~O Christmas Tree~

The Christmas decorations are up and it is starting to feel like Christmas around here. The kids have been bouncing off the walls ever since, so it may be a very long December, but I think I can handle it.

Once again the Little People Nativity is the most popular Christmas focal point in the house. We enjoy watching the kids play with it, and listing to all their great stories about baby Jesus. The other night, as the Little People prepared for a big birthday bash for Baby Jesus, Addi asked, "So how old is baby Jesus going to be this year, two? Because you know once a baby turns 3, they turn into a kid and you can't call them a baby anymore!" So I explained that Jesus lived a long time ago, and grew up to be a very special man, and now he lives in heaven. We celebrate his birth because it was so very special! Addi then asks, "So how did he die?" Oh boy. I wasn't sure how to explain that in an appropriate way for a 5 year old, while still preserving the important and fundamental details of the story. "Well......ummmmmm....." I started mumbling, not sure where I was headed with this, then Tony enters and saves the day. He says, "Well sweetie, you will just have to wait for that answer, because that is a story for Easter." :o) 

Thanksgiving at Mt. Hood

For Thanksgiving this year we traveled to Oregon to visit Tony's little brother Shane's family. We had a new nephew to meet! They live in the village at Mt. Hood, and we enjoyed visiting such a beautiful place.

Kaden sets up the Little People for their holiday feast!

Addi and Sprinkles dance in their socks on the wood floors.

Addi holds her cousin for the first time! She was anxious to love on him and wanted to help out as much as possible.

Kash and his Aunt Brandi!

Love that little turkey butt!

A proud Uncle Tony!

Telling baby Kash about the Steelers!

~The Turkey~

We tried Apple Mashed Potatoes this year. They complimented the bird! You boil the potatoes and tart apples, mash with butter, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Top with nutmeg, bacon and sauted onions. Mmmmmmmmmm

My plate. I ate every last bite. Turkey, salad with romaine lettuce, cashews, cranberries, apples, pears, and a lemon poppyseed dressing, apple mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cornbread stuffing.

Kaden digs into his plate.

Good stuff!

~Cornucopia~ 

Kassi made this pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust. Delicious!

The day after Thanksgiving we took the kids to an enchanted forest park. The great thing about where they live is they can enjoy all the winter fun they want on the mountain, and they can drive 15 minutes down the mountain to enjoy the warmer weather near Portland. 

Kaden will show you around the playground because his big sister was too busy being social with all the kids to hang out with her Mom! 

When we left the park, Daddy gave Kaden a chocolate doughnut in the car. Mom was not pleased with the situation. 

That night the boys went night snowboarding at Ski Bowl on Mt. Hood. It is the largest night ski area in North America. They had fun, and while they were gone us girls watched a couple good chick flicks and then we all played Rock Band when they got home.

~To Brothers!~

The next day we said our goodbyes to the young Shaffer family of Oregon.

Addi and Kaden are in love with their sweet baby cousin!

Kash Issac Shaffer

Another Shaffer boy in the world, ready to melt the hearts of all the ladies he meets! 

Counting down the minutes til Turkey Time!

Today I had parent teacher conference for Addison. As we were preparing to leave, she reminded me, "Mom, you might hear some good stuff at this thing, you might hear some bad. Let's try to focus on the good." 

:o)

I am happy to report it was mostly good. Her downfall is taking a rather long time to get started on her assignments, as she sharpens her pencil, gets a drink, tells 5 people their outfit is great, ect. Once she gets started she works well, but she usually runs out of time, which explains why she has been having homework. In Kindergarten. 

On a positive note. Her teacher said Addi has the brightest spirit and an enthusiasm for life that she has never seen before. She makes sure everyone is being kind and fair to everyone else. She will absolutely not be bullied, always standing up for herself and others and not afraid to speak her mind. Of course she also said Addi is always dressed so cute and looking adorable. But we knew all that, right? ;o)

We are getting ready to road trip to Mt. Hood and spend Thanksgiving with Tony's little brother, girl friend, and baby. Kaden has been practicing up on his Rock Band, in hopes to wow us all with his skills.

So cute! He melts my heart!

Sing on little buddy!

Today we made lots of cookies for the holiday festivities. Addi wanted to make sugar cookies, and mentioned something about Kaden not being able to bake yet. I got to thinking and realized Addi was baking at his age, why not him too? As I relayed my reasoning to a hesitant older sister, reassuring her that she once was a two year old, and I let her bake too, even though it was difficult at times, and she finally agreed to cooperate. She even started to plan future episodes of Chef Addi with Chef Kaden! :o) 

He had his moments,

but all in all it was a very positive experience for my son, the baker. :o)

And Addi the big 5 year old has more to learn then she thinks! ;o)

The cookies are baked. The bags are packed. The kids have had their baths and are in their pjs. Daddy will be home any minute and we will take off, opting to drive tonight since the roads are dry and the weather is good. Tomorrow Kassi and I prepare a feast fit for kings, or Shaffer boys! :o)