Let it Snow!

First snow of winter and NO SCHOOL DAY! I definitely did not expect this when I woke up and I did not complain. We played in it right away because I had a feeling it was going to melt fast. 

SNOW ANGEL!

Kenton wasn't too sure of the snow. He would belly laugh when Sophia and I would throw a snowball at him! He stood on the porch watching us and kept yelling at us to look at the snow!

This snow was too wet to actually sled, but I took them on a ride on the boogie board around the neighborhood and Kenton liked that!

Sophia had to have a turn pulling and I was happy to let her:)

We were starting to get wet, so building a snowman was our last snow event of the day. It was a little snowman, but a healthy one..olive eyes, carrot nose, and a red pepper mouth.

This day off school was unexpected and it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. We played in the snow, drank hot chocolate, watched a Xmas movie, and got things done around the house that needed to be done.

My 30th Surprise!

YES I TURNED 30! It sounds so much older than 29, but I'm ready to rock it!

I have to give you some history for this post. My birthday was on a Sunday so I knew we would just do my family dinner on my actual birthday, but I was hoping to do something over that weekend to celebrate. I told TJ that I wanted to do something fun to bring in 30, but I didn't know what to expect.  So the Friday before my birthday TJ rented out 4 lanes at the bowling alley and we went with some friends and family. Okay this is where I'm going to sound like a TOTAL brat, but it's really how I felt. BOWLING? Really? Bowling is fun, but that is something we do for whatever. It was still Friday, so I thought maybe something on Saturday...NOPE! We did our normal Saturday stuff and went to Chinese for dinner..wahoo (sarcasm entered)! TJ was Mr. Cool through it all and knew I was dying. On Sunday night (my actual birthday) he was just laughing hard because he knew I couldn't say anything because I still had lots of things to be grateful for, but it was playing out perfectly for him. So we started yet another week. I just had to face it...bowling, chinese food, and family dinner was the BIG 30 (but secretly I was still hoping for something else). Oh and to make it even better, TJ didn't even get me a birthday present...say what?! Yah! Well, my hubby knows me well and treats me even better! HE DID SURPRISE ME!!! He surprised me with a get away with just him and I to Portland. We haven't done anything like this since kids. I have never left Kenton over night so I was a little nervous, but I knew we needed it.  And to make it even better we got to ride the train! That was a first for both of us! We left Sunday morning and got back Tuesday night. He even worked it out with my co-worker, secretary, and principal to get me a sub without me even knowing...that was awesome! While in downtown Portland we stayed in a nice hotel with a doorman, super comfy bed, nice pillows, and jetted tub. We also enjoyed the Christmas decorations/lights downtown, walking/taking public train everywhere, shopping (we got all our xmas shopping done), eating late dinner, sleeping in, talking, not being on a schedule, and being us!

We took the Coast Starlight (2 story car) there and a smaller train back. The train is way laid back! No security to get through, way more leg room (even foot stools), plugs to use for electronics, internet, and more. You do have to be laid back though because the train was 1 hour late coming, but we didn't care!

I had to get a picture of the conductors hat. THEY REALLY WEAR THEM!!!!! Aren't they cute?!

Ready to go! Isn't he hot?! I think so!

Had to check out the bathroom..Way better than on an airplane.

This was the observation car where anyone could sit at. Lots of windows to check things out and tables too. There was also a dining car.

This was cool. This is the Tacoma Narrow's bridges. We drove right under it. 

This is when we arrived and had to check downtown out on the map. Tons of shopping!

Love this sign...BE MERRY!

The famous VOODOO donuts...Bacon maple bar anyone?

I got the VooDoo guy. He had jelly in his head, which was a surprise and not a good one for me, haha! Yuck!

This was huge!!!

This couldn't of happened without my parents and Christine who watched our kids for us. It was something that I will always remember!

Unfortunately Monday night I couldn't sleep because I felt like I was swallowing knives. I was trying not to whine about it, but it hurt bad. I took some pain relief medicine and it got me through Tuesday night. Woke up on Wednesday back at home and wanted to die, but still toughed it out through work. I shouldn't have done that because I ended up having strep throat. I have never had that before and don't ever want it again! Look what happens when you turn 30! Strep throat or not...Again...I am determined to ROCK 30!!! LOVE YOU TJ:)! I seriously am lucky!

Oops, I Forgot Something

This is an addition to my holiday fun post...

We went to our church breakfast and the kids sang a couple songs and were asked to dress up like an angel, Mary, or Wisemen. Sophia knew exactly what she wanted to do. Let me introduce you to MARY! (This is tropical Mary with flamingos and palm trees, hehe)

Holiday Fun

Thanksgiving through Christmas is my favorite!

I love all the holiday fun and traditions! I had to take a picture that Sophia drew on her marker board. Notice the family of turkey's and she even initialed who is who...love it! For Thanksgiving we went to TJ's parent's house and enjoyed lots of fun with his Nana and family. After that we went to my parent's house and ate more food. We then made our route for crazy black Friday shopping and set out for the journey. We got 2 hours of sleep that night.

 The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas decorations come out! This is Sophia's tree that she decorates all by herself. She was quite excited.

 We threw an ugly sweater party for the missionaries at church at our house and had so much fun. Here they are and really focusing on their posing:)

We had a couple minute to win-it games

Sister Daines was excited she won!

And here's the group!

 And it's not Christmas without lights outside! I am so glad TJ loves it too and he did it all by himself! I held my breath when he was on the roof. Every time we drive up to our house with the lights on, Kenton will cheer and clap! That boy loves the lights:)

We had another ugly sweater party with more friends and I made a photo booth with props, so we all had to try them out.

  We also went to my Aunt Sarah's house for a pre- Christmas family dinner. Her house was decorated very pretty and elegant. Can you tell she lives in a no kid house...hence the white couch. We had her put a sheet on it later, hahaha!

 And here's another favorite! The TRAIN:) Kenton loves the train. He loves watching the train and taking apart the train (about 5 times a day, ha!) and can turn it on/off all by himself. There has been many nights where we all just hang in the living room and watch the train go round and round. Kenton  likes to say hi to Santa and the elves on the train as they go around. You can also get a glimpse of our tree. We went to a cut your own tree farm and Sophia actually found it. We don't have pictures because it was pouring rain and I didn't want to ruin my camera.

And here we are with 1 week exactly till Christmas. I am so excited! And at the same time very reflective and grateful for my Savior's birth!!!

Halloween

Now that blogger is working again, I thought I'd post about Halloween before X-mas! TJ was the helper with carving pumpkins and my aunt gave Sophia the cutest princess pumpkin kit that didn't even need carving!

Grandma Brown had to get into it too!

That's what happened when we tried to put Kenton's hand into the pumpkin. I guess he doesn't like slime! ha!

Ahhhh, much better with a spoon!

Proud boy with his ghost pumpkin

And here's Sophia being crazy with like 3 pumpkin seeds in her hand. She wouldn't pull out the guts with her hands either!

Halloween night was pouring down rain. We usually do trunk or treat in the church parking lot, but due to the weather, they took it into the church building. No coats and warmth made this mamma quite happy. It was perfect for my kids. Sophia was a pro and Kenton got the hang of  trick or treating. 

Trick or treat with Aunt Teen

Thanks for the candy. He was fine as long as there was no one with a mask around.

With Nama and Papa Uffens

We made it home and it was time to dump the candy! Sophia checked it all out!

Let the dumping begin

Kenton was SO excited that he just dove right on top of all his candy and started swimming in it! It made me laugh so hard! His face is full of  pure happiness! Yummy candy!