Christmas Tradition

For the past 9 years Josh and I have had our own tradition when picking out a Christmas tree. We would go to Home Depot and pick a tree that was wrapped in twine, bring it home and then open in and see what we ended up with. Many times our trees looked pretty funny but we did end up with a few beautiful trees over the years.

Now that our kids are older they think it is fun to open the trees up, check them out and then pick out the perfect tree to bring home. They did an awesome job this year! Our tree is so pretty!!!

It is fun to remember our old traditions but so special to make new ones. Love this time of year, especially with kids!

My beautiful grandma

GG and her girls

The perfect tree!

Swanson Christmas

Every year Josh's Aunt Debbie hosts a "Christmas before Christmas" dinner with each year being a different theme. This year was breakfast and PJ's. My girls love to wear their jams all day everyday so they were super excited that they could actually wear their jammies to dinner. Things have sure changed from the times the "kid-less cousins" would get together and celebrate but it is so fun to see all of the "little cousins" get together and play. The group keep growing and it is such a blessing to have cute new faces every year to love on.

Thank you Deb for hosting such a fun evening year after year! Next year I need to stay away from all the home made desserts!! Especially the cookie dough balls.... :) So good!!!

Kaylee, Parker, Hanna, Emily, Jacob, Reid, Hailee, Blake and Ashlyn

Candy Cane Lane 2011

During the holidays we always visit Candy Cane Lane. This year was a little bit different. We always park and walk the streets and check out the cool lights but since we have Blake and have been so busy lately we decided to just drive through the streets instead. The girls put on their jammies and wrote their letters to Santa at home. We drove to the house with the mailbox and jumped out of the car to mail our letters. We also got out to take a picture with Santa. I love seeing the Christmas magic through the eyes of my little girls. Christmas is so much fun with kids!!!

Daisy's

Hailee's Daisy troop went Christmas caroling at a elderly home. It was so cute to see the older people light up at the sight of these cute little girls. Even though the girls forgot most of the words to the Christmas songs they had a great time and learned how important it is to give back and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

Santa Party 2011

My best friend Shelly has a Christmas party every year and we always get a visit from Santa! It is such a fun time for the kids as well as the adults. We look forward to this event every year!

Such a fun group of cuties!

They get along so well and love each other to pieces.

It is so nice to have such a wonderful group to call family!

Me and my sister Yvonne...never to old to get some Santa love!

Hanna wants crutches for her American Girl Doll

Blake's first visit with Santa!

He is to young to be afraid of the fat man in red :)

Pretty grandma with her little man

Hailee wants a wheelchair for her American Girl Doll

Buddies

Sweet faces

No one ever said being a mom was easy, and it sure isn't, but having these adorable faces to look at everyday makes life pretty awesome! Blake is sure lucky to have his two older sisters. They adore him SO much and are so helpful to me. Its like little man has three mommies :) I love my little munchkins!!!

My artist

Hailee is such a little artist. She is so creative! I had to post this picture she drew so she can look back on it down the road.

Blake- 1 month old

Where has the month gone! I can't believe how fast Blakers is growing. He is such a sweet boy and has been a pretty good baby so far. He is in his crib now and sleeping OK. He has been sleeping a 5 hour stretch but not the perfect 5 hours for me :) I am a night owl and go to bed late so I would prefer the 2nd half of the night being his longer stretch of sleep but oh well. I am really enjoying every minute of him, sleep or no sleep because I know it will be our last baby!

I am adjusting to life as a mother of 3 and couldn't imagine life any different. I feel like my little family is finally complete!

Happy 1-month Birthday little man!

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebrating with family. We spent the afternoon over at my grandmas house enjoying great company and a delicious home cooked thanksgiving feast.

We spent the evening with the Ritter side enjoying drinks and dessert! It was a perfect day!

The Waters side celebrating Thanksgiving

My Aunt Becky and Blake in his thanksgiving outfit

Blake and GG

Check out those hands and feet! He is going to be a big boy :)

Happy 4th Birthday Hanna-Part 2

Going to bed 3

Waking up 4

Hanna has been wanting to be 4 for a while now so it was a very special day waking up and actually being a year older. At her birthday party he was still 3 so she kept saying it was her "fake birthday." On her actual birthday we spent the day celebrating her and having a great time as a family!

Happy 4th Birthday Hanna-Part 1

My little princess is 4!

Hanna Michelle Stats:

37 pounds- 50%

-50-75%

We had such a great time celebrating her b-day at Bounce U with 28 of her closest friends :) Everyone had a great time! It was the easiest party to host because I didn't have to do a thing! Happy Birthday Hanna Michelle! Mommy loves you my sweet girl!