Help?

So... I got a sewing machine for Christmas and I haven't the slightest idea how to use one. I'm hoping that I can find a friend who could maybe go over the basics with me, once we return?

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve started out at my Mom's house. Our tradition is to open pj's and wear them while eating dinner. Layla was having a ton of fun playing with all of the toys she left there from summer time! She almost didn't need any new toys!

We have spent Christmas Eve with our friends the Atherton's every year for quite a while now. Heather and I go way back. Lots of memories. They are always so thoughtful and creative with their gifts to us! Layla got a little shopping cart, just her size! It's so cute. I should post some pictures soon, but right now she keeps getting frustrated that she can't sit in it.

Then we changed and headed over to the Dickson Christmas Eve party at the Puyallup church Building. Yes, they reserve the building each year because their family is so huge!! Tanner's Mom's maiden name is Dickson, so it's all of his family from her side. It is so crazy and fun, we wouldn't miss it! Here's Grandpa (Layla's great Grandpa) giving his annual speach. What a great man. 

Layla was SOOOO excited to see Santa come! (Grandpa dresses up). The minute he walked in the room she started saying, "ho ho ho" and kept saying it with increasing volume. By the time he walked up next to her, she was practically shouting, "HO! HO! HO!" and just wanted to touch him so bad! Very cute. Here is her present from Santa.

Princess Mega Blocks!!

 "Dat!"

Snow here too??

I've got to admit that I wasn't too excited to see more white stuff up here in Washington. I was really hoping for a clear break from the craziness. BUT Layla did get a chance to play in it a bit with Dad, which was really fun to watch.

Here's Layla getting all bundled up at Great Grandma and Grandpa Dickson's.

She was lucky enough to get a ride home in Grandpa's sled! (He lives up the road. And she REFUSED to wear her gloves! We tried, but since it was such a short ride, I said "ok".... I don't know why I feel like I have to explain my bad parenting)

Picture Explanation

I know that the picture in our header is extremely blurry... but I really like it because it reminds me of Christmas morning how I've always known it. I wear contacts and have since the 6th grade. I remember always waking up, WAY too exciting to fiddle around with putting my contacts in, so the world was a bit of a blur. So that's how I see it. Ha! Now you know what it's like.

There's snow one cuter...

"This is fun Mom, really..."

"Look what my furry boots did!"

Sick Days

Layla has had it rough this past week and a half. Sick as a dog. And we've tried everything to make her happy and comfortable. In this instance, an inflatable pool floaty is working quite nicely as a bed.

(look at that lip!)

Watching the Baby Einstein for the 1,000,000th time.

Christmas Tree!

Behold our wonderful fake tree! (without a star)

My nativity that I finally get to set up! YAY!

I love it!

What our house looks like from the outside

I absolutely love it when it's getting late and you just have your tree illuminating the house... it's so magical!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas!

I decided to try to decorate my light fixtures. This is the one in the entry. Looks simple and festive. I did the one over my dining table too... but I can't find a picture.

My kitchen isn't too festive, but I just put up a little garland on my cupboards. I like. I would really like some curtains for Christmas. 

Maybe I can learn to make some!

Chuck and Rita

Ike has been nicknamed "Chuck" by his Dad... and I'm not really sure why. But, "Rita" is the way Ike pronounces Layla. And he is dead serious when he says it too. I think we asked him a million times, "Say, Lay-La" and he would go, "Wreee- Tahh!" So there we have it, Chuck and Rita.

Rita thoroughly enjoyed all of Chuck's loot. 

And she learned a new trick! Thankfully we don't have a coffee table at the moment.

Rita: feeling her new molars

Chuck: playing with an I-Dog and watching Dumbo

Tanner: staring at me taking a picture... kinda creepy

I think this picture is hilarious for two reasons:

1. It looks like Rita thinks Chuck needs a bath.

2. Dumbo's bum is in full view at the same moment.

So great!

This is what Thanksgiving looked like...

We were invited to Leah's house! I always forget how pretty the mountains are. Maybe it's because they're right there, in your face, so you just can't ignore them!

A lovely "kid" table decorated by the Lovely Leah.

The Lovely Leah herself... cooking a masterpiece Thanksgiving Dinner. I really felt like I had it pretty easy this year. Kicking back, watching all the action, making a dish or two, and then enjoying everything that Leah (and Sharsti) had made for me... or uh, I mean, everyone. 

Tanner's job. Slice the turkey. He took this very seriously. And the pieces were perfect.

Layla learned to be a bit bossy. She found out that if you run up and shove a book in someone's face and sign "please, help" along with making the cutest face ever, they will become your slave. 

All in all, this was a great Thanksgiving! We got to see some of Tanner's family and eat the yummiest food. I still have dreams about the yams and stuffing! I can't wait to see the Knighton's again, hopefully sooner than later.