O Christmas Tree

We are getting a dose of reality today as my family is flying home as I write this. It's been a great week filled with family, snow, lots of food, gifts and holiday cheer! My mom and Fred rented a large house in South Lake Tahoe this past week and all of my mom's family and Fred's family joined together for Christmas. The whole clan isn't together very often, so this was a treat for everyone.

I'm going to break up my holiday updates, and I'm starting with our Christmas tree......that's right, our Christmas tree is getting it's own post. On Christmas Eve, after everyone was settled into the house, we went hiking on forest service land to search for the perfect tree. There were many comparisons to the Griswald Family Christmas.....luckily we didn't bring home any squirrels in our tree.

Here we are getting started.

Adler getting a lift from mom.

Owen and Diana

The kiddos were able to play a bit while the search was on.

My nieces: Keely, Kendall and Hadley

Here's the whole gang (minus my mom who was always behind the camera).

Snow Ball Fight!

After much debate we found the perfect tree and took turns sawing away. Here's Owen helping cut down the tree.

Adler and Keely

Micah and Adler watching the tree fall.

There we go....back to the car.

Gorgeous day.

Driving home with a giant tree.

Thank goodness the house we were staying at had very tall ceilings, because this was one giant tree. It definitely looked much larger in the house than outside in the forest.

We decorated the tree with homemade decorations that evening.

Micah even made the construction paper angel for the top of the tree. It took some creativity to get it on the top!

This is by far the largest Christmas Tree I've ever had, and one of the highlights of our week!

Here Comes Santa Clause

We went to see Santa today and as I suspected, Adler was not a fan. We have similar pictures of Owen when he was her age. Strange man with loads of facial hair and weird clothes.....how can we blame them?

Until they're old enough to understand that Santa brings cool toys. Then they willingly sit on this strange man's lap and smile! I do love this Santa inparticular though. He's sweet and just looks like Santa. I also realized this is the 4th year Owen has seen the same Santa.

Here we are a week ago on the Santa Train. Santa made an appearance and handed out candy canes.

Even Adler knew this was sweet food.

The Three Musketeers.....Orrin, Ryder and Owen

Maureen, Tessa, Adler and Me

After the train ride the kiddos got a quick photo with Santa.

All About Owen

I want to dedicate another post to Owen for his 4th birthday and share a little more about his super four year old personality......

• Owen is BUSY! He can't sit still, not even for a short dinner. We've learned to accept this even though his jumping around and constantly moving body is sometimes overwhelming. He just needs to be on the MOVE.
• Owen loves to DANCE and has some pretty impressive dance moves. My favorite is his breakdancing on the floor.
• Owen loves to ride his BIKE around the neighborhood. He's hoping for a newer, bigger bike for Christmas. We hope Santa is listening.
• Owen is a great big BROTHER (most of the time). He loves Adler and tells her so every day. He also overwhelms her with hugs, kisses and the occasional lick.
• Owen's favorite toys are his animals, LEGOS and hotwheels.
• Owen is very ORGANIZED and according to his teachers, keeps his classroom in check. Everything must be in the correct place.
• Owen's favorite TV show is CURIOUS GEORGE.
• Owen's favorite food is: any kind of cracker, yogurt, bananas, CEREAL and cheese (and anything sweet).
• Owen is extremely ROUGH on clothes and shoes. Every pair of blue jeans has holes in the knees (and sometimes a hole through the patch in the knee). It also only takes him about 1 month to put holes in his shoes. Now that's talent.
• Even though Owen is busy, he does love watching a MOVIE. His favorite movie at the moment is How to Train Your Dragon.
• Owen is very AFFECTIONATE. He gives lots of hugs, kisses, likes sitting in our lap, and loves to cuddle. I'm going to eat this up for as long as I can because I know it won't last forever.
• Owen loves to read BOOKS!!!

Owen adores his Grandma and loved every second she was here last weekend. Here they are making the cupcakes together for his party.

Sharing a banana with Grandma on the front porch.


Here are a few photos from Owen's actual birthday. He had a ton of gifts to open at home from us, his grandparents, great-grandparents, and some friends who sent packages in the mail. Lucky kid!


This marble run was a gift from us and what a great gift it was! He can play for an hour with this....dropping the marbles and watching them roll down. Very entertaining.


I'm also quite proud of this marble run because I built it (and I'm not the building type). Micah normally does the building in this house but he was out of town so Mommy had to step it up. I'm sure he'll soon build one bigger and better.

More cake!

Owen and Scarlett share the same birthday.....December 12th. On Monday I took some cookies up to school so the kids could have a little celebration there.

My 4 Year Old

It's been a very fun birthday weekend for Owen! My mom flew up for his birthday and helped out so much with his party. The party was super-hero themed and she made capes for all the kids as party favors. Aren't they great??

Owen has been flying around the house with his cape on.

The party was held at Tumbleweeds, a gymnastics place here in Carson.

Collecting balloons. Balancing on the beam.

Lots of boys! Only one girl came to the party and she was really outnumbered.

Jumping on the trampoline.

Up in the castle.

Busting open the pinata! This was Owen's favorite part!

with Kristin and Enid

Cake time!