chris.reese.girls1.2.3.4

We had a lot going on leading up to Christmas, but it was fun and exciting (especially as I look back from the other, less exciting side of Christmas). Lots of pics, but feel free to skim. We enjoyed the Clam Lights at Coulon Park and watching the Argosy Ship Performance from the docks. Paige is like any 4-yr old and absolutely adores Christmas lights! Brynn was wide-eyed the whole time. We made quite a few Christmas treats (Andes Mint Fudge, PB Balls, and sugar cookies) and delivered to our friends and neighbors. Paige really loved the variety of sprinkles. Chris surprised Paige and I with a trip to the Evergreen City Ballet performance of the Nutcracker. It was a really enjoyable outing. The most hilarious moment of the performance was when the male prince at the very end comes on stage in white tights and a vest and Paige says, " Mom...I don't think that guy is wearing pants." Even as I write it, I'm laughing. It was sooo funny! Here we are ready to leave...

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We enjoyed a night on the Puget Sound for Chris' work Christmas party. I was worried about being severely cold, but the boat is basically a high-end floating condo, so it wasn't bad (until we stepped outside to watch the Argosy Cruise Ship's performance). Memorable conversation of the evening: Anonymous man: "So where do you guys live?" Chris: "We live in Renton." Anonymous man: "Oh, really?! I'm sooo sorry." [long pause...I stare at Chris...we say nothing] Anonymous man: "My wife and I decided never to have kids so we could always afford a place in the city." Yeah...nice, huh? In defense of our little Renton: it is definitely not the NICEST place in the Seattle metro area, but it has worked for our family and I can think of at least ten different places still below Renton on my list of places to live.

Paige could hardly stand the 24 hours of waiting after buying the gingerbread house kit to make it with her dad. About every 4.5 seconds on Saturday she would ask if it was time yet. It turned out really cute. And, apparently, when dad is in charge, no frosting is worth throwing away...and you get this: Please allow me a moment of journaling (no pressure to read on). Paige LOVED this day. She got to spend every moment with her dad. When Chris woke up to play bball early on Saturday I could hear Paige in her room crying. Chris comes in and says he's taking her along...nice...I get to sleep in a bit. She had a blast and LOVED showing off dad's battle scar on his lip when they returned. She and Chris proceeded to make breakfast and then they were off again to help someone in the ward and she LOVED that just as much. The late afternoon included a few errands, gingerbread houses, and watching Home Alone , w hich is her new favorite movie. It's easy to see why she was s...

Little Miss Brynn is turning into a bit of a monster at the moment...but in an attempt to get some pics by the tree, she hammed it up...isn't she just adorable?!

Please no one call CPS as this could be considered a mild form of torture. Brynn thought I was leaving her with the big guy and Paige wouldn't even look at him. Obviously, getting a pic of the two together would have escalated the "torture" level. Maybe next year... This is the Santa that visits one of our local parks...and has NO line. Good thing because the end result wouldn't have been worth a long wait! This was last year...what happened??

We go out Griswold style to get our tree...except we go to a farm that includes a fun train ride and we use a saw. Okay, so maybe it's not too Griswold, but I like to say it is anyways. "She'll see it later, Clark...her eyes are frozen." and "Clark! I don't want to spend the holidays dead!" I could go on...gosh, I love that show! We especially enjoyed sharing the trip with the Pettingills. Paige loves the company of her cousins. Paige was nervous about riding in the caboose on the train ride out with Carson and Addy, but decided it would be okay for the train ride back. Paige really enjoyed the decorating process (which took extra long this year...my lights were very needy ..."Clark, those little lights aren't twinkling.") And Brynn LOVES the ornaments, which when I get around to posting a pic of our tree in all its glory you will understand why no ornaments are placed within her reach. We loved our fun outing and the finished product...th...

We enjoyed Thanksgiving in Yakima this year with Chris' immediate and extended families. We stayed with Great-Grandpa Hendricks and enjoyed his sweet, peaceful home. The rest of the Apken gang was next door at Chris' parents house and it was fun to be all together. Paige runs the gamut of being the "baby" to the older Hendricks cousins and the "boss" with her (one) younger Apken cousin, Grant. Brynn just relished the extra hugs and attention. There is a special bond with the Hendricks family...a closeness not often found with extended family and we loved having our group of 30+ for a giant turkey dinner. Thanks to everyone for hosting us and helping us enjoy a fun few days together. The Apken Crew Brynn loves mashed potatoes...especially in her hair Brynn with Aunt Dani Paige and Grant at the Hendricks Family Turkey Bowl (And those were the only shoes I brought for Paige...they were soaked, but cut me a little bit of slack...I was still on the up and up from...

The Swine wasn't on my list of "To Do"s before Thanksgiving, but consider it completed. Five days . This thing had me in bed for five days. Thanks to Chris and some very kind friends who so willingly took care of my kiddos. Today is day six and while I'm still not back to normal, I'm getting there and I'll take it. Last night for FHE we were talking about Thanksgiving. We asked Paige what Thanksgiving means and she said, "that it's almost Christmas?!" While that is true, we hope to not overlook this important stand-alone holiday...we have much to be grateful for this year. So now we are off to the east side for a Apken/Hendricks gathering!! Happy Travels and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Miss Paige finished up swim lessons for the year. She had a good run, advanced to the next class and will take a break until the spring. She made great progress and we are proud of her!! Check out the two videos: (Please ignore my high pitched squealing...sometimes I get carried away)

I'm catching up...and didn't want to miss out on documenting my weekend away! The wives of the "Golf Your Guts Out" men have always talked about having our own retreat. Needless to say, it's mostly been talk...until this year! Thanks to Chris' wonderful Aunt Kristin who made arrangements for us to stay in Roslyn for a weekend without kids, husbands, and responsibilities. We enjoyed a day at the spa (I had a glorious facial), a day of shopping in Leavenworth (our paths crossed with Grandpa and he took us all to lunch!), lots of chit-chat, movies and dining out at some wonderful favs: the Ellensburg Pasta Company, Village Pizza, and the Cle Elem Bakery. Let's hope we can do it again!! The whole crew (post-spa) at the Ellensburg Pasta Company: Aunt Julie, me, Kaelin, Dani, Janet, Aunt Jana, Aunt Kristin Sister-in-laws: Dani, me, Kaelin Aunt Julie, Aunt Jana and Dani in Leavenworth Thanks to the hubster for staying home with the munchkins (Brynn was even sick)...

We had a wonderful Halloween. You may notice a complete recycle of previous year's costumes, but it made one less thing for me to worry about! I know I won't get away with it next year... We enjoyed the ward Trunk or Treat. Look at that parking lot covered in leaves...it's fall! It was a fairly warm (and dry...yeah!) night and we enjoyed hot chocolate and fun friends to visit and chat with. Thanks, Jex's for sharing trunks with us!! Okay, she's the cutest lion ever... am I right?! I won't even detail the lengths Paige and I went to decide on a costume. I gave her until the 15th to "lock in" her decision. She changed her mind on the 16th and every day thereafter, but too bad...we were locked! We invited ourselves to my sister's house so her kids could teach Paige about trick-or-treating. Thanks, Shell, for hosting us!! We were even more thrilled when my brother's family decided to come too!! What a wonderful group of cousins (only missi...

This is what we gave Paige for her birthday. She loves it! She totally biffed her first time out on the bike and I got it on video...Its on the video camera, so it may take me a while to get it on the blog, but I'll work on it. It's kinda funny... She received her birthday crown and was serenaded at school on the day of their costume/trick-or-treating party day. She thought it was pretty cool...Don't you just love her teacher with her finger in her ear...Ms Colleen probably wouldn't like this pic... And below is Paige with her gifts from Grandma Dalley (office supplies and a mailbox). She's holding the stapler in her hands as if it were gold. Her favorite was the stapler. I would suggest when Accountants consider having children, they should be prepared for this type of outcome. (Okay, I think that's the last of the birthday posts...phew!)