It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas-at least inside!

Since we are heading to Moscow for the majority of December, we aren't going to get a Christmas tree this year. (we'll just enjoy my parents!) I still wanted to get out at least some of my decor, so I decided to have fun with ornaments in unusual places-aka, other than the tree! So here's my fun little Christmas room...now all I need is to put on that Amy Grant Christmas CD! (right, Dad?) So, Merry Christmas everyone-let the advent season begin!

New Hairdos!

For those of you who have both boys and girls, you know how different they truly are-right from the beginning. I love having a boy-I am still learning, probably always will be learning, but I have a wonderful and endless source of wisdom regarding boys in my mother-in-law, Wendy. (after all, she did raise 5 of them!) When it comes to girls, however, I feel like I'm a little more prepared. I have 2 sisters, and we are all extremely different. One of my favorite things to do growing up was to play beauty salon. Yes, I know, I was the typical girly-girl, but that's ok. I still love doing hair to this day. Although Madeline has her tomboyish side-she loves to play cars with her brother-she is all girl. She often goes and steals my red purse, puts on her pink jelly shoes, her purple necklace, and goes around saying "bye-bye! Bye, Mommy!" as if she's about to leave for some important errand. Her hair is finally getting longer, and so we are experimenting with new hairdos. With that said, here are her 'beauty shots.'
1st ponytail-with the big pink bow, too!
Mini braids-a bit more challenging, but so funny they're cute.:)

Thanksgiving!

Breakfast menu: Monkey bread-my 1st time making it, but I think it will become a tradition!

This year was our 1st Thanksgiving by ourselves. We had Jordan come over, and so it was just the 3 of us! Poor Madeline got sick the night before, so she was out for most of the day, but otherwise it was a grand Thanksgiving! I made some of my mom and Wendy's recipes, and they all turned out! Altogether, I would say it was a successful first Thanksgiving!

Helping Mom 'roll' out the dough.

My handsome helper.
All alone, and drinking before the feast!
The table!
About to dive in!
Daddy, holding the poor little sick girl.:(
Catching Jordan, right before a bite!:)
The PIE.
He could live off whipped cream-like mother, like son!
Feeling better, perhaps the pie helped?
Finishing the day with movietime with Jordan.

Portland, Part 2.

Hello, everyone! I am sorry for my lack of posting lately-the holidays are upon us! Things have been busy!!! As I mentioned a few posts earlier, my cousin Peter got married in Portland, OR last weekend. Kathryn, Naphtali, the kiddos and I headed down a few days early to help with the preparations, as my Aunt Jill was the one behind everything! It was so fun to see everyone-all my dad's siblings were there, and some cousins that I hadn't seen in about 3 years!
We had a wonderful, crazy, whirlwind time, and I took LOTS of pictures! I still have a few I need to get from Kathryn, of my Grandma Garfield and Madeline in the sweater she knit for her.
It is so fun to see all the different phases of life that everyone is in-not only did my cousin marry a beautiful, fun girl, there were 3 pregnant ladies there! (My cousin Shelbi, my sister-in-law Naphtali, and my little sister Kathryn). So far, my kids are the only ones on the Garfield side out of the womb, so I am super excited to have cousins for them to play with! 2 boys and a girl to be exact! So here are more of the pics, and we had a great time with you all!


Eating lunch before we all took off.:(So cute.
A crazy girl, getting into the ice bucket!
Last dinner at Grandma's.
Bowling with Ampa! ( he ended up diving on the pins, so as to get a strike. Hobbes, that is.)
All the cousins there(we were missing Jordan, Heather and Hannah)
Handsome, married and a wonderful cousin!
The toasts.
Coloring with Daddy at the table.

They danced to the colored lights all evening!
Doesn't Attie look gorgeous?
Happy to sit with Ama.

Peter and Carin's wedding!

The amazing, several variety cake!
The entire clan! and probably my parents' Christmas card picture!:)
Devouring the wedding cake-cookie.
Fast asleep on Ampa's shoulder.
Always happy with Ampa!
My very handsome buddy boy.
What can I say? he loves small spaces.
Making funny faces with Seth and Carolyn.
Being tickled by Ampa and Aunt Carolyn-I can't say she didn't lovve all the attention!
Hanging out in Grandma's apartment. So cute and pregnant!
Seth and Peter! (Peter and Carin had bride and groom Mickey Mouse Hats-they do live in LA, after all!)
Pop and Jill!
Seth, about to dig in to Italian food, and looking a lot like Hobbes! (or vice-versa, I guess)
Mike and Kathryn.
Naphtali and I at the Spaghetti Factory Rehearsal dinner!!

Kathryn and Naphtali visit!

Last week Naphtali and Kathryn came to visit before we all headed down to my cousin Peter's wedding. We had a great time shopping for maternity clothes( for them, not me) going for walks by the lake, cooking, lighting fires, and just having girl time. These are just a few pics from the visit! Enjoy!

Trying on a cute hat while shopping.Taking a break at the free massage chair.
posing for the camera!
An "I-don't-want-my-picture-taken face."
We went to Kathryn's sister-in-law's(Jennie Owen) house for lunch, and Hobbes got to play trains with George!
Showing off her silver shoes.
Sharing tunes.
Kathryn and Cecelia!
Stealing Aunt Kathryn's tunes.
Trying to get a picture of the 3 of us.
So cute!