Christmas in Montana

Since my parents LOVE to spoil their grandkids we celebrated Christmas while we were in Montana. Stella got her first princess doll and loved it.

She also is quite the doctor. I know her hair is out of control, but she wanted it like that.

How cute is that hat!?! I didn't get as many pictures as I thought, but it was super fun to watch the 3 cousins

We attempted to a get a picture of the grandkids with Gaga and Papa, but it was quite a chore. We had about 3 cameras were flashing so I think we got at least one.

And what is Christmas in November without Santa. As you can see Sawyer was NOT a fan.

Stella wouldn't got to him either, but she was all about the candy cane. Now whenever you mention Santa...she'll say candy cane. :)

Poor Sawyer still didn't like Santa even with Papa holding him.

PS...I was super impressed with this Santa. there was NO line because instead of heading to the mall...we visited the Santa at a local hardware store not far from my brother's house. And the employees made it super fun!

After Santa, the store had a table set up for kids to decorate cupcakes.
Stella looks interested, but...

Hunter was the one on a mission and completed the task :)

I think my brother and sister in law will take the boys back there next year because it was so fun and quaint, but it's a GOOD Santa :)

Montana Part 2

We loved our time in Montana and we tried to get a family Christmas picture, but being the hormonal pregnant woman I am right now I wasn't satisfied with what I looked like, but I just thought this was SUPER cute of Tom and Stella.

Not the best picture, but yes, this is the view from my brother's deck.

Aunt Booba gave Stella her first french braids. I really need to learn how to do this.

Bath time with younger cousin, Sawyer. Hunter did NOT want to share his tubby time, so instead he took showers later.

And since the ladies did so much cooking, the guys actually made us a yummy breakfast one morning.

Here's my brother being dramatic and imitating us saying we need to keep the kids out of the kitchen. he is so fun, but such a dork.

Thanksgiving

Ha! Our Thanksgiving started of Montana style. The guys got up early for a morning hunt. And as you can tell by the smiles they were successful. Sorry for the blood on Tom's face...my dad and brother always make him do silly things and this time he had to "pack" out the deer over his shoulder.

Of course, every hunt has a good story :)

Gutting the deer...you can thank me for using this picture instead of the others.

After showering...Tom and Hunter and Sawyer just hung out waiting for dinner.

Booba outdid herself with the festive decorations.

Seriously look at that spread. There were 6 adults and 3 kiddos...yes, we had plenty!

Stella chowed down on some potatoes.

And Hunter was super excited about the turkey leg. I don't know if he even liked it, but he'd been asking for it since Booba bought the turkey.

It was a great Thanksgiving!

We all have a LOT to be thankful for!

Montana Part 1

In the middle of my 3 week trip back home, my mom, dad, Stella and I packed up and drove from Oregon to Montana. Of course we hit the first snow storm of the season, ha, but it wasn't too bad. We just took it slow and Stella did great! And once we got to my brother's house...we had a BLAST. Hunter and Stella were all about helping Gaga make our Thanksgiving pies. I love this picture because Hunter is busy working and it looks like Stella is telling Gaga what to do.

They were such good helpers and the pies were super YUMMY.

The snow might have made it an interesting drive, but it was SOOO BEAUTIFUL once we got there. My brother and sister in law live on this awesome mountain side and it was so relaxing waking up to snow covered country.

Once it got above 0 (yes, 0) we let Stella and Hunter play for a few minutes outside. Stella wasn't sure what to think of all this white stuff. She kept calling it sand.

Hunter on the other hand was a wild man outside and kept face planting in the snow...on purpose.

I LOVE this picture because Hunter is as happy as can be, but Stella is not so sure. Don't worry Stella eventually liked it.

Oregon Part 1

Stella and I had the chance to go to Oregon for 3 weeks and we had a big time. My parents have a new dog, Weezer, and Stella loves her. She LOVED helping Papa give her a bath.

I'm pretty sure Stella was very wet too, but hey that's what happens when you're having fun with Papa and a puppy.

And since we were there towards the end of the regular college football season we got in on some of the tailgating action at the Oregon State games...Go Beavs! My parents host a tailgater every home game and this was the first of 2 we got to go to. Stella was a big helper getting things ready.

Ready for some football!

And of course, after a trip to the bookstore with Gaga...someone had a new sweatshirt.

Bundled up for the game. Stella loved my parents seats...she could see everything, but since this little one skipped her nap...she passed out in my arms soon after kickoff.

You can tell she's still tired post game.

She loved warming up with Papa by the fire after the Beaver win.

Sassy Pants

Lately this Sassy girl has been striking her sassy pose when I ask her to. I don't know where it came from and it normally only lasts two seconds. But I just think it is too cute for words!

The sassy pose usually includes this SUPER cheesy smile with her eyes almost closed.

She loved wearing this coat but wasn't being super sassy before church, ha!

And yes, I would say at least 2 nights a week this little one sports her sunglasses while eating. What can I say...she's a star!

Sorry for the bad quality of pictures, but Stella is a super busy body lately so these are normally captured on my phone before she's off to her next thing.

Also, I'm going to work on being better at posting!

Halloween OVERLOAD

Beware: Picture OVERLOAD
We started our celebrations on Friday with a Halloween Playgroup Party. It was a zoo! But so fun. Thanks Rebekah for being a hostess with the mostess and for Cilla for sharing all your toys.

Brayden was Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba and ever since then Stella has reunited with her love for that weird show.

Trenton came as spiderman. Look at those muscles.

Sweet Cilla was done waiting for her friends to get there...it was time to dig in!

Brody was the cutest little giraffe.

I missed some pictures of the other kids, but it was crazy, so I 'm sorry!

That evening our little monkey found her banana just in time for Trick or Treat on the Square.

This has always been one of my favorites about Fayetteville,but it was CRAZY.

Waiting in line for her treats from Daddy's work.

Stella is very much like me and loves to people watch. The square was a PRIME location for this activity. However, I have to remind Stella not to stare :)

Not the best angle of me, but a family picture!
I just love this monkey and banana.

Stella even made her way on the news. We were standing around talking to some friends and Clint, the weather guy at Tom's station, grabbed Tom and Stella for a quick interview. She loved the attention.

Of course, Stella was so excited to see one of her favorite "BIG" friends, Bella. She loves running into people outside of the normal setting.

Oh, but our fun didn't end on Friday. Our church hosted a skate party Sunday afternoon...so of course we joined in the fun!

I was surprised that she knew what to do right away.

The only problem was -- this little monkey wanted Mommy to hold her hand instead of daddy. My back is still sore. DO NOT WORRY....I was in regular shoes NOT skates. I know my limits, ha! Plus my OB would kill me. But the skating excitement didn't last long. After a lap of half-holding onto mom and mommy carrying her she was done.

Plus it was hot...so we ditched the costume. BUT Stella was very concerned that Jonathan was trying to steal her skates. Every time he came near she grabbed her skates. I think this is a cute picture of them.

Then look who showed up...BARBIE...aka Aunt Lori!!!
Stella loved it.

And of course she wanted to be like Aunt Lori and tried out the Barbie box. I have a feeling this box is going to end up at our house.

I think this picture proves that Lori and Tom took Halloween costumes seriously as kids. Barbie, her mechanic husband, Uncle Julian, and banana Tom.

It was a great Halloween, but I'm pretty sure Stella is DONE with her monkey costume. Thanks Gaga I think we got every penny out of it!

PS there was no trick or treating because later Sunday afternoon Stella tweaked her knee climbing on a bench and wouldn't walk on it. I'm happy to say, she is back to normal this morning. But she is tired. I think between the Halloween parties, skating and the Hog game she is worn out. I know Mommy is!