"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree"

I don't think anyone was more excited to get our Christmas tree than me.  Growing up my Mom made the holidays very special.  She always decorated the house and putting together the tree with her was such a treat each year.   Sadly, we hadn't had a Christmas tree or even decorated for Christmas the past two years since each December we had been packing up and moving homes, so I definitely wanted to make up for it this year.

On Saturday we went to a local tree lot and loaded our 8 foot noble on top of Jake's car and headed home.  Skylar was very excited to decorate the tree that she started pulling out all the ornaments before the tree was even in the house.  We made her take a nap and told her she could put the ornaments up once she woke up.  Jake and I put up the lights and ribbon and waited for Skylar to wake up before we did anything else.  Skylar was so funny putting up the decorations.  First she wanted to put up all the candy canes and she put them all in one spot and refused to move her stool anywhere else.  When she wasn't looking we would try and spread out all the ornaments she bunched up in one spot.  She had a little trouble keeping the on hooks the ornaments and getting them to stay just right on the branches, but she still had the best time trying.  It was really special having Skylar help decorate the tree and I can't wait until next year when Madden can join in.

My attempts to take a cute pictures of the two of them in front of the tree in their Christmas jammies wasn't very successful, but what can you do.  

Our Little Chef

Last night Skylar and Dada made an amazing lasagna dinner for us.  Skylar was so cute while helping Jake put all the layers of cheese and pasta down, she was so proud once they finished.

Our sick little bug

The day after Thanksgiving Skylar woke up very early and wanted to lay in our bed.  Soon after that she puked all over Jake and than again downstairs.  We felt so bad for her.  She was so subdue and just wanted to lay on the couch and watch cartoons on mama's phone.  Before we knew it, she was past out with the thermometer in her hands.  After she woke up from her nap she was back to 100% asking for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, we really lucked out this time.

The Anderson's Holiday Party

Let the Holiday Party Season begin!!  This past weekend was the first of four holiday parties we are attending this year.  When Darc called and said she wanted to host a holiday party we knew it was the one party we didn't want to miss. We decided the best time to have it was in November, since everyone has their own parties in December.

Blake and Darci had their house already decorated and there was a spread of amazing food and drinks for everyone to enjoy.  I love getting together with our friends.  The guys had no problem having a good time and toasting to the holiday (especially my husband, who was talking some funny nonsense on the drive home).  Us ladies just enjoyed chatting and catching up with each other.

It turned out to be a really good time and we all decided that we are going to make it a tradition that the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend will be our annual holiday party.  Next year Jake and I will be hosting!!

Our gracious host and hostess! 

 

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving was pretty much filled with the three F's; Family, Food, and Football.  It was our first Thanksgiving with two kids, so of course Jake and I didn't see much of each other as he was taking care of Skylar and I was on Madden duty.  This was the first time most of my family had seen Madden in a couple months so it was nice for them to see him all grown up.  It was also a special day because most of us were meeting Miranda's little girl Jaylee.  She was a perfect baby just sleeping in everyone's arms.  I was bummed because I didn't get to hold her, but hopefully next time I will get my turn.  The dinner was really good, even though I had to eat it standing up while Madden slept in his carrier on me.  We have so much to be thankful for this year, and look forward to whats to come.     

Turkey Trot 2012

I just love our neighborhood, and here is another reason why.  Every year the same family hosts an annual Turkey Trot on the morning of Thanksgiving.  This was our first year attending and it was a ton of fun.  We walked up to the house that was hosting the event and they had everything set up.  A table with donuts for the kids, and champagne and bloody Marys for the adults (which of course, Jake and Mike couldn't say no to).  Music is playing and Brad the host, is on the mic warming up the crowd.   

Skylar was very excited to go!  We told her that her bestie CJ was going to be there and she has been all about running lately.  The night before she raced round the house probably 30 times warming up for the race.  

They had three different races on the schedule.  A 50 yard dash for the 1-5 year olds, a race for 5 and up and than the 5K for the adults.  Skylar was so excited to line up and start her 50 yard dash.  When the race started Skylar would start running about 5 feet and than would  stop running straight and go to the sidelines.  It was so funny to watch.  We kept shouting at her to go straight.   She had the biggest smile on her face during the run and I couldn't stop laughing.  At the end of the race, Skylar had a donut for all her hard work and a medal to show off her big win.

  

Next up was the 5K run/walk.  Sadly, it has been a long time since I have ran a 5K, so I was a bit nervous and had a right to be.  I ran the first lap pushing the kids in the stroller, while Jake ran with his bloody mary in hand.  After that I began to struggle and made Jake put his drink down and take over the stroller pushing.  We still finished at around 29 minutes and we got first place in our category as the first team to cross the finish line pushing a stroller.  We definitely will make it a tradition to participate in the Annual Bressi Ranch Turkey Trot and I promise to be in better shape for next years race.

Bath Time

I think our life got just a little bit easier.  With Madden now sitting up on his own we have been giving the kids a bath together which saves us a good amount of time before bedtime.  Skylar refused to get in the bath with Madden when he had his bath seat in the tub, but once she saw him in the bath without it, she didn't hesitated about joining him.  They were having such a blast in the bath together.  Whenever Skylar would splash the water Madden would do the same.  I just love these two so much and seeing how much fun they have together really melts my heart.