Simple Snapshots

I got to have my nephews again this week!

This little guy is a scooting backwards machine.

He starts up right by the toys and with in 5 minutes he

has pushed himself as far back as he can get before running into something.

This little face is just to cute to not take a ton of pictures of.

Even Jordan joined on the floor for a bit to play.

linking up to Simple Things Sunday and Sunday Snapshots

Thanksgiving with family

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday!

We spent the morning at home and headed over to my parents

in time for the 1 'o clock football game.

We stuffed ourselves with snacks while we hung out and visited.

It was fun to have all the cousins together to play.

It has been a while since we have been together.

All the boys did great! They made pictures to send to their 

Uncle Johnny who is going to school in Canada and won't be home for a while.

We miss him lots! Love you John!

With the nice but cold weather they were able to play outside lots.

Even the big boys went out for a while to throw the football around.

We then stuffed ourselves some more with an amazing spread of yummy food.

Most the men then took their spots on the couch for a food coma nap.

The cousins all continued to play great all together!

It was a pretty eventful day and it is fun to see how my nephew Cohen

is growing. He loves playing with his older cousins and being a big boy!

He had a blast running around when everyone was playing football 

just loving being a part of the action. Brought lots of smiles to my face.

The kids spent the night at my parents house.

They will be there until while Josh and I head out early today to 

go to Leavenworth for my birthday!

We are celebrated a weekend early but it is the only free weekend we have all month!

Advent activities

I am so excited for Christmas time! I can't believe how fast it has sneaked up on me.

I have spent the few weeks coming up with this years advent activities.

As the kids get older I have to get more creative and come up with new things.

This year along with our traditional activities I am going to introduce

some Random Acts of Kindness activities. 

Like last year I found it most helpful to print up calendar for the month of December.

I then write in all the activities I know are already going on.

Then I start planning the activities and fill in the days!

If you want to check out how I put it all together check

out last years post here!

This year like almost every year we are busy.

My birthday falls on the 6th.

Josh and I are celebrating by going to Leavenworth for the weekend.

The only weekend available was the weekend of Thanksgiving.

Josh is coaching Jordan's basketball team so that is

 two nights a week on Tuesday and Friday.

Michelle goes to bones Tuesday night.

We have church Wednesday night.

Josh has basketball league Thursday night.

Our Saturdays filled up fast.

We have an ugly sweater party planned with Josh's softball team

and a family Christmas party with my mom's family the next Saturday.

But enough of our crazy schedule and onto the fun activities!

If you want to check out how I put it all together check

out last years post here!

Decorate white mugs with sharpies, bake and enough hot chocolate in them

date night with kids- Josh/Michelle and me/Jordan

I plan to make slime/flubber with Jordan

RAOK- Walk or drive to bender and leave surprises all over the 

playground such as little Christmas toys, bubbles ect.

RAOK-Read The Legend of the Candy Cane, put together 

reindeer candy canes, head to Safeway to pass them out, and when they are gone 

we will go pick out some candy cane ice cream to enjoy at home.

On my birthday we will decorate cupcakes and share some!

Also that night is family bingo night at Jordan's school that I will be helping out at.

Lighted Christmas parade

Decorate gingerbread houses

Make rolo & kiss pretzels treats

Picnic dinner by the tree with Yule tide log

Watch the best Christmas Pageant ever

Date night with kids- Josh/Jordan & me/Michelle

Michelle and I will be going to the play The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Gardner Family Christmas Party

{candy}

Write a Christmas story together

Put together Blesssing bags

Make gingerbread play dough

put a gift in the mailbox for our mail lady

Put together gifts for teachers, bus drivers, 

garbage man, recycle man and friends/classmates

Movie night Elf 

{themed}

Fill out two stars for each family member with kind

thoughtful words,what we love about them ect.

Go up to Mt. Baker and go sledding

Decorate sugar cone trees

movie night with Christmas boxes

game night with popcorn, hot chocolate and Christmas music

Family date day ended by driving around and looking at Christmas lights

Cousin movie sleepover by the tree

Read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve before bed

On Christmas morning we will have our traditional coyotes for breakfast. 

I don't know the actual name for this meal that is what we called it growing up. 

It is fried bread dough and then you can eat it with powder sugar, jam, or syrup.

I have lots of other ideas that we may or may not get to

but I have on hand in case we have some extra time.

I have lots of RAOK ideas 

If it snows I would love to make snow ice cream

read Christmas books

watch lots of Christmas movies

Snowman ice cream sundaes

If you want more ideas check out years past lists

2012

2011

2010

2009

things I am thankful for

20 things I am thankful for right now in my life

Above all things I am thankful for a God who given me everything!

“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.” Isaiah 12:4-5

• my amazing, hard working, loving husband who loves me even when I can be unlovable
• my snuggly, full of personality, strong willed, imaginative, smart son
• my amazing, caring, loving, thoughtful, awesome friend to others, creative daughter
• when my kids get along and spend time together listening to music, having sleepover and writing letters back and forth to each other.
• that my family puts up with me and loves me not matter what
• a house we can call a home
• family who is always there for us
• having all my family with in five minutes of us so we hang out, watch football, cousin can play together, bbq in the summer and have family get together for holidays
• plenty of food in the fridge
• free time on Thursday mornings to slow down, relax and catch up on things
• a warm cup of coffee 
• weekends were we can sleep in, relax, hang out as a family and snuggle
• being able to stay home and do what I love
• that I get to go once a week and help in Jordan's class
• awesome teachers that care about my kiddos and their education
• my bunco group because I am forced to get out of the house once a month and be social
• my camera so I can capture everyday moments and memories 
Sunshine! Sunshine makes everyday better!
• thankful that we have the time, money, and family {to watch the kiddos} so Josh and I can getaway together often.
• Holidays! There's something incredibly exciting about them and that Josh will go along with all of my ideas even if he thinks they are silly or over the top

I could go on and on because I really do have so much to be thankful for!

*I’m participating in Blogember with A Happy Girl this month. 

Today’s prompt? 20 things you’re thankful for.

Simple Snapshots

I have been so bad with picking up my camera lately and capturing the everyday moments.

I am hoping the holiday season coming will help change that.

When my husband and son went outside today to play catch with the football

I decided to follow them. My son looked so cute in his helmet with his Phineas

and Ferb jammies topped with a Seahawk sweatshirt. Love this kid.

He is a jammie man. He will come home from school sometimes 

and get straight back into his jammies.

linking up to Simple Things Sunday and  Sunday Snapshots