Better late than never...

Finally getting around to posting the holidays. We have been busy around here, okay?! We had a nice relaxing holiday. Spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day at home. It was actually nice to let the kids be home for the festivities. Papa was still here so we weren't completely alone, so that was nice. Christmas eve started out the fun! Sibling gifts, always the most exciting for some reason. :)

Opening Grandma Karen and Grandpa Eddie's gift. OMSI pass!

I love this picture. She is NOT a child that is easily excited. That's Carter. This is a rare picture of her showing her excitement. Can you tell she wanted these? Nah. :)

THE coolest sweatshirt ever!

I love these faces. :)

Then we acted out the story of the birth of Jesus. Papa was such a willing participant. :)

Put on our cute Christmas jammies...

And put cookies out for Santa!

Ella requested that Papa stay up all night to see Santa and report back to her. Since he won't come while kids are awake, naturally an adult had to be assigned such a task. She wanted to know that he actually came and what he was wearing...we are in trouble! Unfortunately Papa fell asleep on duty. Whoops! :)

Fortunately, he did come!

 Ella even got a note from him!

We didn't have anywhere to go so most of the day was spent enjoying new toys!

That night we packed out things and headed to the frozen land of Idaho. 

Nutcracker- The Candy Cane!

Ella had her first Nutcracker performance this year! I loved dancing in the Nutcracker when I was younger and it's fun to now share these traditions with El. She was a candy cane this year! She was THE cutest candy cane ever. I may be a little biased though. :) Hopefully there are many years to come!

This is a couple of her little dance friends. :)

We HAD to take some pictures in front of the dressing room lights. Why not? :)

Carter took this picture. He's pretty good!

Glad you had fun baby girl! :)

The Nutcracker vs. Trail Blazers

The week before Christmas, Ella and I went with our good friend Odelsa to see the Nutcracker! Odelsa has 4 boys so she comes on our girl outings every once in a while. Ella is quite fond of her, she says she is her best friend. Never mind that she is a couple years older. :)

Ella and her best friend! :)

At intermission Ella had to go to the bathroom. She was quite excited to see the wardrobe mirrors in there!

And the spinning chairs!

The Keller Auditorium in Portland. It was our first time there. Not Pantages, but it was pretty cool. :)

While we were out doing girl things, Brady wanted to do something with Carter. He decided to take him to a basketball game! Since my dad was here, he went along! I only have a couple pictures my dad took on his phone. Looks like he had a GREAT time!

He's been chanting "Let's go Blazers!" since. He's a huge fan now!

Christmas time

I figure I will start with the Christmas odds and ends...

Opening some Christmas jammies!

Auntie Cass sent these hats for the kids. Aren't they cute?!

He loves his new hat!

Grammy sent this awesome Christmas craft. It was work I tell you! :)

The modeling of the jammies.  Best picture I got. Seriously. He was not cooperating! 

Ella's Christmas gift to her teacher. She loves monkeys, so we made her a folder. Along with some cute page savers we made! 

Her teacher gave them each a gift. I thought that was so thoughtful! Ella loved it!

Papa showed  up the about 10 days before Christmas. We had to give him his Christmas gift early! He was going to a Blazers game with Carter and Brady. "Let's go Blazers!". More to come on that in the future. 

Carter's classic guns. :)

We did make a real life gingerbread train but I don't have pictures for some reason. I helped in Ella's class when they made gingerbread houses and since there was a ton leftover her teacher gave me half the extras! So the kids and I did them again at home. I am all for the ones you just eat right away. Next year I am going for that option only!