We had a pretty fun and eventful past weekend, full of family, baking cookies which we love to do every year, Christmas parties, and presents. Yesterday we celebrated our Christmas with Mom E and Courtney then went to Len and Luann's annual Christmas party. It was a blast. I was kinda bummed that I had to miss my work party but we had so much fun at Len and Luann's house. Mom and Dad Vander Velde watched the kids so it was great that Chris and I could go and relax and not have to worry about chasing the kids around. We actually got to visit with people and I feel like I got to know everyone a little bit better as well:) In the am, we celebrated Christmas with Mom E. and it was fun. The kids got such great gifts, as always. She always knows exactly what to get them and what they will love. This year, Chris and I were surprised with a trip (plane flight and hotel) to Vegas. We are so so excited. Just the two of us, no kids, to Vegas. I have never been there before and cannot wait. She gave us a coupon to watch the kids while we are gone, and she also gave us some spending money and tickets to a show down there. YAH!! Vegas, here we come!! Also notice in the pictures, we all have matching PJ's. I just love it. Chris thinks it it cheezy but I think that it is so so cute. Today we went to the shop for a while and had a mini Christmas party there. Len and Luann had gifts for the kids and so did the Eustice's. Levin and Lily got to play and Nolan chased his new ball around, from Ben, Lainie, and Levin. Levin and Lily play so nice together. She absolutely loves him and talks about her "cousin Levin" all the time. Today, they were playing restaurant.

WOW!!

Ok, wow do I feel bad. I just realized that I have not been posting anything on here. Things have been so crazy and busy for us. And Christmas is coming up so fast. It seems like I have not had any time lately to keep things updated or do anything on the computer besides work :)

Chris has been working in Iowa three days a week so the kids and I have been spending lots of time together. They asked him to come down to help out for a while and he agreed. So we have not seen him too much this December.

I went up to Minnesota with some mommy friends at the beginning of December and had an awesome time. It was so nice to get away and enjoy the company of other people :)

Lily has been in dance class and loving it. She had her first recital type thing the other day and it was so cute. She has been sledding a lot, making snowmen, and enjoying making Christmas cookies and goodies.

Nolan is trotting around like crazy and getting into everything. He also loves to be read to so we spend much of our days reading books.

We saw Santa many times and Nolan is still scared of him. Lily just loves to sit on his lap. It is great because I think now that she is three this year, she is starting to understand Christmas, which is neat to see through the eyes of kids. We watched the horse parade in Oregon last weekend, as they had their winter festival going. Tuesday night, I had lots of mommies over for a holiday party. It was so much fun and we did an ornament exchange. We had wine, and lots of appetizers. We chatted and enjoyed each others company. It was great.

This week is filled with many Christmas parties. I am really looking forward to staying home with just the four of us on Christmas morning, though. That is something that is so important to me with the kids and now that they are getting older, I want our family Christmas to be enjoyable and at home with the kids on Christmas morning. We had to sacrifice attending the Erfurth Christmas but I really wanted to stay home with the kids so they could slowly open their gifts and we could enjoy the company of each other. So many times, we open gifts so fast and rush off from place to place. I am really looking forward to it this year.

Here are some recents of the kids.