Ornaments

Every year  we each get a new ornament that says something about the past year. I had so many ideas for the kids but they for the first time made a request for what they wanted.  I had hoped to get Mister C a book or reading ornament as this year he took off with his reading. However his request....

Anything Phineas and Ferb because it is his new favorite show and his Birthday party theme this year. 

               From Grandma and Grandpa this year a soccer ornament for adventures this fall in soccer.

Miss C asked for this pair of ballet slippers to remind her of her dance class this summer. 

                    Of course Grandma and Grandpa could not resist getting her a Barbie ornament.

Our house has become sports fans! Shocker  I know but we all love watching the Timbers Games together. We have even been lucky enough to attend some gamers this year however never all at the same time :)

When I saw this ornament I had to get for Brian.

Couldn't resist this cute guy for the whole family!

Brian got this book writers ornament to remind him of the many many many hours spend writing his book this past year. That is a subject for another post :)

 I still get teary eyed when I look at this picture. I was given this ornament, on the bottom is written in Loving memory of Colin Palmer and the year of his Birth and Death. To mark the 10 anniversary of my dad passing away Karen found me this ornament. I will treasure the thought as well as the memory for ever!

 I thought I would include a picture of our Nutcrackers. Last year Colin asked Santa for a nutcracker and has decided to ask for one every year. Sister wanted in on the request too. So this year Santa got each of them a new nutcracker. Mister C got a Pirate because of his new favorite Wii game lego Pirates. Miss C got  a dancing princess nutcracker, no need to ask why :)

Hope you have treasured memories for this Christmas that will carry on through out the years!

Christmas Day

As Mister C once told me every boy needs a dog mom....Sorry bubby but this is as close to the real thing we will ever have.

 I love this picture not for the quality of photo that is for sure but for the moment! They are giving their gifts they picked out for each other. Taking the time to read the notes and remembering to say thank you. Loved sitting back and watching this special interaction between them. While once again saying a silent prayer that they will stay friends for a lifetime!

 A new tradition at the Germer's this year... make your own pizza! The kids loved helping but really loved watching their uncles toss the dough in the air. Also saying over and over again "Welcome to my Pizzeria"

A wonderful day full of laughter and family!

Pioneer Square photos

Every year pictures at the same spot in Pioneer square. This year included a few surprises! What would Portland be this year with out a protest and a great big dog to join in the fun. Oh what a fun Portlandia episode we could have made. Not the best picture but I wanted to show you just how big this dog was compared to Little Miss C.

 Grandma and Grandpa

 Uncle Byron and Aunt Heather

 Uncle Matt and Aunt Kathy

* Not Pictured Uncle Tim and Aunt Rae, they were not here yet but we soon all caught up together for some shopping and lunch at Rock Bottom.

Visit with santa

A visit with Santa and a wish or two in the fountain a Christmas Eve tradition!

Cookies for Santa

 My silly kids said I could take pictures but not of their faces :) I may of had the camera out a little to much the last few days.  Frosting the cookies needed extra help so no hands to take picture but trust they had lots and lots of sprinkles. 

Pine Cones and a long afternoon

While at the dollar store a few weeks ago I found pine cones 12 for $1. I bought two bags with a project in mind. Well I tried out my project and after attempting it with the first pine cone, I knew this was not going to work. So I put the pine cones away and decided to come back to them another time. Well little miss C became very restless one afternoon and needed a project. After digging around for something I decide on a new plan for the pine cones. Some glue, glitter, crushed rock salt, and one crafty little girl we made a new Christmas decoration! You can not tell much in the picture but they really so sparkle in the light. 

* next time I will make sure she is looking at me when I take only one picture of her doing the craft :)

Favorite new Decorations....

Well with the on break and my dear hubby writing his book in the evening it left very little computer time for me. So I will try to catch you up with the adventures we have had over break. First and for most I love decorating for Christmas! It seems odd to post this now with the decoration already packed away and my list started for next years ideas but I wanted to show a few of the new decorations we added this year.

 Advent numbers by living locurto

 All that is missing and has been for a few years is Brian and I's picture :) I love the sparkle of the silver bells and looking at the pictures of the kids with Santa  each year.

 This hangs in our hallway using two walls with a picture from each Christmas from when we first got married to now! I got this fun banner from How Does She

Last was these pine cones Miss C and I "decorated" to look like they had snow on them. Wish you could see the light sage tint to the bowl.

Mr C and Santa

At Mr C's school they host a Santa Breakfast for the Kinder and 1st graders. It happened to be the same day as Miss C's Angel breakfast at her school. After dropping Miss C off Mr C and I enjoyed some time together. He had so much fun visiting Santa (AKA Mr. S from School one of the other 1st grade teachers). I think he was more excited to see his friends and teacher on a non school day then anything else.

While we are talking about school I thought I would show you what we made for the teachers this Christmas. I painted mugs from the dollar store with Chalkboard paint and included Christmas Blend teas, Hot Chocolate Via,candy cane and a piece of chalk in each cup. The paint will stay on as long as you hand wash only.

Miss C's School Program

Miss C was so excited to get all dressed up for her school Christmas program. She sang 4 songs and her favorite part was being able to stand by her buddy Miss L. 

 I just love these kids!

Letters to Santa

I love each year watching how there wants change and how each letter says more and more about who they are. I will be sad when they day comes when they no longer write letters to santa.

 Dear Santa,
   For Christmas I want a hula hoop, a nutcracker, a Starbucks card(so she can buy cake pops when ever she wants!) and a polly pocket please.
            Love
                 Miss C
I was nice. 2011 4 yrs

Dear Santa,
    For Christmas I want a DS and a nutcracker, Rayman origins the video game, and zelda game for DS,  and I want no monsters to tease me ha ha. I was not perfect but I was nice. and I want ghostbusters the movie number 1. I love you Santa!
*he made some fun game santa to do incase he gets bored.

Tree lighting

This year we meet Grandma and Grandpa at Bridgeport for the tree lighting ceremony. Even though it was very cold we had so much fun! Mr. C really got into dancing to the live music and kept all of us around him entertained. The kids got to see Santa and even some snow. I was a fun evening and we will defiantly do it again next year.

 Love the "smile" Miss C gave she had just woken up from a nap in the car and was not thrilled to have her picture taken.

The view from the top of the parking garage where we parked.