Christmas time

Yeah, we know, Thanksgiving isn't even here yet but we decided that since we are going down to Utah for Christmas, we would enjoy a little decoration around our house while we are here. So, we decided to set up our new Christmas tree (Hilary resigned to getting a fake tree, so that we can have a tree here, since we will be spending most of the season away and wouldn't be able to keep a real tree alive. Also because we got it for $10). And as you can see from the following picture, we already found a present under the tree!



Who knew Santa would come so early! Sasha thought it would be fun to pretend to sleep under the tree. I think this year is going to be so much more fun for us with her being at such a fun age. Braden will have fun too, but he will be just as lost as Sasha was last year.

Can't wait to come see you guys in SLC!

Moving

My thoughts of gratitude are moving to my new blog, a pot of me, so that we can keep this more about things happening to our little family. I will still be keeping this updated, and if I find that it is taking too much time I will combined them later. For now Brit and I have decided that we will try it out this way.

Saturday's Post of Gratitude

Sorry this is a little late, I had gone to bed, couldn't sleep, and realized that I hadn't written anything down today. So here I am.

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to take a long drive and spend some relatively uninterrupted (the kids can only entertain themselves for so long in the back seat, that's ok) time talking with Brit. In this world of constant interruptions, and so little down time from everything and anything going on around us; radio, TV, internet, phone, friends, work... it seems as if you can spend a countless amount of time "together" without really being together. So today I am thankful for time with my own little family, and really getting to talk.



I am excited to see how much more aware of the little things that I am blessed with. It seems to me that I am doing better at paying attention to, or being aware of these things. So thank you to those who gave me the encouragement to start this.

Joy

Today I am grateful for:

I happened to glance over at my computer while this picture was up on my screen saver. I am so thankful that this was caught on film. I love seeing the joy in Grandma's face as she is looking at her great granddaughter (I had to post this one with Braden as well). I love looking back and remembering things that have so much meaning to me.

Thanks for loving all of us so much Grandma!

I love you!

A Life Of Thanksgiving

We had a great Enrichment Activity on Tuesday night that focused on giving thanks for the many things in our lives. One of the stories shared was an excerpt from this talk by Elder Eyring, we were encouraged to keep a record daily of things that we are grateful for. I am going to start today, some days I may record things on paper, others here. I have been looking for a way to become a more positive person, I hope this will help keep me focused on the positive things around me, and be more grateful for those things. So here is to a life of thanksgiving.

Something that I'm thankful for today:

Between nap and lunch we took a few minuets to play with some toys in the front room. Braden "ran" down the hall, poked his head into his room (Sasha and I could see most of his body), looked out at us and and said "pa boo" (said quickly & with a short sound) - (peak-a-boo). I am so thankful that I am able to be home to witness and enjoy these moments. Now to enjoy more of them.

COOKIES

Sasha and Daddy were sitting on the couch while I was getting Braden to sleep for his nap this afternoon, when I sat down in the kitchen, what did I hear? ...Sasha reading her first story out loud to Daddy. "COOKIES" Congratulations Sasha you are doing so great! I'll get a video for you of it when she decides that she will perform on camera.

Music & Friends

Sasha and Braden have always loved music, they both lead the music in sacrament, or any other time that they hear it. Today Sasha started singing! It took me a minute to figure out what she was saying... "I Am A Child Of God" I'm not quite sure how to type her version of the song, as I figure it out I'll post it.

Braden is doing great at mimicking sounds, and words. It is so exciting to watch him as he is growing and developing. We are working with the kids on sharing and how to ask politely. Braden is very helpful with this. He loves to take Sasha's things, if she freaks out he runs away in delight at her reaction, but if she asks politely "Braden can I have ...?" He will nod and give it to her. It really is so sweet to see them together when they are getting along.

Let Your Voice Be Heard

All Elections should be of great importance to all of us. We are blessed to be living in a country where we have a voice in those who represent our country and there by each of us. Please let your voice be heard. It does count! The polls are open until 8pm - if you are here in Washington don't forget to get your ballot to the Ballot Box by 8pm, or if you don't have your ballot go to the nearest location also by 8:00om to vote. To find the location nearest to you go to www.spokanecounty.org/elections Don't forget your ID if you are needing to go in to vote.

Scentsy Party

I know that this is last minute, but I would love to have anyone that would like and is able to come over for the evening. Come enjoy some time with some friends, some food, and possibly get some of your Christmas shopping done early. Hope to see you there!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

We had a great week of Halloween, the kids got to dress up for Joy School. They had a great time playing in the gravel box, and all of the fun activities for the week. Here are some of my favorite shots of them through the week.

Thursday we went Trick-or-Treating at the Waterford. It was so much fun to see how excited they both were as they figured out what was going on. I think their favorite thing was their balloon they each got to pick. Braden had a "death" grip on his, there was no taking it away to tie it to his wrist, and it made it home. Sasha loved the orange string with a black balloon. We will be going earlier next year to let them enjoy the carnival as well as having a great time trick-or-treating to the residents.

MY "ba booo"

I love this candy thing!

Just in case you were wondering yes she did still fit in her car seat, and the buckle did go around her. The straps had to be stretched out a bit, but it worked.

Friday we spent all day in our costumes, it was a hit at all of our appointments! We even got to attend the Seniors Halloween Party at the community center. They had a party at their Kindermusik class, every one (well almost) dressed up. It's always a great time, they love going to "mosik cass".

Here is Sasha and one of her good friends, at our ward Trunk-or-Treat. How much fun it is to get all of that candy. Just convincing Sasha not to eat any until Mommy and Daddy could go through it to make sure it was "safe" (ie-nut free) proved an interesting challenging and not so successful task (at least she only went for the sucker).

Not ready to leave yet! There still has to be more!

We ended the trick-or-treating with a stop at a few houses, Sasha was having such a great time, she would just go on in. We will need to work on that for the future, that we don't walk into strangers houses even if there is a dog.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN