catching up.

The fall season was hard this year. I thought a lot about where we were last year and how far we've come and the road ahead for Parks. I gave myself some grace and cut a lot out of our busy lives while we hunkered down and spent A LOT of time quietly as a family. I had intentions of catching up in a more timely manner, but it was nice to take a break and then I washed my phone accidentally and lost all of my photos that weren't on my big camera (BOO!). So I settled for all the big moments and downloaded them today and got caught up. Phew!

snowtime.

December

After Christmas we headed over to Plain to play in the snow. We have had such an awful season since, we had no idea this would be the only snow we've been able to chase! We had a grand old time, spending a day with friends who made the trek over (and flew from Cali to get there!), building snowmen on the other days, and roasting hot dogs over the fire while the parents and grandparents had fireside fondue. Perfection.

 Anne and Chris braved the pass to join us for 24 hours! And we all headed into town to catch the game.

 But it wouldn't be a Seahawks Day if we didn't shun Anne for being a Denver fan. Good friends make up before the game though, so we let her join us for watching. While she had her headphones in and streamed the Broncos game. ;)

Merry merry merry!

December

We had a simple, sleepy, blessed Christmas. The kind where the kids are old enough to savor and appreciate every moment and gift. To open slowly so it lasts all day. A Christmas where where we drank mimosas and coffee and chatted and stopped to eat breakfast and snacks. The kind of perfect day that I truly didn't want to end.

 We set up Jeremy's phone on Christmas Eve to see if we could catch Santa and sure enough, we did! The kids are watching Santa stack presents in front of our tree, snack on the cookies they left him and then finally he discovered our camera and covered it up!

 It wouldn't be Christmas without watching the cats unwrap their present for a painfully long time. Cats don't always follow directions. Or tear off paper quickly.

And one of our favorite gifts. Every year we give the kids a gift made by Jeremy and I with love. From their bunkbed to blankets to pillow cases covered with love. This year we put all of our pictures from Hawaii into a photo album they can look at over and over. It was a big hit on Christmas morning.

Tree cutting

December

We went a tree-huntin' and per usual we picked out the most perfect tree. Every year we claim the newest tree to be the most grand, the most beautiful, the best ever. Perhaps it is. :)

Happy Hawksgiving!

November

It's an extra special and fun Thanksgiving when the Hawks play ON the holiday. We ate turkey and ham and scrumptious sides and mashed potatoes. Then cue the game, the excited yelling and full family high-fives and cousins running around in helmets reenacting the plays. So fun!

Beachy fallness.

November

Back in November we went down for an incredibly gorgeous weekend on the water with our dearest friends. Beachcombing, beach walks, beach hunting - all in the sunshine. It's a perfect weekend when you get to spend the entire thing outdoors in the sunshine...in the throws of winter/fall.

 Best BFFs4EVAH. Seriously.

 Man, I love Avery. And she's Everly's twin.