Christmas trees and gingerbread houses

Since we waited til mom&dad were back from texas to get our tree, it was already the 2nd week of December. We decided to try out another tree farm that we hadn't been to before after hearing that they were both open during the week and that all their trees were only $20. Well, it became abundantly clear why all their trees were only $20. I'm not too picky when it comes to Christmas trees, but almost every one had tons of brown needles all throughout the middle of the tree. We finally found one that wasn't too bad (or at least we could hide the bad side against the wall), so we grabbed it. However, mom and dad couldn't find one that they liked so they ended up going somewhere else (I think they actually got a free tree from my aunt Pet). Maybe it's just something about living in the Evergreen state that makes us not want to have pay an arm and a leg for an evergreen tree!

Cutting down the tree is tough work!

Jamie cuts

While the little watch!

Gingerbread house

The gingerbread house kits from Costco are amazing - they already come assembled! Enough said - enjoy the pictures...

Thanksgiving

Since my parents were visiting with Carrie and Jason for Thanksgiving, we celebrated it with Charlie, Arwen, Jon and Crystal. Charlie made the bird while the rest of us made some sort of sides and desserts. It was a good dinner and of course there was WAY too much food! It was very casual, we had the dinner at mom&dad's and at the last minute we pulled out a wrinkled tablecloth and slapped it on the table. We decided to all stay the night so after we dinner we simply relaxed and watched Christmas Vacation (Chad's family tradition).

November misc

Round the County (San Juan county) race

 

A trip to the playground

 We took a trip to the school so Abby could have a chance to ride her new bike.

Tristan opted for the princess scooter.

After figuring out how to start off without both feet on the ground, Abby does a great job!

Jamie had fun too!

Tristan mostly just ran around with his helmet (extra protection I guess)

I think Chad is complaining about me not taking any pictures of him.

Chad convinces me to try a flip on the bars again.

Here I go...

And here I stop.

Failed again.

Not sure if it's even humanly possible unless you're in elementary school or in the Olympics.

Jamie and Abby have a hanging competition.

I'm not sure who won.

(I never get any pictures of myself)

Having fun taking some close-ups

Little Chad.

Abby's birthday

Abby's birthday party

Abby decided to have a Candyland birthday party this year.  Her birthday was on a half-day at school so we just had a few of her friends over for the afternoon.  

We used balloons and wrapping paper tubes to make giant lollipops.

Chad made holders for them out of scrap wood!

We also made our own candy land trail and we used the cards out of the game to let the kids play with themselves as the game pieces.

Gingerbread man jello jigglers.

Decorations!

And more decorations!

I had a candy station setup so that the kids could fill up their goodie bags before leaving.

And this was the prize bucket - the kids picked out a prize as they each finished the game.

My hard candy decorations :)

 

And for the grand finale - cake!

The kids completely demolished the cake after I was done serving.

For dinner we had over mom and dad and Abby got to open up her presents from the family.

Fun things from Sydney!

Tristan can't wait to see.

A Boogie board from Grandma!

A bike from mom and dad :)