A lot to get caught up on...

So a couple in our ward threw an ugly sweater party! It was our first one we had ever gone to and it was a lot of fun. There was a lot of fun games and delicious foods.  We didn't have an ugly sweater lying around, so we went to the DI in Federal Way and found some...for a dollar, can't beat that! I particularly like Don's.  Everyone at the party commented on it, saying it looked like a vest for a heifer because of all the nifty pockets! :)

 The white elephant gift we won! Jackson seems to already like it.

 Don threw a party for the Sunday School class he teaches, I forgot to take pictures throughout the night, but at least I got a picture of all the foods I made. I was pretty proud of myself. It was my first time making a cheese ball, Don loved it!

 On Christmas Eve, we decorated Christmas cookies(This was my first time making sugar cookies. They turned out perfect!) while we watched a Christmas movie and opened one present.  It was  lot of fun! Don got 12 of his favorite chap sticks, and Don made me a frame for my broken laptop.  The screen to my laptop is broken off, so it doesn't stand up.  Don was so creative and made a frame to hang it by in front of my elliptical so that I can watch movies while I work out...he's so creative, I love it! It's going to be like having a flat screen TV in our room...sort of! :) I will take a completed picture once we get it put together!

Don also got me these beautiful flowers a few days before Christmas. They smell sooo good, and daisies are my favorite... I love that boy! :)

 Yum, yum....completed sugar cookies! I will be posting our Christmas pictures soon, I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Jackson's first REAL hair cut...

I have cut off a little bit of Jackson's hair before, but we decided to give him a major haircut. We used Don's clippers, and at first I was so sad because it cut his hair so short! All of a sudden he didn't look like a little baby...he looked like a little boy.... aw... not fair! :) Anyways, let me know if you approve of the new look! ;)
BEFORE:

 That's a lot of hair for a little guy! :)

AFTER:

  What a stud...

Washington's idea of children...

Since we have been in Washington, we have found it very strange that so many people see their pets as children.  We have noticed however, that the parents are very good at spending time with their kids! :)
They teach their kids how to drive...

And, so do we!! :)

They take their children shopping...

 And, so do we!! 

And...they take their children for walks...

And, so do we.... kind of.... :)

Christmas festivities

So Sunday our Christmas activity was to make gingerbread houses! It was so much fun, I love making gingerbread houses, I can't wait till Jackson's actually old enough to help.  He seemed to enjoy himself though, even though he couldn't eat any of the goodies! :)

 Pulling a funny face for the camera...he makes me laugh!

 Wishing so bad you could eat some of the candy :)

 Watching dad decorate the gingerbread house

 Back of the gingerbread house

 Front of the gingerbread house....pretty legit if you ask me! :)

 So for family home evening this week we drove around to look at Christmas lights.  The pictures don't do the houses justice, but the following houses were some of our favorites.

 Look how huge that Santa and bear are!

I'm leaving on a jet plane.... for the 1st time!

Well Jackson and I went on our very first plane ride this last weekend.  I know, can you believe I have NEVER ridden on a plane??? It was fun, and it was probably a completely different experience than one I would have had without a child :) Jackson did pretty well, he was a little cranky and the beginning of both rides, but he eventually fell asleep. I had a window seat, it was so fun looking out and seeing everything from above! Everything is like patchwork, it's amazing. It was fun seeing my family, but most of all I'm grateful I got to be there for my sister's beautiful wedding!

 
 

This last Saturday was our ward Christmas party. It was pretty fun, they had a lot of delicious food, and sang Christmas songs....and Santa came to see Jackson! :) They had somebody there to take pictures, and I think they are just darling!

Christmas time is here....

Well now that we have a family of our own I really wanted to start making fun Christmas traditions that our kids will remember, what better way than a Christmas countdown?  I think this is such a fun idea. You can find the countdown at ggdigitaldesigns.com. You use magnetic paper and put it on a 24 mini muffin tin, and each day you have the kids see what activity is behind that certain day.  Yesterday we made Christmas cards and sent them out! Jackson had a lot of fun with it! The day before we started reading the Christmas Carol while drinking hot chocolate, it's so fun!

 Jackson thought this was so fun, he couldn't stop smiling! He couldn't figure out why he had paint all over his hands, but he thought it felt fun :)  We only made the Santas for grandparents and great-grandparents, so not everyone will get one...I wish I was that motivated! Maybe one day...

 I kept one for myself, I thought it was a fun idea! Doesn't he have the cutest little hand prints?? :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!