Getting ready for Christmas!!

We start decorating for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving!! The Christmas tree went up and the lights were checked for outside installation! Oscar was a big help with the light-check this year!

I don't think he minded one bit all those LED lights laying on him - they kept him warm!

On Saturday, we decided to make the trek down to Tacoma's Bass Pro Shop and see Santa! I absolutely love this picture! Next year we're getting our holiday pictures here (still a chance on Pottery Barn's sofa, I haven't decided yet).

Bass Pro has a really cute set-up - a whole children's activity area in "Santa's Workshop" - riflery games, monster truck remote-cars, Santa letter writing and a craft of the day! That day's craft was a cute ceramic penguin ornament to color - Brock and I snagged two and completed the craft from the comfort of home!

Brock and Kade both tried to be just like Daddy! I think Brent's eyes in the picture above say it all - he's got his work cut out for him. ;)

What's a visit to Bass Pro without stopping to see the fish?!?

Nice "family picture" with Santa. Sad faces from both boys, hoping the next time we see Santa it will go better!

On Tuesday, we met the Klein family at Chick-fil-A for a quick dinner before heading to the Garden d'Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. I really do love this exhibit every year! It's sized perfectly for our aged children and really done so well!

Fun fact for this year: The time to create a plant is at least 2 hours, with complicated plants taking up to 40 hours each. The average life span of a "plant" is five years, with a few lasting up to 10 years!

Kade at bottom right, enjoying "The Aquarium" feature

Brock has also discovered my gloves and LOVES wearing them! 

 We picked a great night to go - no rain and not too cold! Kade was loving being free - him and Ara just wanted to run/walk the entire path!!

The adorable Klein family.... with Ara done with picture time and ready to see the next critter! Some really intricate ones this year we spotted: blue heron, parrot, turtle, dragon and and an owl!

I'm sure the kids' favorite part was the end when we just let them run all around in a circle chasing each other! Yes, get your sillies out now! It was great - both of ours were in bed asleep by 7:45 that night!! (Brock usually goes to bed 8:30 - 9pm)

And last, but not least, we have to show off the newest addition to our house - Kevin, the Christmas Minion. Brock is thrilled about him!