Where was Jesus born?

Creche: a small or large modeled representation or tableau of Mary, Joseph, and others around the crib of Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem, as is displayed in homes or erected for exhibition in a community at Christmas season (dictionary.com).I had to look up the meaning to this word the first year we went. Now it is a family tradition for the third year. What a wonderful way to feel the true spirit of the season as a family. We enjoyed looking at the hundreds of nativities, being the nativity (pretty good picture for the first shot), visiting with old friends, and goodies of course, but most of all we enjoyed the music. There was a group playing several instruments including percussion, guitars, a picalo, and three vocalists. We listened to them perform for almost an hour. No one wanted to leave. It was peaceful and wonderful.
At the end Kate had found some fliers for the Messiah and was handing them out to people passing by. Then she told me she wanted to be a 'teller'. "Just ask me a question" So I asked her who Jesus's parents were, which she knew, then where he was born, which she didn't know. After the last song Kate came running up to me and exclaimed "Now I know where Jesus was born, on a mountain, I learned it from them!" They had just finished "Go Tell it on a Mountain"
So, we've been reading some Christmas stories including the stable this week!

Happy Thanksgiving

If you're spending too much time worrying about what you're making for Thanksgiving dinner, or Black Friday deals, don't forget what Thanksgiving is all about.... Here's Kate's version that she got from preschool yestereday.

It reminded me what I am thankful for. Happy, healthy, sweet children.

Paige Walks

She's official. We have a walking near accident on our hands at all moments. She has two big bruises on her head already. But it's cute watching her toddle around the house collecting things in her purses or stroller.

Busy Mama

Here's a few pictures of some of the projects I've been up to lately.

Thankful blocks at Super Saturday.

Gordon B. Hinckley's BE's. (The square at the top is a metal bee). A project that has been in progress for over a year.

A growth chart for the kids from Super Saturday.

An update to the kids' bathroom.

And I cleaned out and painted the boy's room. Wow, what a project and what an improvement.

And while I was at it I painted the entry and upstairs hallway. No one else would probably notice, but I love it. It's warm and clean.

And if all that in October wasn't enough I started making gift baskets. A friend of mine works for a Periodontist who gives food gift baskets to the dental offices that refer to him. I made up samples of three sizes and then took them in for his approval. Luckily, he liked what I came up with and hired me to make about 80 more! It's been a really fun project for me so far.

I love food and being creative. I thought it all came together nicely.I found a container wholesaler in Kirkland, but had to spray paint the large baskets red.

This large one would be about $150 retail. It's full of all sorts of yummy things. I'd love to eat them all!

I got everything from Costco, Sam's, Grocery Outlet, and Trader Joe's. The best part about the project is that I was paid a lump sum and I just buy everything, put them together, and keep the change. Perfect project for frugal me.

Halloween Happenings

I scored some free tickets to a performance of 101 Dalmations on Mercer Island. The kids and I had a busy day of a soccer game, a soccer banquet, playing at a park on Mercer Island, and then the play all before an evening of candy collecting. Tyson even went with a friend to a haunted garage.
The picture above was a Halloween miracle. It only took me two shots to get that picture of four kids in costume.Tyson the friendly warewolf.

Bradley the ninja.

Kate, who was feeling sick still, just threw on some wings, tutu and headband with the outfit she had worn that day. She only went out trick-or-treating for a little while. At trunk-or-treat she was a pink poodle.

Paige never made it out of the house in her darling butterfly costume. She slept through trunk-or-treat and trick-or-treat. It was a great excuse for Rick to stay home and watch the Phillies play in the World Series!

Ella, Kate, Aidyn, Taylor, and Sydney(not pictured).

Kate passed out on candy...

Tall Enough?

Those who know our family realize that there is not a lot of height going around. Well, Paige seems to have gotten it all. At her one year old check-up she is still "off the charts for height." (99th%, and dropping to 87% for weight). But apparently it's not enough. The lower drawers are not sufficient to subside her curiosity, she has to get on her tippy toes to explore the top drawer. No reason to start organizing now, they get rearranged everyday!

All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth

Bradley lost both of his top two teeth in October, just in time to sing him, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!" I thought it was cute. He said "I know I'm getting more than that." Stinker.

First Birthday Favorites

I love first birthdays! Even though Paige will never remember it, it was so much fun. I made her a crown cake.

We took a few moments to relax before the Hatch's, my mom, and Jeff came over for soup and salad. She was so excited and didn't even know what was coming.
First she played 'Pat-A-Cake' on her cake.
Then she tasted it realized how fun this really was (but I couldn't keep everyone else away from getting a slice).

After a while so went straight for a lick. She just sucked on it! It was adorable.

There was no shortage of help opening the gifts. She got a stroller walker from Grandma and LOVED it. It was 1 1/2 hours past her bedtime but she wouldn't stop walking with it back and forth across the family room dozens of times. And she wouldn't let anyone near it or she would start squalking.

She has been in heaven with her new found upward mobile freedom since. It only took a few days; now she can turn and maneuvere that thing all over the downstairs enhancing her ability to discover all sorts of new things (yeah for me!).

Happy 1st Birthday Paige. I love first birthdays and I love you. What a sweetie.

Fall Sports

For being the littlest guys on the team, Tyson and Bradley are doing great this year in sports. I've truely enjoyed watching them play. Tyson is playing fall ball Little League with 10, 11, and 12 year-olds. He has played mostly 2nd base, catcher, and pitcher. He's had some nice hits too. My favorite moment... watching him hit off his friend Christian, who was on the opposing team.

Bradley is playing soccer for Kent Parks on a Second Grade team. Hehas been aggressive again this year. He does really well at defense and midfielder because he's not afraid to get in there and get the ball away from the opposing team (even when the kids are a lot bigger). He's played all positions including goalie. But the best part about this year is that he has learned to dribble, instead of always kicking it away. My favorite moment... watching him dribble up and shoot a goal right over the goalie's head in a scrimmage.

Fair FUN

After some pressure I finally succumbed and we took the family to the fair with my Mom and Jeff. I was worried about the begging and whining about food, rides, games, trinkets.... Amazingly, we had very little of that. We just enjoyed the animals, pumpkins, Weird Al's Brain exhibit, and the hypnotist.

We had a really great evening. And with coupons to get in, we only spent a total of $11 for the family. (We only captured a few pictures before my battery ran out).

Princess Party

Happy 4th Birthday Kate! Like all the 3-4 year old girls, Kate was so excited to have a Princess Birthday Party.

We were lucky enough to have another beautiful September day to celebrate with several of her friends, and cousin, Megan.

We played 'girl, girl, princess', 'pass the slipper', 'pin the crown on the princess', and 'princess and the pea'. Then we had a princess treasure hunt to find the party bags of girly goodies. The girls loved the games and Kate loved all of her presents.

I made a cake full of princesses per Kate's request.

What a beautiful, fun girl. We love you Kate, we hope you always stay this sweet.

School Days

The strike finally ended and school began 10 days late (the kids will have shortened Christmas, Mid-Winter and Spring Breaks). Kate was so excited to start her second year of Mom's Day Out. She has an awesome teacher, Miss Molly, who is so animated and fun. And she has already starting reviewing the letters with them. There are only 9 kids in her 3 hour a week class. Next year she will be in pre-K.Kate's teacher asked her what her mom does for work. Kate replied "she works at the hospital and makes people feel better by telling them to eat their vegetables." I loved it!

During Kate's first day of school, we went on a hike our neighborhood friends.
It was a lot of fun except for the soreness that ensued because the several flights of stairs with 24# Paige strapped on.

I had to work the first day of school, but Rick captured the moment well. It was my first day of a 3 week stretch (Mon-Thurs). Thanks to Mom for helping out with the kids, and thanks to Dad for going to Africa so she could!

Tyson is in 5th grade, in Mrs. Anderson's 5th/6th combo, after having Ms. Pak two years in a row-and a total of 3 years (he also had her for Kindergarten).

Bradley is looping with Ms. Lutes again in 2nd grade, hurray, we love Ms Lutes.

I made it to greet the bus after school, it was a beautiful sunny first day, even though it was the middle of September.

Christian, Tyson, and Zac.

Bradley, Dion Ray, and Tyler.