NYE with our gnomies 2023

gnome trail, hot tub, drinks, lasagna and dance party for my gnomies

museum

took grandma and grandpa to the white river valley museum this afternoon, followed by a trip to the library next door.  good timing, this was the last day to vote on their christmas trees, and we all loved the alice in wonderland tree the best!

round 2

 second 1000 piece puzzle during grandma and grandpas visit

gift of experience

gifts of experience are my favorite!  today we went to the slime factory in the factoria mall to make two different kinds of slime.  the kids had a blast and it was so much fun to watch and participate with them!  thank you to our cousins for this awesome gift!!!

date night

taking advantage of a date night while grandma and grandpa are here.  tonight we tried out a new brewery in tacoma called E9 and of course our fave (SIG).

pizza date

we all went on our own pizza dates.  jarad and i went for pizza and beers in tacoma and grandma, grandpa and the kids went to cascadia!  pizza makes us happy!

he remembers

grandma and grandpa were here when we picked banjo up from the semi adoption truck back in august and from the looks of it, i am certain he remembers them!  

puzzle

it is tradition to do a 1000 piece puzzle when my parents visit.  the kids have been too young to participate and we usually cover the puzzle with a sheet so they don't mess up the pieces.  but this time both kids showed an interest in helping, especially bowie.  

she would study the box and find the piece and put it right in place, she would also study the loose pieces and find it's spot.  i do not have this ability and this is the exact same way jarad does puzzles.  i was amazed to see her complete so much of this puzzle and do it so methodically and effortlessly.  

the whole family was doing the puzzle together and it was fun to watch them work as a team and all have a different job.  the puzzle is now completed and on to the next one!

homemade gifts

 bowie's first grade teacher did a fabulous job with the gifts this year, look what bowie brought home from school.

first grade 2022-2023

coasters

merry christmas 2022

christmas morning 2022

NEW christmas eve tradition

jarad had a great idea to start a new christmas eve tradition this year.  the kids can open up a small gift (which will be a lego set) so they can build and play the night before christmas.  it is fun and special to create new traditions with your family, maybe even one day our kids will pass this onto their own family.