O' Christmas Tree!

We started a new tradition this year. It is something that we have thought about doing in years past. This year we made it a reality. The day after Thanksgiving we took mom and dad and headed up to Boone to find and cut our own Christmas tree. We have been talking about it with Jack and he was so excited with anticipation. The night before we went we showed him the first few minutes of National Lampoons Christmas vacation where they go cut their own tree. Hilarious! Anyway, we found a nice little tree farm with some beautiful Frasier furs. We borrowed a saw, trekked up the muddy hill, and found "the one".  Its beautiful and full, fitting the room perfectly! They helped us strap it to the top of the car and off we went. It was a fun and special day spent with family!

The tree farm

Searching for that perfect tree

Gotta make sure its not too tall

This one is probably too short, Jackson!
 

Emily even enjoyed it!

Getting ready to take it home!

The finished product!


 

Happy Holidays, everyone!!

Thanksgiving 2013

We had a pretty simple and relaxing Thanksgiving. To do this day, I have yet to host and prepare the big feast. Maybe next year will be the year? Anyway, I'm thankful for a mom who does all the cooking. All that I did was make a salted caramel apple pie and some balsamic green beans. The pie was such a production that as I was making it I thought, how on earth could I prepare a whole meal by myself?! Toby has always had dreams of frying a turkey so this year we took the first step and bought a fryer. We decided to buy a chicken instead though since mom was roasting a turkey. The guys got the fryer out but couldn't get it working in time so we ended up frying our chicken for dinner the next night instead! After the big feast we helped mom decorate their tree. The holiday season has officially begun! We certainly have a lot to be thankful for this year and every year!

Jackson wearing the head dress that he made at school. The teachers gave him an Indian name of "Curious Fox"

Checking out the stuffed turkey

We tried to get her to pose with the turkey. No such luck!

Emily standing on her own for the first time. She lasted about 10 seconds!

Tree decorating....

California Vacation

The first week of November we went on our first family vacation, just the four of us, to California. We all had such a great time. The kids traveled better than expected and except a few minor illnesses popping up toward the end, it was pretty much smooth sailing! Granted, the time change especially messed Emily up. She was up around 5 a.m. every morning of our trip. It all worked out though because we came to expect it and just took turns waking up with her. For a couple weeks after we returned the kids were sleeping in about an hour and a half later than normal. It was great while it lasted.

Anyway, we started our trip in San Francisco at Chris and Hannah's. Boy are they wonderful hosts. We didn't waste a moment so that we could take in as many as the sights as possible. We really enjoyed hanging out with them and sweet Cy too. We went to some amazing over looks, a few parks, the marina, the Golden Bridge, and just bummed around the city in general. We ate a ton of delicious food while there as well. Jackson finally got to enjoy his much anticipated cable car ride. He even got a front row seat!

After the first few days with Chris and Hannah we took a trip up to Napa to see Ron, Mary, Rhonda, Cassie, Janet, Jada, and Alexis. The drive up there from San Fran was just gorgeous. Up in Napa, we were able to catch up with a lot the family that we hadn't seen in a very long time. Many of them were meeting Jackson and Emily for the first time! We drove through some of the vineyards and even stopped at one to partake in some wine tasting. We also toured a brewery that afternoon which was really cool.

After leaving Napa we went back to San Fran for a couple days and stayed with Chris and Hannah again. On our way back to the city we drove down the coast. The views were breath taking! We also walked through Muir Woods, where we got to see some big redwoods. Not the largest ones in California by any means but definitely the largest trees Toby and I have ever seen.

We had an amazing trip leaving us with lots of wonderful memories. Even though he is only 4 hopefully Jackson will remember it as well. We hope to go back in a couple years!

Cy enjoying the park

Checking out the Golden Gate Bridge...

Jackson helping Uncle Ron with some chores

We couldn't get Jackson off this thing. It belonged to Alexis and Jada when they were little.

Jackson with Uncle Ron and his homemade wine

Cassie and Jackson

Most of the crew the morning we left

Sightseeing on the way back to the city



We took Jackson on a cable car our last day there...

He got a front row seat

Alcatraz from afar

We played and had a picnic in the city...

Halloween 2013

We had so much fun for Emily's first Halloween. There were so many festivities to partake in. First we had Pumkinpalooza at the church where Jackson attends school. They had trunk or treating, games, and a bounce house. Jackson wore his Jack in the Box costume from last year. Emily went as a lady bug. On Halloween Jackson was in a parade at school. It was so fun watching the children parade around the parking lot. We were so thankful that daddy could come as well as Bobby and Pa. After the parade, there was a little party in Jacksons classroom. The children got Halloween treats and performed some songs and poems for the parents. So sweet! That night we went trick or treating for the first time in our new neighborhood. When we got home Jackson was able to hand out candy to some of the trick or treaters that came to our house. He seemed to enjoy that just as much as trick or treating.

All ready for Pumkinpalooza....

 

 

Getting ready for the parade

 

 

School parade

 

 

Classroom party....

 

 

Going Trick or Treating...

All worn out after a fun day....