Daddy/Daughter Valentine's Dance 2017

I am not sure who was more excited for the Daddy Daughter Dance, Eric or Kallie. It felt like a big day . . . a big milestone for our not so little Kindergartner. I bought Kallie a new dress and Eric surprised her with the sweetest corsage. They had a great time at the dance . . . I am pretty sure Kallie and her little friends spent most of the time running around while the dads tried to keep track of them but regardless it was a special evening. After the dance Eric let Kallie choose where she wanted to go to dinner and without hesitation she chose “Little Johns” which is a small diner they call their special spot. They love going there together and having breakfast for dinner . . . both of their favorites! What a special day for my two favorite people...

Snow Snow and More Snow in Issaquah

This year they predicted lots of snow and for once the weatherman was actually right. We woke up to over 8 inches of snow . . . which means SNOW DAY for everyone (well two snow days and a 2 hour delay to be exact). We took full advantage of the snow spending the day sledding with pretty much every kiddo in our neighborhood squeezing in a few hot chocolates so we didn't freeze and a movie when the kids were too exhausted to sled anymore.

New Years Eve at The Ranch

This year we spent New Years Eve in Cle Elum at Hoyt's property (AKA -The Ranch). The kids started sledding the moment they got out of the car and did not stop until we made them come inside b/c it was too dark to safely sled. As usual we had a blast snowmobiling (not my favorite), doing doughnuts in the side by side (my favorite), sledding, s'mores by the bonfire and of course a few cocktails after the kiddos went to bed. It was so nice to get out of town for New Years and spend time with great friends.

Christmas Morning 2016

We love Christmas and as usual we got home late Christmas Eve after caroling with the family and Kallie immediately starts working on her letter to Santa. We set out cookies for Santa, carrots for his reindeer and head to bed anxiously awaiting the morning. Our little early bird was in our room by 6am ready to go. I make her wait upstairs while I go downstairs to turn on the Christmas lights and make coffee . . . which was torture when my parents use to make us wait but now as an adult I totally get it :)

Santa was good to us and Kallie was over the moon when she opened her American Girl look-alike doll who she promptly named Jennifer.

As always we are so spoiled and thankful for another wonderful Christmas but more importantly our healthy, family and happiness!

A White Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve morning we decided to drive East on I90 with the Minnaar's in search of snow . . . Success! We spend the morning sledding, building a snow fort, snowball fights and of course ending with hot chocolate. It was the perfect start to Christmas Eve and something I hope we turn into a family tradition!

Kallie lost her first tooth!!! (12/22/16)

Well it's official . . . Kallie lost her first tooth (bottom tooth) on 12/22/16! She has been waiting and wiggling and waiting and wiggling some more. We even bought a personalize tooth fair pillow in anticipation. Well all of the wiggling finally paid off and the tooth fairy made a special visit that night. She gave Kallie a golden coin and two dollar bills - Kallie was over the moon!

Family Traditions - Annual Santa Visit and Cookie Making

We had another successful trip to visit Santa. Kallie was so exited as usual and hopped right up on his lap. She asked him to bring her an American Girl Doll that looks like her and some new doll clothes. Then it was time for the entire family to get our annual picture for Grammy. Every year she says it is the only thing she wants for Christmas so of course we must go. Although we laugh about it every year and think it is pretty ridiculous I do love having the pictures to look at each year.

Grammy and Papa also have the kids over every year to make Christmas cookies. Kallie looks forward to this as much as she does seeing Santa (well almost). Grammy has a full day planned which consists of making cookies, holiday art projects, watching a Christmas movie and more. It is non-stop but they love it and making these memories with Grammy and Papa will be something they will cherish forever.

Annual Christmas Tree Hunt - Dec 2016

This year we decided to get our tree a little early so we had more time to enjoy it. Our tradition is to go to a tree farm and cut down our own tree . . . well this year we "sort of" did that . . . well not really but we tried. We did successfully find a sweet family run tree farm not far from our house but we did not find a tree. Instead we found the perfect tree at a lot alongside the road on our drive home. We spent a fortune but I will say it is the best tree we have ever had and we still had fun.

American Girl Teal with our Little Ladies - Dec 2016

Kallie has decided that an American Girl "look alike" doll will be on the top of her Christmas list for Santa. Since she had never actually been to the American Girl doll store Andrea and I decided to surprise the girls with a Mommy/Daughter Christmas Tea at the store. We got there early so both girls could look around and decide which doll they wanted to ask Santa for and of course I had to take pictures of everything she wanted which ended up being most things in the store and then it was off to tea. Since neither girl actually had an American Girl doll they got to choose one to "borrow" for our tea. Yes, the dolls sit in their own chairs, have their own silverware at your table needless to say the girls were in heaven. Here are a few pictures of our adventure, as you can see Kallie and Lucy are all smiles.

Colorado Adventures - Oct. 2016

We decided to take Kallie out of school for a few days and head to Colorado to visit a few friends. I am so glad we did because it was so much fun. Kallie loved staying at the Hashiguchi's and playing with Lilly & "baby" Marley as she calls her. The weather was sunny so we spent tons of time outside at the park, visiting Red Rocks, going to the aquarium to see the mermaids and even an adult night out (which was cut short by Kallie getting the stomach flu with the babysitter - thankfully it was the last night)! Thanks the the Hashiguchi's for being such great hosts, we can't wait to go back for another visit.