Mt. Creek Tree Farm - 2016

Lauren had been asking for days when we were going to get our Christmas tree.  She was up early and ready to roll.

Blake was excited to chop the tree down this year.  That lasted about 30 seconds. Good try, buddy!

Holiday Fun

We checked out the trees and teddy bear suite with the Handsakers and Evatts this year.  I think the highlight may have been the kid's table full of hot chocolate and multiple rounds of marshmallows. 

 Christmas jammies 

Brian was flying so Alison took us to the Alaska family party.  It was in one of their hangers and was decked out for the holidays with plenty of games and goodies for the kids.  The highlight was watching the door (wall) slide open and Santa's plane pull up.

The Nutcracker 2017

I took Blake and Lauren to the Nutcracker last weekend.  It was fun to see the new revamped sets and costumes.  Blake and I agreed we like the old version better....and Lauren said it was "too much dancing". I think it's time for a new holiday tradition..

Lauren,

You are the most amazing girl.  You have your own path in this world and you don't care very much about what other people think. You LOVE your teacher, you love being a student and working hard. Each day you come home from school and get right to your homework.  And if you don't have homework you'll make some up.  You heard that your cousin has weekly spelling tests so now we do weekly spelling tests.

The other day Blake announced that after college he is moving to Chicago, getting a house across from Wrigley field and going to all of the home games.  With out missing a beat you said "after college I'm going to four more years of college because I'm going to be a doctor".

I have no doubt you'll accomplish whatever you set out to do.  It is so fun to watch you come into your own.  I love you so much.

Love, Mom

Halloween Fun

Lauren decided to be a doctor months before Halloween and Blake decided on a banana just in time for his school Halloween party (always a comedian). 

                                   

Beauty and the Beast

Lauren heard about the school play and wanted to sign up (she filled out the paper work before she got home).  She tried out and got the part of Cogsworth the clock in Beauty and the Beast.  It was a pretty big role for her first time on stage and she rocked it! She really loved being in the play, next up - Annie!

Serious Football Fans

A little fall catch up!  

 I had to get a photo.  Everyone here is a Husky fan....until a Cougar win would move the Huskies forward.  So for one evening I was in good company.

 Apple Cup - A House Divided

 Very happy Husky fans - PAC12 champs

New Hardware

In September our little smarty pants got glasses! I've learned that glasses are cool and Lauren seems to love the attention she gets when she wears her glasses.  We were at a birthday party with some friends we hadn't seen in awhile and I was reminding someone of Lauren's name when she took her glasses off and said "oh, maybe you'll recognize me now".  She may think she's famous?

Back to School 2016

Third and First, when did that happen? This summer went by so fast and we had a lot of fun together.  Sometimes I miss having tiny ones, but 9 and 6 are pretty awesome.  I think we're in that sweet spot where Blake and Lauren are big enough to do so much but still young enough to think Chad and I are fun.  I was a little sad to see summer come to an end but these two were ready to get back to it. 

 

Blake's teacher this year is known to be a little strict, but judging by Blake's nonchalant reaction to some of his over the top coaches, we think he'll be just fine.  And his best buddy sits right next to him, we'll see how long that lasts!

 Lauren's teacher is warm and friendly, she is thrilled about being a first grader in a classroom full of friends, most importantly her boyfriend, Maurice!  She came home with a picture from him on the first day and he noticed her new backpack.  He's a keeper! She was also impressed with the "waiters" in the lunchroom.  I'm not sure the recess teachers that help in the lunchroom would love begin called waiters, but Lauren gives their service an A+.

 Do you see how I cropped all of the other photos so you can't see Blake's outfit?  Blake finally agreed to get a haircut, but he got to pick out his back to school outfit (and there was a Subway sandwich involved, he likes to negotiate).  I try to think that if I give some freedom now, there might not be tattoos later. I'll let you know how that works out.  Before I snapped the picture I mentioned his socks were uneven, Blake's response "I know".  Captain too cool.