Christmas 2015

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is decorating my house with Christmas lights.  I was really happy with how they turned out this year.

But . . . again this year, the weather gave its best go at foiling my efforts.  After rehanging my candies 3 times, I gave up.  But I'm already brainstorming how I can beat the elements next year. 

Christmas Eve tradition - Christmas Playdough

Making cookies for Santa

Then Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Lindsey got there in time for a Christmas Eve bedtime story.

The next few days after Christmas, we just enjoyed spending time together and making holiday memories. 

 

 

  

I'm ending 2015 feeling happy and grateful. 
Some of this years stepping stones brought hard days.  But those same stones brought about much learning, growth, progress, and love.
I wonder what stepping stones await us in 2016.

Thanksgiving 2015

Snoqualmie pass was clear and sunny, so we got in car and went to Grandma and Grandpa's for Thanksgiving.

When we weren't eating Grandma's yummy cooking, we were playing like Pinterest pros. 

 

And you CAN'T go to Northern Idaho during the holidays without a visit to Locomotion Park.

It was a short trip but a fun way to start off the holiday season.

Mary Poppins

The twins participated in their 3rd production with KCMT.  My girls learn lots at KCMT.  Sure they learn how to sing and dance, but they also learn how to be brave, how to be kind, how to listen, and how to work hard.  They learn what dedication looks like.  And they learn that "The show must go on!" even when the power goes out during a vocals rehearsal. 

This year, to help advertise for the upcoming performance, the KCMT kids performed a couple of numbers down town during the trick-or-treat festivities.  Who knew Minnie Mouse and Astrid were KCMT veterans!

After weeks of hard work, dress rehearsal week finally arrived.  And so did some company! In between dress rehearsals we did fun things like color, play in the backyard, and give my ADORABLE nephew his first hair cut.

 

Costumes - check.  Hair done - check.  Stage make up - check.  Ready for dress rehearsal.

Finally time for opening night.

 

After a great show it was time meet their adoring fans.

 

 

 

KCMT is an entirely volunteer run organization.  I filled some of my volunteer hours this time running the spot light.  I loved it.

Being in a play can make life a little hectic at times, but lessons learned, confidence built, memories made, it's totally worth it. 

Halloween 2015

Got something new for our yard decorations this year.  :)  My love spoils me.

This years pumpkin carving:

Miss E Mae was very independent and wanted to do it all by herself. 

 

Shortcake too, actually did some of her own cutting this year.

 

One of our friends from church came to help with our carving.  These two teamed up and I think their design was the hardest.

 

This years costumes!

Little red ridding hood and the big bad wolf.

It was kind of a really neat year.  All 3 of my girls wore costumes that used to be mine!

E Mae wore my Astrid costume from a few years ago.  This is a picture of her and a friend who also had a How To Train Your Dragon costume this year.

I wore this Daisy Duck costume when I was in Kindergarten and 1st grade.  I wore this Minnie Mouse costume when I was in 2nd and 3rd grade.  I remember winning several costume contests when I wore them myself.  These 2 cuties won a prize with them too. 

Family photo at our trunk-or-treat:

Finished off our Halloween with pumpkin face pancakes.