Oregon Zoo Lights

Saturday night my parents took us to the Oregon Zoo to see all the Christmas lights. It was a freezing cold night, but we had fun.

The zoo train is the BEST. I remember riding this when I was a kid.
B loved the train. Notice his red hands--he refused to wear his gloves. Typical boy!

Not the greatest picture.....

Christmas Morning

Santa really spolied B this year with lots of new toys, books and clothes. I'm not going to lie, he liked stepping on the boxes more than anything. :)

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Katie and Kyle's and had a blast. So fun to see the kiddos together on such a special holiday. I'm bummed I didn't get a family picture, but I'll remember to next year.

Ahhh three of my favorite people :)

B wasn't into opening presents, but LOVED playing with his cousin's toys. Of course my little cleaner found the vacuum!
The present opening begins.....

Kennedy and Bennett were so tired they needed lots of help unwrapping. I have a feeling that won't be the case next year.

Our wonderful hostess

Portland Children's Museum

The day after we arrived in Oregon, Val and Mark were kind enough to take Little B to the Portland Children's Musuem so I could do some last minute Christmas shopping. When Bennett got home he was all amped up and I could tell he had a great time. I know he loved spending time with his auntie and soon-to-be uncle. Thank you, Val and Mark!

Filling up his grocery cart

Driving the car--what is it with little boys and steering wheels?
Val said she couldn't get him away from this thing.

Checking out his items

More steering wheels and buttons :)

When Val told me about this water part I laughed. She said B wouldn't keep his apron on and was splashing around the water so much he was drenched. Yep, that's Bennett!

Dance Party

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to rotate this video clockwise, so please just turn your head to the left and enjoy our little man dancing to his Auntie Dee's Lady Gaga CD.

Oh Christmas Tree.....AND Tailgating

We went down to HMB to Santa's Tree Farm for Mark Moretti's 7th Annual Xmas Tree Cutting and Tailgate. If you cut down a tree you might as well do it with a yummy cocktail right? Our group was the envy of the tree farm and we had a blast.

Part of the set up....

B had a ball. He is so independent and loves, loves, loves playing with the older kids. He was with the kids the whole time except when he ate lunch.

Our tree! Had to get a skinny one again this year for our family room.

B picked this one AFTER we had already cut ours down. :)

Some of the kids playing. There were toys and games everywhere. Seriously, nothing was forgotten at this tree cutting party. You should have seen the spread for lunch.

Lining the trees up for the best tree contest.....

Let's just say everyone was a winner. :) The kids won treat bags and the daddies won wine. Great prizes for all!

Holly's Visit

One of my oldest and dearest friends came to visit last Sunday from LA. Holly and Michael were up in the Bay Area to visit his family for Thanksgiving so Holly stayed the night with us Sunday and flew out of SFO the next day. I loved getting to spend a full 24 hours with one of my best friends. Holly lived in NYC for the past 5 years so I'm so thankful she is back in Cali and look forward to more frequent visits!

Gobble Gobble

Just realized my posts are a bit out of order, whoops. I need more sleep! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! We enjoyed a great turkey day celebration in Tahoe with the Simons. So fun to escape the real world and head up to the snow to relax for a few days. We are so thankful for all our wonderful family and friends.

Thanksgiving Day cocktail hour in the cube

Ahhh milk.....

Cousin Megs, Me and Dee

Working off all that turkey Friday in the snow storm

Check out those gloves!

Man, shoveling snow is hard work. Time to sit in the massage chair and relax.

First Football Game

What can I say, football is in Bennett's blood. We went to the Stanford vs. Notre Dame game on Saturday with friends and boy, was it an exciting game! I must admit, I was a bit hesitant to take B. I thought there was no way he would last through hours of tailgating and a 5 pm game time, but knowing Julie would be there with Annalia made me agree to it. Our mommy game plan was to have fun together and last as long as the kids would allow, then run out to the car and get them home to bed. Bennett looooved the game. He clapped whenever the crowd cheered (which was A LOT of clapping) and fell asleep on me during the 3rd quarter. He woke up and was ready to go with 5 minutes left in the 4th. Bummed I missed the exciting finale, but I was so proud of my little guy.

I didn't take many pics, but here is B and Annalia in the wagon before the game. They loved riding around in it together.

B leaning in for the kiss. :)

Success? Hmm....he's smiling and Annalia is covering her mouth. ha

Meet Lucy

We dog sat Scott and Martin's 5 year old Brittany the last few days. We've taken care of Lucy a bunch over the years, but this time was much different since Bennett joined our family. Bennett was in heaven and followed Lucy around everywhere. I'm pretty sure Lucy gained a few pounds during her stay with us and I thoroughly enjoyed her licking up Bennett's scraps after meal time. My hardwood floors never looked so good. Thank you Lucy!

Bennett eating honey sticks in the car. He would feed one to Lucy and then Lucy would lick his fingers!

Katie and Baby Elie!

My best friend Katie and her 4 month old daughter Elie came to visit us from Portland the past 4 days. It was so much fun to have them in town! Bennett was super into Elie the first day and then pretty much did his own thing the rest of the time. He kept saying, "Hiiiii E" and then would pat her head. Elie is such a good baby and smiles all the time. I loved getting my special cuddle time with her (something I miss dearly now that B is so busy and mobile). Believe it or not, the kids were on the same schedule and napped GREAT, so Katie and I got to have some QT of our own. HEAVEN!!

Holding hands

Elie LOVED Justin and spent many hours sleeping on him. B was a bit territorial when one of us would hold Elie. He would have to come hug us or sit by us so he wasn't forgotten.

Katie and B