On A Tree Hunt

I look forward to this day every year and I know Addison does too, the day we go hunting for the the perfect Christmas tree. (And by perfect I mean the least crooked and least non-symmetrical one I can find before Daddy loses his patience!)

Addison pulled Landon in the sled for the first time. He was having a great time dragging his glove alongside the sled and then eating the snow off his glove. It was such a little kid thing to do. It made us laugh! His nose would wrinkle and he would giggle when Addi pulled a little bit faster. I think he liked it.

Once home Daddy worked on drilling a hole, a straight hole, in the bottom of the trunk in order to manipulate the tree onto the horribly impossible tree stand that several years ago he just had to have and now refuses to admit it is the worst thing ever created! Our tree never sits straight. I usually have to tether the tree to the wall with fishing line. Hey, whatever it takes! Once the star is up and the lights are strung and illuminating our precious ornaments the tree can be crooked and thin, maybe a little lopsided and top heavy! We don't care.

Opening the ornament box is like opening a journal. Each ornament has a story. They all came from someone or somewhere special. Each one tells a little story of our life --- vacation ornaments, baby's first Christmas ornaments and handmade hand print gifts from Addison are among my favorite. Addi was so eager and excited to decorate the tree this year she did most of it herself. When she came across an ornament she knew was extra special to me or Daddy she had us put that one on. Landon was napping, but she saved his two first Christmas ornaments for him to hang.

Hanging my wedding dress ornament, one of her favs.

Addi always picks out a special tree for her room. This year her tree is perfect. Perfectly symmetrical with thick, sturdy branches. Beautifully decorated in pink and sparkles. I have a little tree envy! I asked her to trade me, but she refused.

We are surprised how into the tree and all the lights Landon is this year. He attempted to help Addi decorate her tree. He "helps" plug in the lights and just stares and points at them. He loves, loves, loves our dancing Santa and giggles as Santa (and Addi) shakes his booty.

I love our personalized family ornaments from each year. 

Christmas Card, Take 1

Their Christmas outfits this year are just so perfect I could not wait any longer to dress them up and take some pictures. I already know I am going to do it again! The lights in the background are all wrong! I NEED MY TRIPOD BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Simply Thankful

It doesn't take a special holiday to remember to be thankful for all the blessings in my life. This time of year I find myself hugging my family a little tighter, eating a lot more and stopping to remember that it is the little moments and little memories that make a life full. My only wish is that everyone could have a full belly and someone to love on.

This year Grandma and Grandpa Powell and Uncle Spencer came over to our house for our Thanksgiving meal. This weekend Daddy is on-call for 96 hours in a row and he ended up having to work most of Thanksgiving. In between ER patients, we were able to all sit down and eat our meal together.

Addison loves to help with the cooking. The apple pie and rolls are her specialty. {Notice all the outfit changes!}

Grandma Deaette and I worked our tails off all day in the kitchen. We make a pretty great team. I am very messy while I cook. Deaette was so great to follow behind me all day doing my dishes and cleaning up my messes!

Our Thanksgiving menu is very traditional, a giant turkey and all the trimmings.

Daddy carved the upside turkey (whoops, my bad!!) at the table.

Landon had a pretty bad cold and he slept through much of the day. He perked up a bit at dinner and was especially excited over his roll.  Uncle Spencer, Grandma and Grandpa kept him entertained by reading and boxing and going on a long walk.

Addi in her new Chinese dress sent from Aleta & Kay. 

Addison and Landon squeezed in a few more loves before everyone had to leave.

I'm simply thankful. Thankful for the people in my life, for our health, for our warm home and for our full bellies. I am more than thankful for my hard-working husband and for our amazing Addi and Landon. For every moment we have together - I am thankful.

{I was there! I swear! Just too busy to get in front of the camera!}

Stone Soup

Addison's preschool class made Stone Soup and invited their family members to school for a pre-Thanksgiving meal. Each preschooler contributed something to the Stone Soup. With everyone's contribution there was enough soup to feed the village or in our case the preschool class and their family.

Landon is not impressed when his hands are messy,
whipped cream is no exception! He does however love hanging out with
Addi and her friends at school!

Dare to Dream

As part of Addison's birthday present I got her and I tickets to the Disney Princesses on Ice: Dare to Dream ice show in Spokane. The kids and I spent a couple days in Missoula before heading to Spokane. Landon had his second preemie developmental evaluation in Missoula. He is doing amazing and passed with flying colors! 

Bagels for breakfast and playing at the Children's Museum. 

Morning toast with Papa (and Sid!)

 Knitting lessons with Granny.

Visiting Grandma Bobbi, Aunt Jessica, Jaci and Uncle Jack.

Pics by Auntie Jessica.

 Out to dinner with Em, Dave & Baby Fischer.

The ice show was A-MAZING. We loved it. Princess Tiana, Cinderella and Rapunzel worked very hard to make their dreams come true. With her jaw open wide in awe Addi whispered, "This is their work?" She was amazed that an ice skater could dress up as a princess everyday and dance on the ice and get paid for it! During the finale all the Disney Princesses made an appearance, even Addi's favorite, Ariel! 

A few snapshots from my phone, no 'real' cameras were allowed.

The kids and I drove over to Spokane with Aunt Shelly and Roz. The kids and I stayed with my friend Jackie and Scott and their boys while Shelly and Roz visited their cousin. Jackie took care of Landon while Addi and I were at the show. On Sunday morning the kids played games and ate doughnuts. Jackie, Owen, Addi, Landon and I met up with Shelly and Roz at a huge craft fair before driving home. 

Addi and Landon are great road-trippers! We spent a lot of time in the car over the weekend and this was usually the picture:

Her Shadow

If Addison is doing it I know I will find Landon doing it too, or at least trailing not far behind. Her morning routine is no exception! With more patience than me sometimes she includes him and teaches him in EVERYTHING she does.

I love the hand holding!

Addison's Favorites - 5 Years Old

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings. These are a few of my favorite things..."

As Addison grows her favorite things change! 

I have been doing this post since Addi was very little. 

Links to past posts:    20 months     2 yrs 1 month     3 yrs 3 months     4 yrs

Her favorite .....

Book: Addi loves Dr. Suess books. She loves reading along to the parts she has memorized.
She also loves Fancy Nancy books and books about animals. 

Toy: Stuffed animals have become really important to Addi, whereas a few months ago 
she could have cared less for them. Now she sleeps with many and she is always hauling 
at least one with her where ever she goes. 
Breakfast: PBJ Sandwich
Way to be silly: Dancing silly.
Way to be bossy: She puts her hands on her hips and sticks her head and nose 
up in the air and tries to be rude!

Thing to wear: Pretty party, princess dresses

Word/phrase: "I love you as big as the whole world.", "For pretends."

Color: Purple and pink

Person to call: Ellie

Snack: Apple slices and microwave popcorn

Animal: Whales

Movie: Animal movies, Free Willy, Chimpanzee, Dolphin Tale and princess movies.
Game:  Headbanz

Song:  Party In The U.S.A

Thing to do: Play with her friends
Place to play: At the park

Thing to throw a fit over: Going to bed when over tired.

Way to help mommy: Baking, vacuuming and putting away her own clothes

Helping Mama with dinner, in a princess dress!

Way to help daddy: Help Daddy take care of Landon.

Time of the day: In the morning when she goes to school
Way to exercise: Bridges, baskets and splits! (gymnastics stretches!)
Chore: Feed the dogs and help with the dishes.

Place to go: Swimming pool
New life skill: Brushing and fixing her own hair, painting her own nails

Thing to do like Daddy: Fishing

Thing to do like Mommy: Take pictures. Take care of Landon.

Big person thing to do: Wearing fake earrings and putting on makeup.
Way to be sweet: Give unprompted hugs while saying, "You are the best mama ever."

Accessory: All jewelry and lipstick.

Thing to try and get away with: Not cleaning up after herself and forgetting to use manners.

and her Most Favorite Thing of All: Her baby brother, Landon

Playing with her real-life doll, Landon.

Celebrating At Fairmont

Addi and Ellie were born a year apart, but in the same week. Each year we try to plan a special trip together to celebrate. This year we took the girls to Fairmont Hot Springs.

Grandma Bobbi, Grandpa Mark, Uncle Jake, Uncle Jack, Aunt Jessica and Aunt Jaci met us there for the party and an evening swim. Auntie Shelly, Roz, Ethan and Uncle Roger also joined us after dinner for an evening swim.

Always goofing with Papa.

We sang "Happy Birthday" to our sweet princess girls,
blew out the trick, re-lighting candles as fast as they could before the fire alarms went off!,
 ate cake and opened presents. 

They never let me forget that I am the oldest!
Jessica(15), Jaci (14), Sara (28), Me (30), Jack (16), Jake (21).
Moments like these I know Danny is all on our minds. Forever missed.

Below are pictures of Addi & Ellie on our first birthday celebration rendezvous  in Sheridan, Wyoming. On our trip to Sheridan Addi had just turned two and Ellie just turned one. They have been so close since the minute Ellie was born. When Sara brought Ellie home from the hospital Addi literally squealed with so much love, excitement and emotion for Ellie she shook.

We pulled into Sheridan sometime around 1 am. The girls played, wrestled and jumped on the bed until about 3 am. Addi would stick her finger in Ellie's mouth, Ellie would bite her, Addi would scream and they both would giggle so hard. Addi kept tackling Ellie, but somehow, every time Ellie ended up on top, pinning Addi --- some things never change!

 Whenever we get together the girls get matching jammies and this tradition was started on our first birthday trip. This year was no exception. 

An Addi Jo Birthday Flashback

Every year around Addi's birthday I get a little emotional.  I look through Addi's baby pictures and cry! I know, silly, but she is growing up way to fast and I miss my baby.


Addison's First Birthday

Addison's Second Birthday

Addison's Third Birthday

Addison's Fourth Birthday 

Addison is FIVE!

{She wears the same birthday girl button every year!}