The Christmas Day 'Brunch'

Auntie Kim and Uncle Thane invited us over for brunch on Christmas Day. However, we are rather slow-moving in the morning, so we decided to do more of a lunch:) My goal was to be to Kim's house by 9:30ish but in reality, I don't think we got there until closer to 10:30!

Grandpa Glen and Grandma Tara were also there. (After Grandma and Grandpa Gillette came to visit last week, Annaliese has started referring to her grandparents as 'Grandpa Gillette,' 'Grandma Gillette,' Grandpa Glen,' and 'Grandma Tara.' It's pretty cute!) Thane's parents, Jack and Diane, joined us for the day as well.

Annaliese and Elias had a great time playing with some of Elias' new toys and Kyle was able to join us about 2:00. We spent the day just hanging out, playing a few games and of course, eating some tasty food!

 This is one tired looking little peanut! (I think this is day 4 with no nap...not a good situation)

Our own family Christmas

Kyle and I decided that moving into a new house and having to furnish it and organize it was going to be our gift to each other. And since the girls are re-discovering all of their toys that have been packed in boxes for months, we didn't really get them much either. 

So it's a good thing that Grandpa and Grandma Gillette, G-Momma, Great Aunt Laurie and Uncle Peter and Auntie Sarah and Uncle Jon sent a few packages our way...otherwise our tree would have been pretty bare!

We went to church on Christmas Eve for a really nice Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. Haleigh looked adorable in her Christmas dress (although she pooped all over her tights...) and we opened one present after church before going to bed. I asked Annaliese if she wanted to leave cookies out for Santa but she told me No. She said he already had enough cookies and he didn't need any more! 

Christmas morning Kyle had to go to work, so I took Annaliese and Haleigh over to Auntie Kim's house for Christmas brunch. More on that in the next post:) Kyle was able to join us over there for a little while and we headed home for dinner to celebrate our own little Christmas. I had planned on making salmon for dinner (which I did) but it was probably the worst salmon I've ever made. Oh well...better luck next year;) 

 The girls in their first pair of matching pj's

While I was getting dinner ready, Annaliese moved all the presents to the living room in front of the fireplace. We opened a few gifts while dinner was cooking, but saved the majority of them for after dinner. By then, Haleigh bear was so exhausted that we ended up putting her to bed and Annaliese got to open all the presents! She loved it!! Needless to say, we are all very thankful for the gifts we received and are excited to use/wear/play with them all! 

 Both of the girls received personalized bean bag chairs from Grandpa and Grandma Gillette! 

Daddy had to help open up the present from Uncle Mark and Aunt Penny...they sure know how to wrap a present! 

Since Christmas, we have had a lot of fun doing puzzles, going fishing with the homemade magnetic fishing pole and fish, and reading stories! In addition, all of our wardrobes have received a few much-needed additions!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

It's Christmastime!

Our Christmas celebrations got off to an early start on December 20 with the Hendricks Family Christmas. Auntie Kelsey, Uncle Ben and Mallory came up from Seattle and stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house for the weekend. We headed over Saturday morning for breakfast and to get the party started!

 As soon as breakfast was all cleaned up, we headed around the Christmas tree...we started with stockings and then, since everyone was still happy, started with gifts as well. We are definitely blessed and everyone came home with some pretty awesome gifts!

 Love those curls!

 Cousin Mallory

 Haleigh went through 3 outfits today...

 Cousin Elias focused on something!!

 Auntie Kelsey and Uncle Ben gave Annaliese a new mixer for her birthday/Christmas combo since hers quit working a few months ago. This one is actually designed to use for real:) It also came with a blender and a coffee pot...and was a bit of a challenge to get into!

 Kyle and I both got a pair of snowshoes for Christmas!

Annaliese and her new sleeping bag!

We did take several breaks throughout the gift-giving for coffee, more food, and to give the kiddos their naps. I think there was about 15 minutes where all 4 kids were upstairs at the same time! It was a quiet, peaceful 15 minutes!! We were also able to fit in a few rounds of Catch Phrase during which Annaliese and Elias managed to spread puzzle pieces and blocks throughout the whole house. But they were happy and having a good time doing it!

 Auntie Kelsey and Elias watching something online; Uncle Ben is either reading or watching tv...

 We had a delicious lunch of spiral ham and roasted potatoes with a pomegranate and pear salad and fresh bread! 

Grandpa and Grandma Gillette Come to Visit!

Last weekend Grandpa and Grandma Gillette made a quick trip up to WA to see our new house and where we are living now! They arrived on Thursday morning and we spent the day just hanging out at home. Once Kyle got home from work, we headed out to The Cliff House for dinner to celebrate my birthday. The girls did amazingly well and we all enjoyed each other's company. (The food was just so-so!) 

Friday Kyle had off from work so we spent the day doing some house projects like cleaning the gutters, setting up the swing set and discovering a few fun things that were left in the attic! I headed off to work only to return home after a few hours with a migraine. While having a migraine is never fun, it did mean that I got to cuddle on the couch with Annaliese while we all watched Frozen together!

 Fixing the BBQ...it blew over in the wind the day before!

 Love this smile!

Saturday morning my parents came over. They were babysitting Mallory for the day so she came along too! It is always fun to see the cousins interact together! Mallory is crawling all over the place so that was entertaining to watch.

 Cousin Mallory just taking it all in!

 Haleigh checking out Grandpa's coffee!

 We found this reindeer up in the attic...it was pretty funny watching Kyle and Grandpa figure out how to get it down!

They had to head home Sunday and both Kyle and I had to work Sunday; needless to say, I think we were all glad to see each other again! It was a short trip but full of lots of fun and Annaliese definitely loved playing with Grandpa and Grandma Gillette! 

 13 attempts at a photo of Grandpa and Grandma with their granddaughters...here's a few:)

Quick walk/bike ride around the neighborhood