2012 Gala

Love the Western States winter Gala each year and this year it was especially fun since so many of our Friends decided to join in. We all found sitters and then we were off downtown to board the CRUISE ship for dinner, drinks (hot coco) and dancing! It was so much fun to float along the Willamette while enjoying one of our last nights in Portland. Big thanks to the Lujan's for babysitting the little ones for us.

Gingy!

I have to tell you it has been really hard to pack the house and get ready for the big move WHILE trying to celebrate Christmas and keep up with all our fun family traditions. I love this time of year so much I couldn't just let it pass without at least trying to have a some-what normal Christmas. So we put up the tree and a few decorations, went to the festival of trees, got out our Christmas movies and music, went to the and Christmas party, and decorated gingerbread houses.

Here's a few fun "things" from our Christmas this year. First up, the ward Christmas party was GREAT! The primary did the nativity but AJ wasn't having it. He really enjoys going to primary every week, we've never really had a problem dropping him off and getting him to go but standing up in front of the ward to sing all the wonderful songs he's learned????NO WAY! I happen to have the Wagner girls with me on this particular night and they both went right up but now Age, Miles however, well he went right up! Of course he is still in nursery and doesn't know any songs but he loved being up there, in fact he was quite the show stopper. Oh Miles how I love you.

Eventually Megan convinced AJ to go up and he did great. I was so proud of him for getting over his shyness and going up there to sing. Plus he new all the words and did really well with everything. Love you buddy!

Aaron also got to play a very important roll this year. I guess the guy who was going to be Santa decided not to show up or something but lucky for them Aaron was there and just about the right size. HA HA HA, it was so fun to see him all dressed up and being Santa with all the kids in the ward. Our boys had NO IDEA and we actually quite upset that Dad was in the bathroom so long he missed Santa's visit. Megan new right away but kept it on the down low, she is growing up way to fast, love you Megs.

I also wanted to mention Miles's obsession with the, the, the.......THE GRINCH! He loves it. He just wants to sit and watch it all day, everyday. He switches back and forth between the cartoon version and the real one but if it's his turn to pick there is no question as to what it will be. We also love frosty and the Bernstein bears Christmas but we never really get around to those because the Grinch is CONSTANTLY going. This year I tried to introduce the Santa Clause movies but I just ended up watching alone, maybe next year!

So here we are decorating our ginger bread houses, which you can do without Nog, or as my boys have come to know it, Christmas Milk. I don't drink this disgusting beverage but it is something that Aaron and the boys thrall enjoy.

And as I am not much of a decorate myself, Holly and I made the Christmas cookies. Thanks for this wonderful shot Age!

Our works of Art, well to us anyways!

Festival of Trees.

This year we couldn't get the husbands out to the Festival of Trees so we just made it a Mommy/Kiddy date day! It was Me, Cole, and Holly, with all 6 kids and we only had one major melt down (throw especially for me by little of Miles) Here we are heading in to meet the Wagner girls,

Baby's first bear paw at the festival of trees.

The trees where beautiful but who are we kidding these kids did NOT come for the trees. We where here for five reasons. Firstly, to see the big guy. Yes we sent our letters in WEEKS ago but a little face time is always a good way to make sure he got the wish list ya know?

Look how big these two have gotten over the last 3 and a half years! I have no idea where the time went.

Reason number two: TEDDY BEAR HOSPITAL. every year the kids get to pick out a new teddy bear, name it, take it to get bandaged up, look at his x-rays, even stitches if they want. It's so fun, plus we get to see what fun names they come up with for their bears, this year it was Rudolph (AJ), Do-Dah (Miles), and Nater (Nate). Don't judge me I was just trying to get the line moving, who doesn't want to share their name with their teddy bear?

 You'll notice that there is no picture of Miles with his teddy bear...Do-duh was in the bag and miles had moved on to the third reason we where here. The cookies!!!!!

Off to the cookie stand! Here you get the ice your own cookie and sprinkle and enjoy! Which miles did.....TWICE!

Trying for a third.....Not today buddy!

Okay reason number 4: The trains. Do your kids ever remember things that even YOU have forgotten about? Well AJ has a fantastic memory and from the moment I told him we were going to the Festival of trees all he has been able to talk about are all the cool trains they have on display. Every year there is a gentlemen who brings out his toy trains and sets them on display for children and grown-up to enjoy, and boy do my boys enjoy it! I believe that AJ would have stood there all day if the option was given to him.

Nate was less intressted in the trains and more focused on Coles sholder. He love his little perch and basically spent the afternoon trying to soak her whole shirt. Good think your so cute Nate or Cole might not have put up with all your drooling!

And the 5th and final reason we came to the festival of trees was to take the tour through the ambulance. Unfortunately the line was too long so we told the kids we'd come back and when we did.....LUNCH BREAK! Miles little heart was broken, enter tantrum, and I ended up having to carry my sad crying little man out to the car with no tour. Sorry buddy!

Side notes: Favorite tree was this one with the Grinch shoving it up!

I like the smell of new born diapers, SO!?!