Christmas cards

Growing up I always loved getting the photo Christmas cards.  They always seemed more practical to me.  So, when I turned 18 and moved out on my own... I started my own tradition of sending out a yearly photo Christmas card.  Jason and I started dating in 2000.  Here are all the Christmas cards from years past from Jason and I.

2000

the year I met my honey.  We decided to move in together right before the holidays.  Photo: watching fireworks at the Longview park with Jason's sister, Sue and her family.

 2001

 2002

photo: Jason was a groomsman in his friend, Joel and Tara's wedding

 2003

photo: engagement picture taken at the Finch Arboretum

 2004

photo: our honeymoon cruise in the Caribbean

2005

photo: at my parents house

 2006

photo: playing in the snow at Mount Spokane

 2007

photo: Long beach, on the Pacific Ocean

 2008

the best year of our lives... Connor was born!

 2009

 2010

 2011

Driving Lessons

 Connor driving his truck with his cool shades

 Some times it comes in handy being short and petite.  Like when Connor asks if he can cruise the streets with his mom.  His new truck is geared to hold exactly both of our weight combined.  But I don't think it was ever intended to hold an adult... it's a tight fit with no leg room!

 

 Jason giving Connor his first drivers ed lesson.  He used duct tape to make an arrow on the steering wheel.  Wherever the arrow points, the car drives.

 After driving around for quiet a while, Connor was beat... too tired to drive back to the garage.  He opted to ride in the back while mom drove instead.  Although I am short, my legs are not quiet short enough to fit under the steering wheel.  I had to dangle my left leg out of the truck and use my right hand to push on the gas peddle.

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at Nana and Papa's house with my brother and his family.

Connor giving his cousin Ryan a hug

 snuggle time with my boy on the couch watching a movie. Nana always has cartoons or movies playing.  Connor loves it.

 Papa and Connor sharing the best seat in the house for the movie

 Alivia and Madison playing cards

 Jason wrestling with the boys

 Connor and Ryan had fun playing with the kitty cat balls that we made.  Of course they both wanted the blue kitty though.

 "I got your nose"  Jason taught Connor a new trick

 Jason trying to teach Ryan how to give knuckles

 Ryan being a bridge and driving one of Connor's trucks through his legs

 Connor's favorite kitty- Spaz.  Poor Spaz is getting old and not feeling very good.

 the beautiful teenie boppers- Alivia and Madison

 Connor and Ryan playing Hungry Hippo

 Connor sharing his toys with Ryan

 Connor holding Ryan on his lap

Two of John's high school friends came over to visit, Matt and Pat.  This is also the only picture I managed to get of John and Laura.

Pre-Thanksgiving

Let the holiday baking begin!  Every holiday I make at least one new recipe to try.  This year I made stuffed jalapenos, which were a huge hit.

 home made power bars, which I forgot to bring with us to Thanksgiving.  But they were amazing!  I'm not a big power bar fan, but I'm hooked on these!  High energy, high protein, low fat and incredibly yummy.  Perfect snack to take to school.

 For a side dish I made spinach salad, which had a tangy dressing.  Also delicious!

 Connor decided Papa needed 4 cats.  So, we spent a family night making cats out of Connor's balls (from his old ball pit) and pipe filter.

 Here's our kitties... Connor's is the blue, mine is the green and Jason's is the yellow.  Lauren had a red ball, but didn't finish decorating hers.

 

I joined Connor at preschool for a Thanksgiving lunch at school.  I got there a little bit early and got a chance to sit in on their circle time.  They were singing Connor's favorite song "Slippery Fish."

Early Christmas!

If you know us, then you won't be surprised that we let Connor have a Christmas gift early.  Only this year we're not a week or even two weeks early... in fact we haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet.  And we didn't just let him open a small gift.  Jason and I were too excited to wait.  I guess we're either the best parents ever or the worst... it depends on who your asking.  But I'm sure Connor won't mind getting an extra month to play with his gift.  It's a good thing Santa doesn't visit until Christmas morning or he might not have any gifts still under the tree by Christmas.  Christmas shouldn't be about the gifts anyway, we need to put the focus back on Jesus.  Here's Connor opening his first Christmas gift of the season...

 Connor's own truck!  It has 2 speeds forward and reverse.  Plus a working radio, stud tires and a truck bed.

 Jason put a cinder block in the truck bed for extra weight for more traction in the snow.

Merry Christmas Connor!  We love you!!