weekend recap - traditions edition

Another weekend gone and we are that much closer to Christmas! Ahh! This weekend we did some of our yearly traditions and we had so much fun.

Friday morning I took little man to school and stayed to talk about one of our traditions.  We talked about chopping down our Christmas tree and I was so proud of my little guy for telling his class all about this tradition of ours.  Seriously, a year ago, heck maybe even 6 months ago, he would have NEVER talked in front of his class like he did.  So so proud of him.

I love when I visit his school because I can tell he is so happy I am there.  He must have given me 20 hugs and 50 kisses while I was there.  I love my sweet sweet boy!

Friday night we did my family's cookie day tradition with my Mom, sister, aunt and cousins - we've been doing this since I was pregnant with Brayden but we skipped last year because things were just crazy. My sisters in laws come too and they are a great addition :)

We all wore "ugly" sweaters, even Avery joined in the fun :) You'll notice, this was the last time she was happy - before the party started.

Saturday was a pretty lazy day around here, Brayden didn't even get out of his pj's and we didn't leave the house once.

such a good big brother!!

Baby girl is getting SO big!

Saturday night the hubs went out with his friends for their annual "man dinner" - don't ask.  So it was me and the kids just hanging out watching Christmas movies and eating junk.  When they went to bed I finally got some energy to do some gift wrapping.


Sunday's weather was pretty decent for us so I took the kids outside to play while the hubs worked on putting shelving up in our garage.  I made these kids have so many races so they could really burn off some energy.  We've been cooped up too long and winter hasn't even officially began!

After playing we had a hot chocolate and cookie date :) These little people make me so dang happy

Sunday night we headed out for our tradition of driving around to look at Christmas lights in our pjs. I made the kids more hot chocolate (don't judge) and we had mini donuts to eat while driving around.

,

We saw a couple of really good houses that synced up to a radio station. The kids had fun and this tired them out.

          

            

Then it was home for some more Christmas movie watching and then finally bed! I'm so happy we got in some good traditions over this weekend since there isn't much time left until Christmas!

Weekend Re-cap

This weekend rec-cap is going to start with Thursday since that's the day we saw Santa and I of course need to document that!

We headed to the mall first thing on Thursday morning to get in line for Santa.  There were only a few people ahead of us thankfully.  Our mall really goes all out for Santa.  Before you even go to see him, there is a little winter wonderland area you walk through and then an actual snow globe that has snow falling (although that part was annoying because I had spend too much time blowing that crap out of their hair)

Before we got to see Mr Claus, the nice lady who worked there snapped this family pic of us using our phone, I LOVE how it turned out.  When I look at this picture (which I have like 50 times) it just makes me so darn happy.

And then it was time.  I didn't know what to expect.  Brayden didn't cry last year but he covered his eyes and didn't say 1 word to Santa, but before we came, he kept saying he was going to sit on his lap and tell him he wanted a Trex takedown and a big play castle. Oh, and that Ella slapped him the other day and she shouldn't get any presents, bahahaha, kids, gotta love em!

To my surprise, he did not cry, he walked right up and smiled, although still a little shy, Ella had a few tears but the girls who worked there got her to stop, and Avery was just chillin'.  

Isn't it the best?! I have to say, I am a little sad no one is crying, I actually like those pictures :) But this one makes my heart happy too.

After the pictures, Santa spent a little time with them and Brayden mustered enough strength to whisper in his ear what he wanted, and then the unimaginable happened, Brayden & Ella gave him a hug. I almost fell over.

I always wasn't sure I would want to go to the mall Santa because it really is a big to do, but I must say, I loved it and it was so magical for the kids, which is the most important.  And that Santa was just awesome.  He even asked me to take a pic using my phone of just him and Avery (and of course as I handed her over I accidentally scratched her to make her cry)

Then we headed to lunch where Brayden held Avery's hand - I almost cannot stand the cuteness

Friday we didn't do much besides a lot of running around - at night my in laws watched the kids so I could do some Christmas shopping solo and then we went home and the kids watched a Christmas movie.

Saturday I took some selfies with Avery then headed to a craft fair with my aunts and cousin.

Saturday night my aunt and cousins were nice enough to babysit all 3 kiddos and we got a night out for my brother in laws 30th. It was super fun to be kid free but hanging with my nephew made me a little sad our kids weren't there (but not too sad because it was soooo nice to sit and talk and not chase them around)

Sunday morning was snuggle time with Daddy & Avery in our bed - love our little bald cue ball!

Later in the day we headed to a local small zoo for their lights and to see the animals.  The kids had a blast.

Then it was home for pizza and the hubs worked with the kids on their home depot projects.  I think Ella takes after her Daddy, she was SO happy with that hammer in her hands.

All finished!

Then we watched Frosty, had some ice cream, and I passed out by 8:30 - it was great.

2nd Annual Christmas Tree Chop Down

This was our 2nd year going to a tree farm and chopping down our own tree.  This is a tradition I couldn't wait to start with our kids.  I did have to do some serious convincing to the hubs but he got on board last year and now he knows this is just what we do :)

We had to find a new farm since our tree farm from last year was no more.  You can read more about that here

The place we found this year was about a half an hour away and seemed nice enough.

Max was so excited to be coming with us!

Of course we picked the coldest day of the long weekend to go but I like to get the tree the Friday after Thanksgiving so we can give it a day to rest then decorate before the weekend is over :)  The kids were FREEZING!

The hubs and I were giggling so much because Brayden was whining how cold it was and Ella was just crying for whatever reason.  He told me "these are those Christmas memories you wanted, right!?" Whining & crying or not, I LOVE our tradition even if it was torture this year for the kids, ha

There she is, our PERFECT tree!

I wish I took some pics of the hubby having to haul that bad boy back to the front of the farm by himself, while I pushed a double stroller, had the dog and kept having to convince Brayden to keep walking because he was so cold his legs were going to fall off... ohhhh the memories!

This farm had a huge garage that was kept open where you went to pay for your tree and could get hot chocolate and cookies - it wasn't the same as last year but it was still fun.  I'm thinking I might be on the hunt for a new farm for next year though, somewhere that has a cute little place to sit inside and drink hot chocolate instead of standing around trying to wrangle the dog and kids :)

We managed to get a pic of all us before we left and although Ella is crying, I love it :) Little Avery slept the entire time but you can see her carseat carrier to prove she was there.

The hubs tying the tree to the roof  - what a good sport!

Avery is 4 Months!

A little late, but that's OK :)

My sweet Avery, you are 4 months old! And while I usually say how fast the time is flying, for some reason this month it doesn't feel like that.  It just feels *right* that you are 4 months.  Maybe it's because I have really been soaking up the moments with you.

As you can see from the above picture, this was the month you lost mostly all of your hair, *tear*! I am so sad you are bald but your cradle cap was INSANE.  It only got worse and worse and I tried everything! The only option was to take it all off and with it went all your hair.


You are still my happy girl! (most of the time) As long as you are fed and not sleepy, you are all smiles all of the time.

This month (11/16) we moved you into your room in your crib.  Another *tear* for Mommy! I was very apprehensive about transitioning you but it was time. I was so worried you wouldn't sleep well either since we moved you from the swaddle to the sleep sack, but baby girl, you surprised me and did just perfect!

Speaking about sleep - you are still sleeping through the night (THANK YOU!!!) You go to bed around 8 and sleep until 6:30, sometimes later, sometimes earlier, but I will take it!

You have become quite the drooler! Your shirt is soaked 5 minutes after being awake so you go through many wardrobe changes!

You are eating 6-7 times a day with all of those being breastfed except for 1 feeding, which is usually your first feed of the day, in which you get a bottle of breastmilk since I am up much earlier than you are so I need to pump :)  I love our nursing relationship so much and while I don't have a goal in mind, I am hoping to go the full year with nursing you.

You still love laying on your back playing with your toys, especially the lion, he is your best friend :) You also like looking at your toys or books on your tummy

\

This month I took you and your brother and sister to the zoo all by myself, I repeat, ALL BY MYSELF! You don't know this now but that is huge :)

You are wearing 3 month clothes but I think you will be growing out of those soon and you are now in 6 month pj's


You love to "talk" all day long! Now you just lay in your crib before you go to bed or when you wake up and just talk to yourself! All while eating your hands :)

This month was such a joy baby girl! I look forward to watching you (and your hair!) grow! Mama loves you to infinity!

Garlic Mushroom & Spinach quinoa

You guys, I LOVE quinoa, like I would marry it if I could.  Ok, that is a bit extreme but I do love love love it! It's a great replacement for rice and just all around very healthy for you.  I made this dish the other night for dinner and while it's not very filling, it was so good.

Garlic Mushroom & Spinach Quinoa

Ingredients:

2 cups water

1 cup quinoa

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1 cup fresh spinach

6 cloves of garlic

pepper

basil

Start by cooking your quinoa - mix 2 cups of water with 1 cup of quinoa in a saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover, for about 14 minutes, stirring frequently.

In a separate saucepan, heat the olive oil and add the mushrooms, spinach and garlic. Saute for about 5-7 minutes then add a dash of pepper and basil and mix in your cooked quinoa.

I added Parmesan cheese to mine and it was so delish!  Hope you enjoy this as much as me!

Friday Faves

So so happy it's Friday! This has been a really long week and I am looking forward to some down time.

{ONE}

Am I the last person on Earth to get the new Taylor Swift CD? Probably.  I just ordered it and cannot wait to get it this weekend (Thank you Amazon Prime!)

{TWO}

I really really want to head down to the city this Saturday for the lighting of the Magnificent Mile and parade, however, I'm just not sure it will work out with a 3 month old. It's still under debate. 

{THREE}

With Thanksgiving being next week (and also one of my FAVORITE holidays), I've been searching for a dessert to bring to my Aunts.  I'm liking this Apple Cinnamon White Cake but am still undecided

{FOUR}

And once Thanksgiving is over, I will be in Christmas mode full swing! I don't know why, but I just can't jump on the decorating for Christmas early bandwagon.  I need to celebrate each holiday, one at a time.

{FIVE}

We had our first snowfall of the season earlier this week (barely an inch) and as soon as the kids woke up and saw they were begging to go outside!! So after breakfast, we put Avery down for a nap and headed out for a little. They were loving it and did not want to come in!

Happy Weekend!

Linking up with:

The Good Life

September Farm