Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Christmas Tree

Sooo…. I hadn't forgotten to upload pictures from my real camera (not my phone). Oops. Here is our Christmas tree outing.

We ventured to a tree farm close to home. It was a small farm and had very little choices in the sparse noble firs that we like. One of these days I'll find the perfect farm. Not too far from home, great selection and reasonably priced trees. It was FREEZING!! but the sun was shinning and it was beautiful out. We bundled up (with multiple layers) and off we went.

It is the fastest we EVER picked out a tree. It was so cold and not a lot to choose from. Ta da!

The one
Claire wanted to help cut it down

Us girls
They did have these cool pulley things. Made it super easy to get it to the truck


Claire took this one

Dave and Claire

Sorry no pictures of it all decorate. Claire helped this year. It was fun but frustrating as she liked to clump the ornaments all in one spot.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Weekend at Grandma's

The girls and I took a long weekend at the cabin to visit Grandma Dee and Dan. 




It was beautiful!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus

Making birthday cupcakes. Claire picked out chocolate for our birthday celebration. Although she wouldn't look at the camera and smile at the same time we had a good time. 






Then on to the cookies for Santa. Daddy and Grammy got into the fun this year. 



Sunday, January 12, 2014

Christmas Fun

We had lots of fun adventures in the month of December. Keizer hosts a Christmas Starlight parade every year. Our home is just a few blocks from the parade route so we walked down. The downside is we are at the end of the route and had to wait a long time for the floats and cars to get to us. 

The Anderson girls with us and Vonda, Brad and Jossie joined in the fun too. Thankfully Vonda brought blankets and chairs for all of us to share. Although we were all bundled up the ground would have been too cold on our tushies. The girls did a great job waiting patiently. We sang Christmas songs and drank hot cocoa. It was lots of fun and next year we know that we don't have to get there so early, in fact we can be really  late and be totally fine, not missing a thing. :)



Abigail, Claire, Emma, Jossie and Olivia waiting for the parade to start

Emma watching the parade

Olivia, Edie, Abigail and Claire

Movie time afterwards


Next up on our adventures was Christmas lights. Lots of Christmas lights. We decided to forgo our normal Zoo light and Grotto viewing and try more local venues.

Mission Mill in Salem had a fun activities along with their light display. We made reindeer food, wrote a letter to deployed soldiers, toured the old woolen mill, used a loom and attempted to see Santa Claus. Claire stood in line for a few minutes before changing her mind.




The Oregon Garden in Silverton also had a Christmas light display. It was okay. This being only their second year having a display there is lots of room for improvement and growth. Dave and I are more excited to back to the garden in the spring or summer to check out all the plants and flowers. We are such nerds. 




Our attempt a family selfie






Although, I don't have any pictures to share another fun night was when we toured Keizer's Christmas lights. There is a route of houses in Keizer of two miles or so that all decorate their houses. We decided to surprise the girls one night after bath time instead of getting ready for bed we load up in the car, all in our pj's. We had popcorn, hot cocoa and Christmas music ready to go. Both girls fell asleep on the way home. Ahhh! Fun memories and I think a start of a new tradition. 

Friday, January 3, 2014

Laureli is 9 months

Can you believe it's been 9 months?!?! Here is a few tidbits about Laureli:

  • She's huge! 20 lbs (89%) and 30" tall (99%).
  • Wears 12 month clothes and size 3 shoes. Both of which are just about too small.
  • Loves food (obviously!).
  • Is very smiley and happy baby.
  • Says mama.
  • Makes the sign for milk.
  • As taken a few steps and will walk while holding onto something, but really has no interest in doing it on her own. 
  • Is a proficient climber. She mastered the stairs a few months ago.
  • Claire and Tucker can maker her laugh like no one else.
  • Has four teeth. Two on the top and two on the bottom.
Quite proud of herself as she climbed up all by herself



Playing in water anywhere we can find it
More water play

And just for comparison here's Claire at 9 months…


  • 6 teeth (4 on the top, 2 on the bottom)
  • Weighs 19 lbs 11 oz (75 percentile) and is 27 1/2 inches tall (98 percentile)