Hudson's First Thanksgiving and SNOW!

This "Winter" came early, just as everyone expected. We had our first snow Thanksgiving week!! Hudson didn't really go out in it much, just enough to snap a couple cute pictures. I don't think he was too fond of it..mostly because I hadn't gotten him mittens yet so his poor fingers were cold! The snow lasted about 4 days then luckily melted off enough for us to make the trek up to Shoreline for Thanksgiving dinner at the McIntyre's house! Hudson was the center of attention and he seemed to enjoy that :)

We enjoyed a wonderful day with my dad's side of the family and Hudson even tried a little piece of turkey that daddy snuck to him :) He also had a bite of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cranberries.

We wish you a Merry Christmas!!

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. It seems like we prepare for so long and then it's gone with the blink of an eye! Andy and I enjoyed our time together and with my family this year. Christmas Eve we spent with my dad's side of the family (which has become tradition). We went down to my aunt and uncle's in Montesano where we enjoyed spending some quality with my cousins, aunts and uncles, dad, sisters, brother and grandparents! We played some fun 'games' that my aunt put together, had a delicious Prime Rib dinner and opened some presents. As usual, my grandma went all out and got everyone tons of gifts. Andy and I got a food processor (which I asked for, to help make my own baby food later..), a Walmart gift card, some lotions/body washes and Hudson even got a cute little puppy jacket and some CD's.

After opening presents we headed back to Puyallup for celebration #2 at Nancy and Kenny's house. We stayed a couple hours and caught up with some relatives we hadn't seen since last Christmas. We then headed home to let Maverick out for a couple minutes before heading to the 10 pm church service at Calvary Community Church that we have attended off and on since moving to Puyallup. The church service was perfect, we sang some traditional Christmas carols, watched as the children told the youth pastor what they wanted for Christmas and he read them a story, then listened to a short sermon on "Hope." It was wonderful to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. I've always wanted to start a new tradition of going to church on Christmas Eve and I hope going this year has started that.

Christmas Day was more low key. Andy and I woke up around 9:30 and opened our presents from eachother and from his family that they mailed. We were thrilled to get a Canon video camera from Andy's parents!!! What a perfect gift to have just before Hudson is born. We can't wait to try it out and be able to capture all his milestones throughout his life. This will also make it much easier to share things with Andy's family since they all live across the state.

After opening presents we headed up to my mom's house for Christmas brunch. We enjoyed her delicious breakfast casserole with Nancy and Kenny, Mom and Dean, Steve, Shey, Bryce, Todd, Aunt Sharene and Tom and one of their neighbors. It was nice to spend more time with them since we hadn't seen them for long the night before. We finished off the morning/early afternoon opening a few presents and visiting before Andy and I headed home to relax before I had to come to work that night.

Overall we had a good couple days celebrating Christmas but we both agree that next year will be MUCH better with a little one around! Christmas really is about celebrating Jesus and children!!!

Andy finally got what he asks me for every year!!

Sisters!

Grandpa with a few of his granddaughters :)

Dad and Steve with matching sweaters from Grandma

Bryce and Cody playing football with Andy :)

Dean with Shey and Bryce

Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Kenny with Shey and Bryce

Cody loved the rawhide from Maverick! He didn't stop chewing it until it was gone!

{Spokane}

This past weekend Andy and I were lucky enough to have it off together to visit Spokane. We left Friday after work and got there just after midnight. Saturday was spent visiting with Andy's family. We went to lunch at Wingers with his sister, her husband and his brother Mike and his girlfriend. After that us girls did some shopping and catching up while the boys had 'guy time.' At 5:3o we all went to a church in the Valley for mass and a blessing of Andy's grandparent's marriage after 65 years!!! They were so happy that most of the family made it to church and then up to their house at the lake for a family dinner. We had a good time visiting, eating and even for a ride in the boat! Unfortunately it was pretty late by the time we got there so we didn't get to swim in the lake or anything :(

Sunday morning we got up and met Katie and Kyle for breakfast at the Rocket Bakery downtown Spokane, then went up to Andy's little brother Jon's apartment so I could check it out. He's got a pretty nice little place for a bachelor! Then Andy took me to my FAVORITE park in Spokane--Manitow Park--We had so much fun walking through the rose gardens, Japanese gardens and the nearby neighborhoods. It's such a beautiful park, especially in the summer months. That was about all we had time for before we had to head back home, which unfortunately took us 7 hours (instead of the usual 4-5)...it was sooooo frustrating, and we never even saw a cause for the hold up.

Mav loves car rides!! :)

Christmas Fun

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. I hope it was Merry for everyone!! :) Andy and I were very excited that we both had Christmas Eve and Christmas day off, that's unusual with my job! Christmas Eve was spent down in Brady at my Aunt and Uncle's house with my extended family on my dad's side. Even with all the snow, we all made it down safely for a fun day. We opened presents, played a fun game where we passed a present around, along with a cup of dice and when we rolled doubles had to put on a hat, scarf and gloves and attempt to unwrap the present as the dice went around the circle and the next person attempted to roll doubles. It was very entertaining, especially when the guys had the pink hat and purple scarf on!! After presents we enjoyed a delicious dinner of crab salad, clam chowder and also a choice of ham with potatoes! :) As usual there was plenty of food, as well as plenty of goodies to follow up with! Unfortunately we weren't able to stay long after dinner as we had another party to try to get to.

After leaving my Aunt and Uncle's house, we stopped by Nancy and Kenny's (my stepdads parents) for some more socializing with the extended family. It was nice to see a lot of family we hadn't seen all year and catch up! We had planned to go to church at 11 pm Christmas Eve, but after so much driving and visiting, we were so exhausted by 9 pm that I didn't think I could even stay awake that long!! So we just came home and let Maverick out before getting to bed and waiting for Santa to come!! :)

Christmas Day was pretty low-key. Andy and I woke up and opened presents together, which was very nice (and he was COMPLETELY suprised that I got him the I-pod touch). Then my mom and Dean came over and we opened a couple presents with them and ate breakfast together. Then we just relaxed for a bit before meeting Todd (Dean's brother) up in Bonney Lake to see the movie Marley and Me. Which was a great movie, although I spent the last 30 mins bawling :(. If you haven't seen it, be sure to bring plenty of tissues! I was somewhat prepared though, as I had read the book.

All in all it was a wonderful Christmas and I hope yours was the same!! Now on to New Years!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

Well the Holiday Season is officially here! I love this time of year...even though all the stores are crowded I love holiday shopping and all the decorations :) I got most of our decorations up today, we just have to go get a tree, hopefully this week!

Thanksgiving came and went on Thursday. We had a good time up in Shoreline at my Aunt and Uncle's house with my dad's whole side of the family. All of us cousins were there, which was nice since that generally only happens once a year on Christmas Eve. We had a lot of delicious food of course and good company. After dinner Andy and I headed back South since I had to work at 2 am Friday morning. On the way home we stopped at my Step-grandparents house to say hello, then headed home so I could try to get some sleep.

The rest of the weekend was mostly un-eventful, just work and sleep with a bit of Christmas shopping and decorating thrown in there! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and remembered to celebrate your blessings and remember what you are thankful for.

Here's a few of the things I am thankful for this year:

1. Andy and both have steady jobs in an unstable economy!

2. We are able to keep on top of our bills and not get into debt

3. My relationship with Andy and how understanding he is of me

4. God's grace and forgiveness

5. The love of my family and friends

6. The resources to help others this holiday season

7. My crazy dog

8. My doctor that's helped me get to the root of some of my problems

9. The good health of most of my family

10. Pumpkin Spice and Egg Nog Lattes from Starbucks :) yumm...