We had a very merry Christmas!

Gingerbread house-Christmas Eve

Making Ornaments after washing away the frosting.  Everyone in pajamas and ready for bed at 6pm

Christmas eve Dance Party

6 am Christmas morning

I love this one because you can see everyone in the background (except Will is taking the picture)

and we all got to play outside with ride on toys new and old.  

Happy Birthday Grant!

Oh Tannenbaum oh Tannenbaum, how lovely are your branches

I just read Branson's comment about Matt (her hubby) being allergic to christmas trees...hmmm.  Grant is allergic to tree pollen and outdoor mold.  We have been told that we should have house plants so we left them in Indiana.  I never even thought about Grant being allergic to Christmas trees.  We were planning on this being our last live tree until the trip to the tree farm.  We had such a good time that we had changed our mind (at least while the kids still enjoy the tree farm.)  Maybe I need to reconsider...again.  I haven't noticed any huge change in his allergies but he is always rashy and itchy so I don't know that I would notice.  Anyway...thanks to Branson for putting the idea in my head for next year. (not being cynical here i really am thankful...I don't want the little guy to suffer anymore than he has to) I will miss the live tree smell but I think this is probably the end for us too. :-(
Side note: I am allergic to juniper and the wreath I bought had some in it so it has to hang outside.

An Afternoon Off

Will was off work today and I start work monday so we celebrated by taking Spencer out of school for a trip to the children's museum.  I love seeing Spencer and Grant play together!

Tree is decorated and Christmas Train provided by Grandpa!

Did you notice the part where he says this train was grandpa's when he was a little boy?

trimming the tree

Christmas tree shopping

It Snowed!! Kind of...

We got a whole inch. School is cancelled & people are driving crazy but seeing the boys faces this morning was totally worth it! Grant was baffled that something was different in the backyard.  Spencer wanted to make snow angels in his pajamas.  We compromised and agreed that he could play in the snow after school (his school doesn't close because they realize some parents have to work even if it snows)

Spencer demonstrating snow angels

and snow balls

This was all we had left by the time we got home at 4pm.  I would guess it will all be gone tomorrow.

Spencer and Grant meet a Beaver

Today we let Spencer pick what we would do with the day.  Neither Will or I had anything specific planned so we asked Spencer what we should do.  He picked the zoo, so we drove to Portland and enjoyed their zoo very much.  We should have been wearing winter coat and hats but we survived in windbreakers.  

Spencer and Grant meet their first beaver.  Welcome to Oregon State.  

Spencer and Grant are growing but they have a long way to go to catch up with the polar bears

A tricycle build for elephants to ride in the circus.  

every night an hour before bedtime...in my quiet room

more ocean

The ocean video doesn't seem to be working but here are some pictures.

Grant looking at the bones of a 3 yo Sea lion

The seas were angry that day, my friend

This is Grant's first experience "in" the ocean.  Shortly after this a big wave came and knocked him down, the trip the the beach was over.  Grant was offended that the ocean would come and knock him down.  Poor Granty.

Yesterday the Children's Science Center had toddler day and the theme was trains, planes, and cars.  I took Grant while Spencer was at school.  So much FUN!

Painting with macthbox cars

Checking out the trains running on the train layout!!!  This was his favorite!

Painting a train picture for Grandpa Reinmiller (watch your mail)
Also painting his eye, ear cheek, mommy and the table.

The sun was shining today when I picked Spencer up from Preschool so we took the chance to enjoy fall weather.  This park is awesome, it's been written up by national magazines and it really is that great.  I can't decide if I am just a nervous nellie or if it is bad design but the park overlooks the river which is really pretty but every time I lose sight of a child I assume they have fallen in the river.

"Spencer can you turn around and Smile?"
"NO, theres no time!"

Grant's favorite game is run and laugh

Slide Races

Spencer's new trick

trick or treat part 2

This digital greeting card made with Smilebox

trick or treat

A day at the park

We took a picnic to the park today. Some cookies fell on the ground and before I knew what was happening Spencer was asking "Do squirrels eat cookies?" turns out squirrels do eat cookies and jelly sandwiches and about anything else my kids drop. We watched the squirrels for a long time until Spencer chased it up the tree.