go of dad. He had the death grip on Kelly and was not letting go for any reason or anyone. So Kelly decided that he would sit with Drew while he talked to Santa. Since he would be in the picture, Kelly suggested that I sit in the picture also. I did not come prepared to be in a family Santa picture. I would have done something to my hair instead of the standard pony tail, but whatever. It is all part of our family story that we write with our daily events.

Here is the 2009 Santa picture:

It was still early in the day by the time we where through with our "family portrait." The weather was still nice outside. Nice in the Northwest means not raining. So we decided to go and get our Christmas tree. We usually get it the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but with the weather being so unpredictable out here, we decided to take advantage of the good weather. We went to our local U-cut Christmas tree farm. It is a nice family owned place. We have gone there for the past few years and enjoy the trees they have to offer.

I love this picture of Andrew. It reminds me of my dad. Silly I know, but I have a memory of the family going up into the the hills in California to cut our own tree. In that picture in my memory my dad has on a down jacket almost the same color as Andrew's, though my dad's was stained with car oil.
Earlier in the day we stopped in a local store to pick up a few things. Jacob had to have this Santa hat so I said, "I will buy you this hat if you promise to wear it." He wore it all day. I even had to take it off him after he fell asleep. He wanted to wear it all night. I am so blessed with cute kids!

I tried to get a picture of everyone in front of the tree we picked as a family. This is the best picture from the batch. Andrew had melted, Kelly was being silly, and Jacob wouldn't hold still.

What a great day! Tomorrow we will decorate and bring the tree in. Yeah. . . --emily

We are thankful for . . .

our favorite lady. Emily/mom is the prettiest, most talented, hardest working person we know. We love her with all our hearts.

--Kelly, Jacob and Andrew

I am thankful for

a husband that has learned how to juggle family, career, and going back to school.

Jacob who is a healthy happy boy who can run and play.

Andrew who is silly and always knows when to laugh.

Gordon who is so loving to our family.

I am so grateful for so many things our family unit our home our health. We have been blessed in so many ways. Hope you all have a wonderful happy and healthy Thanks Giving! --emily

Snuggles

The other day I was getting ready for the day and the boys where being so good and quiet! Andrew had gathered all the cozy things he could find: animals, pillows, and blankets. He piled them onto the dog bed, then he snuggled in with Mr. Gordon dog. They played like this for a long time. It is so amazing the relationship the two of them have. Andrew loves our dog so much and Mr. Gordon sure loves our little Andrew! --emily

Taco Soup

Fall has come and winter is on it's way. 'Tis the season for a good warm soup. This is one of my favorite soups to make and eat. Please enjoy!

Taco Soup:

2 cans of corn with juice

1 / 28oz. can of diced tomatoes with juice

1 can black beans with juice

1 qt. of box creamy tomato soup

1 lb. Ground turkey breast

Dried minced onions

1 packed of dried taco seasoning

Chips

Sour cream

Cheddar cheese

In my crock pot I open and pour all the canned ingredients--corn, tomatoes, beans, creamy tomato soup--and turn my pot onto warm. Then I brown the meat on the stove top. While browning the meat I sprinkle it with dried minced onions about 4 table spoons. When the meat is completely cooked and drained, I add a cup of water and 1 pack of taco seasoning and let it boil for about 5 min. Then I add the meat to the crock pot with the rest of the ingredients. Turn the crock pot on for at least 8 hrs. low. I usually serve this over low salt or no salt chips top with a dollop of sour cream and grated cheese. Sooo good .... --emily

Jawa

Often during Andrew's nap time, Jacob and I will do a project of some sort. Today Jacob designed this guy--a jawa. Jacob has been talking about jawas since he watched Star Wars with his dad a few weeks ago. I asked Jacob what he wanted to make, and he drew the jawa on a piece of paper, picked the fabric he liked, then we cut him out of Jacob's pattern. Jacob helped turn the knob on the sewing machine as I sewed the jawa together. Jacob stuffed him with stuffing all by himself. He picked green for his jawa's eyes so they would match his, and he drew a heart on him so he would be alive. I stitched his name on. It was a fun afternoon project. I think we might have to do something like this again. Jacob had a great time.

--emily

Happy Halloween

On Halloween we celebrated Andrew's second birthday with friends and family. We had good doughnuts and cider instead of cake and ice cream. It was a fun time. Drew opened a few gifts before we ventured out for some trick or treating.

Here is a picture of the kids right before we headed out the door.

The weather was what we would expect for a Halloween evening, it was drizzly and chilly. The kids had a great time anyway. I love our community for holidays such as this. Our neighbors all get involved. The sidewalks are covered with kids and parents. It is such a fun sight! I enjoy saying Hi to neighbors and friends as we see them out with their kids. It is tradition for my parents to come over and pass out candy at our house so both Kelly and I can go out with the kids.

This year Kelly's mom and step dad joined us for this fun weekend.

--emily