zoolights.

A few pictures from our annual trip to Zoolights. No big. The pictures aren't that awesome, because I sort of refuse to learn about using my flash, but we had a great time. And we continued our family tradition of bribing the children to skip the two-hour line for the train by promising them a plastic light-up toy from the gift shop. It works every time, folks. Coming up.....HAWAII.

hunt.

Um, so I am frantically trying to catch up on posts so that I can get to this: WE ARE IN HAWAII, PEOPLE!! It's beautiful. And sunny. And warm. And sunny. But I have this compulsive like, THING that won't let me put up that post unitil I finish the ones from before. Damn you, type A personality. Damn you. Anyhow.

We love the christmas tree farm. We really do. We've been going to the same one since we moved to McMinnville, and it's the best. There's hot chocolate, and sunshine, and chickens, and homemade treats, and lots of mud, and best of all, a wagon ride with horses and jingle bells and all the works. So, this year, even though we didn't get a tree (WE'RE IN HAWAII, PEOPLE!!!) we couldn't let the season pass without a trip to Northwest Family Farms. So, we helped the Brewers hunt down their tree. And it was great! And did I mention all the sunshine?

obligatory family christmas tree farm pic!

the crew, carrying the giant tree

the mamas. isn't my friend amy just too cute?

just so you know, this is james. my daughter's future husband.
because seriously, who would not want to sit across the thanksgiving table
from that face for the rest of your life? and how could you not love a
three year old who calls your daughter "baby o-ey" and kisses her on
both cheeks whenever given the opportunity?

The main problem with my children is that they're just so un-photogenic. Sigh. I guess I'll just have to keep trying.



And p.s.? Please lock up your daughters between the ages of two and seven. Because I simply cannot be responsible for their actions when he looks at them like this.


Or this.


Or when he smiles at them like this.


Oh dear. We're in for some trouble with this one.



After working hard to build consensus on the PERFECT christmas tree, we refueled at Zippy's Pizza. Of course, the pizza and the company were the best, and the arcade games are always a hit, but on this lovely Saturday in December the highlight of the day was the vending machine full of fake .... mustaches. Seriously, I hope everybody who has children enjoys them as much as we do. Because our kids are super fun. And after all the trauma of raising them, the least they can do is put on a fake mustache, stand against the wall, let us take their pictures and laugh hysterically about them for years to come. I mean, come on.

giving thanks.

Of course, there is so much to be thankful for. Like, duh.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

Exhibit D:

above photos are by Jenna, at dolce photography. that post coming soon.

This year was a different Thanksgiving for us. We were in McMinnville, Shawn's family was in California, and my parents were in Hawaii. New. Different. Not necessarily the holiday we were hoping for. But, like I mentioned before, we have so much to be thankful for. And that includes an amazing community of friends, who invite us to come and have dinner at their house. We had such a great day. It felt just like home, and just like family. And that's saying a lot, because our families are pretty great.

So thanks to the Collins family for being our fRamily on Thanksgiving, and all the time.

Hattie & Chloe had a great time microwaving their babies.

Shawn felt quite at home - taking a teeny snooze post-turkey.

working girl.

That's right. That's me. Apparently you CAN earn a paycheck from just pouring wine for happy people! I helped out some friends over the few weekends around Thanksgiving, and boy, it was fun. I almost hesitate to call it work. But I did earn a paycheck. :)

fundraising.

So, remember how we're not talking about the fact that my parents moved to Hawaii? Well, before they moved, they had to downsize a bit. Like, a lot. They also needed to raise some funds for their new church, which needed a lot of work and some new chairs. So, in addition to an awesome donation from our great church, we came up with a fun way to raise a few more bucks. We invited a big group of friends to come over and buy a chunk of a sizeable wine collection.

Can I just say, it was a GREAT party. I think it might have been my best party yet. My house was full to bursting with people we love, and who love my parents. There was amazing food, great wine, a few tears, great conversation that lasted till the wee hours, and to top it all off, we raised an extra $1100. I kid you not. Our friends are amazing, and generous, and some of the best people I know. Hopefully they will enjoy their purchases!

No action shots of the night - I was just a bit too busy!

making us happy today.

try not to smile. try it. dare ya. and try to keep your feet still, or your booty from shaking. we're loving this song and video at our house today. we even had an impromptu dance party in the car on the way to school when it came on the radio. hope you enjoy it too!

What she did while I made her a bottle.

Stinker. I seriously walked away for two minutes.