Our December Christmas Tree

We went and picked out our "real" Christmas tree the week before the big day. This year we didn't have a big tree hunt with dinner and games afterward made me a bit sad but it was just too hectic and busy.

An evening out to find our tree, Tay Russ and I rode in the tractor bucket and Dylan followed  along on his sled! 

Beautiful Sunset 

Here we go Big and Beautiful! 

Me trying to stay warm - it started to get windy and cold on the way back ! 

Goofy KID! 

Trimming 

Decorated - the kids loved the garland and beads 

Snow and Spicey

I finally had a bit of time on my hands and decided to take Spice for a little ride around in the snow the temperature was quite chilly so it was a quick ride but fun all the same.

I tried to take a picture while riding, not easy to do - notice her ears  i'm sure shes thinking WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Finding eats

Trying to show the depth of the snow to my boots 

Tay playing in the snow 

Help me PLEASE mommy! I'm stuck

Girl Guides Sleepover

Last weekend Tay and I stayed up at The Hills Health and Guest Ranch

 ( http://www.skithehills.com ) with the Girl Guides. I was a helper Mom! We had 6 little girls, Tay, Zoe, Miah, Harmonie, Jaci and Laura. They were all so good and had so much fun. We did countless crafts, helping with meals and dishes, watched movies, singing and tubing!

Doing dishes after spaghetti dinner

Sing song in the Teepee. We had smores and hot chocolate too!

Tay and Zoe singing together, Zoe was helping Tayler read the songbook

Big bright moon before the eclipse. Unfortunately it clouded over so we couldn't see it. Did you?

Our little tree and a socking for each girl, they were so excited the next morning - where did these come from?

Popcorn and cranberry strings

She loved the tubing it looked so fun. I decided not to go as I had  taken quite a tumble down the stairs the night before and was still a hurting unit - figured I should not make it worse by tubing ! 

We went on a hayride to the Teepee

Tayler getting her Sparks Pin with her Pathfinder buddy Kelly. She was getting very tired at this point and starting to act silly .

On the hayride back to the barn she fell asleep and I couldn't wake her up once we got back to the barn. Thank goodness one of the dads was there and drove us back up to the chalet (whew it was a 15 minute walk back all up hill, with a sleeping little one!)

Kids Christmas Party in The Grove

December 11 The Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Dept had a childrens party for Christmas, it was great. Lunch was provided, games, sleigh rides (except there wasn't enough snow so we went on a wagon ride) Santa visited and had a present for each child there. 

Wagon ride was provided by Ruth Lake Lodge, isn't it beautiful. The Perchrons were huge they had already pulled the wagon for an Hour from the lodge and then took all the kids for a little ride too.
 I complained so much that only the kids could go that they said just get in! Teehee talk about an excited Kelly! 

Dylan and Mike (his best friend) 

Happy Mommy to join the Kids! 

So Beautiful! 

Whohoo Santa Arrived! 

Russ receiving his little gift 

Tay Tay with Santa

Dylan with Santa a little too Cool to sit on his knee! 

Checking out the Fire Trucks! (such brave firemen to little a bunch of kids in the trucks! )  I asked a  friend of ours  who is the Deputy Chief if they provided Child minding while all the parents went on a wagon ride he just laughed! 

Christmas Cutie!

December 3 and 4 we were invited to two church dinners by friends to enjoy the amazing spread of food and the childrens service and LOTS of singing! 

I couldn't catch the boys to get a picture but Tay was more than happy to pose for a picture!

Its hard to see but the bracelet she is wearing my grandma bought me when I was a bit older than her, she was so excited to wear it! 

The little childrens service was so cute they were all dressed up as little wise men and Mary and Joseph lots of sheep and cows and angels. Then they sang some song and one little guy was just belting out the tune at the microphone! 

Tree hunting with Friends

At the beginning of December, Jayson and Bev and their girls and Frank and Loretta and their grandkids came over to find a tree. It was a beautiful day as you can see! 

Is there a kid up there?

Deception Mountains they were so clear! 

Jays helpers as he saws.

Perfect Tree! 

Crazy weather

I took these pictures a couple weeks ago. The sun was just coming up it looked so beautiful! So I was snapping pictures at about 7:30 in the morning Ed woke up saying WHAT ARE YOU DOING???

Looking across the valley towards Forest Grove 

Then a couple hours later this is what the weather turned into- absolutely pouring rain! I went out and locked Spice in her corral and threw some hay in the trees to try keep her from standing in the downpour! 

Then it started to snow and snow and snow, the kids and I went in by the fire and listened to Christmas music and drew pictures. At this point Ed was out at the Sawmill, once the weather let up and the sun came out again we all walked his lunch out to him (Spice too) he was soaked so we didn't stay long and walked back home