Our 25 days of Christmas

At the end of November we started planning out our 25 days of Christmas. I made an advent calender for the kids to open daily with a different Christmas activity for them to do each day. Some days were big surprise things (trips, going out shopping, zoolights) but most were simple, quiet things we did in the home. Proud to say we did it all but not all in order because of some schedule changes. I wanted to take the chance to keep the kids busy this year, knowing that next year Travis and I will be outnumbered. I don't have a picture of everything but hope to blog several of the activities. Here it is:

Dec 1: Decorate the tree
Dec 2: Buy Chocolate advent calender
Dec 3: Daddy's work Christmas party
Dec 4: Christmas craft
Dec 5: Hot cocoa by the Christmas tree
Dec 6: Write Christmas cards
Dec 7: Movie night: Little Drummer Boy
Dec 8: Gather some allowance and donate it to Salvation Army Bucket
Dec 9: Look at lights in Sky Island
Dec 10: Read the true story of Christmas (Luke 2:1-20)
Dec 11: Zoo lights
Dec 12: Fantasy Lights with The Frost's
Dec 13: Birthday Party for Jesus with home school group
Dec 14: Wrap presents
Dec 15: Snowflake Lane
Dec 16: Dinner and Christmas fellowship with The Arnolds
Dec 17: The Nutcracker Play (for Lexie)
Dec 18: Christmas craft/ornament making
Dec 19: Pj's, hot cocoa, and stories by the fire
Dec 20: Make fudge with Daddy
Dec 21: Movie night: Polar Express Movie Night
Dec 22: Last minute shopping with Daddy
Dec 23: Wrap presents, hang stockings
Dec 24: Brock family party, Christmas Eve
Dec 25: Happy Birthday Jesus! Go to Olympia and celebrate with more family!

Day 1- Trim That Tree

Neicey and Lex after lots of hard work.

Day 1 of our Advent Calendar activities was to "Trim the Tree." Timed this one nicely on the day my mom comes up to visit, as she is much more talented in the decorating department. Lexie and Liam both helped and it turned out gorgeous. Wondering how many ornaments will stay on this year or how many will face a untimely fatality due to a curious 2 year old? Only time will tell :)

Halloween 2011

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. (25 week pregnant here)


Our super cute, superman

Beauty and all her hair

Halloween was so much fun this year! Knowing Liam would not tolerate anything on his face or head, the cozy but tough superman costume was a great fit. Lex got this awesome wig from Neicey while we were in Disneyland and put it to great use as Belle. Trav and I have never really done the costume thing before but having 3 kids in 4 years made us feel a bit like The Duggar's and we just ran with that. We went around our cul-da-sac and saw some neighbors, then visited Grandma and Grandpa Brock, and finished off at our church's annual Harvest Party. Great memories made!

The cutest boy in the world...turns 2!

Our little Liam turned 2 on October 21st. These days he is sweet, busy, and all boy! He is so much fun and so much work, we wouldn't have it any other way. We celebrated both the kids birthdays together this year with a party at Roach Gymnastics, hope to get pictures up soon. Liam loved that place and literally did not stop running around in circles.
We have enjoyed watching him this last year, as he has had many milestones. Including learning to sleep (something he didn't partake in much the first year of life.) He now sleeps great from 8pm till about 7pm at night, with a mid-day nap for about 2 to 3 hours.
He is gaining more words every week and the doctor said he is right about where most 2 year old boys are at. He knows his colors and ABC's (with some of the phonics sounds) already. His favorite phrases are, "all done?," "hi!", "uh-oh!"
He LOVES being outside in the backyard. Helping dad mow the lawn would be his favorite pastime. He also loves hanging out in the garage. Apparently that is our hidden"man cave."
He does well with structure and routine. Likes to see the same people, in the same places. He still has a small dose of separation anxiety but for the most part we no longer get called out of church and I can leave him with sitters without a problem.
Liam is a lovable little guy. He kisses us at bedtime and greets me each morning with a smile and a "HI!" Despite being a busy body, he still loves to cuddle. He gives the best hugs ever. He is as sweet as he is cute and I am so grateful to have him as my son. I cherish each day I get with him and every bear hug he gives me. God is so good!
Happy Birthday precious baby boy!

A New Tradition

We started a new tradition this year. The night before Travis goes on his annual hunting trip, it is family ice cream night. Worked out great as a distraction for the kids who have been seeing his bags pilling up in the garage. Not bad for me either, as my sole pregnancy craving has been after DQ pumpkin-pie blizzards. You have not lived until you have had one of those! Kids were extra sweet that night and enjoyed getting out of the house right before bed. It's the little things!

Thomasson Family Farm

Driving tractors

Ephraim and Lex jumping in the corn

We love fall here in the country! So gorgeous and great to be near a lot of fun farms. The Thomasson Family Farm in Enumclaw is our new favorite. My MOPS group had a "buy 1 kid, get the other in free" deal that we could not pass up. Amy and her little ones, Ephraim and Selah joined us. The weather was okay at first but later started pouring. We just stayed in the corn-pit and they had plenty of covered activities to keep the kids busy. Actually worked out well since we got to chat and didn't need to chase children all around the farm. Everyone was cold and tired after all that fun, so a Starbucks stop was a must. The Brock Babies love that hot chocolate. Kids took great naps when we got home. Perfect fall day!

Just turned 4

2 weeks till he is 2

The Brock's, beach, and boat

From September 10th, 2011

It was an over 85 degree Saturday in September. So we made plans to meet with Pops and Neicey at Tolmie State Park in Lacey. We did this once last year and got some amazing pictures of the kiddos. This year was no different. Liam just loves this place. He loved throwing rocks, running off in the sand, and checking out the boat. We so enjoyed getting some sun and fresh seawater with the ones we love.