Tree Farm 2011

This year I was BOUND AND DETERMINED to start a new tradition – cutting down our Christmas tree at a tree farm.  This was a tradition that was a part of my childhood that I truly cherish and remember as one of best memories.  I want my children to have the same memory – and I want to start young as my parents did with me and my siblings.

The tree farm I used to visit was called Mt. Pilchuck Tree Farm and it closed down in the late 90’s. When searching for a tree farm to go to with my family, I stumbled upon Pilchuck Secret Valley Tree Farm.  It wasn’t the same tree farm I went to as a child, but it was pretty darn close! Excitement set in as we drove up.

As soon as we got out of the car, Shane and I were hit by a wall of coldness. We didn’t dress accordingly, so we knew it had to be somewhat of a quick trip.  Luckily, we found our tree in about 15 minutes, cut it down, bailed it and the kids and I hung out in the hut next to the woodstove drinking hot chocolate while Shane strapped the tree to the car.

Overall we had a great time, but think it will be even MORE fun next year with both kids mobile.  The tree is already up and decorated…more pics to come!

     

Thanksgiving 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!  This year we were blessed to celebrate Thanksgiving 3 times.  First we started out at the Makanani’s for lunch, then to the Boyce family’s for dinner. On Friday, I had to work (boo!) but we had a lovely evening at the Sogn’s.

Shane and I always talk about how blessed we are and how yes, we would LOVE a bigger home, more money and a car that has heat….BUT we follow it up with aspects of what we DO have and what we are thankful for. We have a roof over our heads, food in our tummies, a family that loves us, our HEALTH and healthy children.  There are so many people out there that don’t have what we have. I am so thankful that we know what we have and appreciate it EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Big Boy Bed

It’s true what they say, our babies DO in fact grow up. It’s a little too fast for me, but we have to listen to our kids and acknowledge their milestones by guiding them to the next level. Jackson’s next level: A big boy bed.

Our original plan was to transition Jackson over the Thanksgiving weekend. We have heard so many horror stories of kids not staying in their beds and the parents being up all night – so we figured if there was any weekend to lose out on some sleep – this was the weekend.  However, randomly on Monday, Shane said, “Let’s start tonight!”  So we took of his crib rail, stuck a noodle under his sheet and we were set.

I don’t know why we thought the transition would be hard, EVERY transition we have done with Jackson has gone so smoothly (bottles, binkies, car seats, etc.). And this transition was right up there.  Jackson has slept 11+ hours a  night straight in his “Big Boy Bed” every night since we started.  We are so proud of him, we are thinking of getting him a twin bed.