November was a great month for us! Very busy per usual but so many fun activities planned. I started out the month by enjoying a weekend in Chelan for my cousin Danielle's 40th birthday. We had a great time wine tasting and celebrating her (Love you Danielle!). The kids clearly missed me because when I got home, Cameron told me I wasn't allowed to be gone for two nights ever again! Little did he know that the following weekend, I would gone for a night again!! The following weekend, I had a great sleepover at my mom's house - just the two of us. It was so much fun - we went shopping, went out to dinner and snuggled and enjoyed some wine at home. Thank you mama for a great time!
The weekend after my sleepover at mom's, Kate came over and shared two great days with us. She spoiled us by taking a few family pictures at Lake Wilderness (THANK YOU!!!) The kids sure do love her and it show in her photographs. She is always able to capture a side of the kids that only we get to see. I'm so blessed to have these pictures but it would be different if a stranger took them. Cam and Nat absolutely adore her and I think the feeling is mutual. WE LOVE YOU KATE!
This year, we had two Thanksgivings separated by the Apple Cup - GO DAWGS! The first Thanksgiving was spent in Ballard with my mom's side of the family. This year, we were invited to spend the holiday with the Stokke family (my mom's cousins). They always rent a large hall because of the amount of people in the family - there were about 50 people at Thanksgiving this year! I'm so thankful to have celebrated with such a loving family. Thank you for inviting and celebrating with us! After dinner, Ryan, Luke, Uncle Mike and Uncle Ty headed east of the mountains for the Apple Cup. They stayed in Moses Lake at Uncle Ty's house and drove over to Pullman Friday morning for the game. The guys had such a great time! It's so cute to see this tradition continue - and one day, Cameron will be a part of it.
On Saturday, we celebrated Thanksgiving with Ryan's family at his parents' house. It was a lot less people and more intimate. It was fun to have a big Thanksgiving and a small Thanksgiving all in one year! Everything was great on Saturday, very relaxing and fun. Thank you Cindee and Marc for hosting!
This month, we also celebrated baby Cole and cousin Charlie's birthdays! Both parties were amazing and on the same day! The kids played so hard at Cole's first birthday party at Little Gym - bouncing, running, jumping and climbing! It was so great to be included at his little friend party. I have so many amazing memories of growing up with Bret - now our kids will have these memories too. Charlie's birthday was just down the street at Lucky Strike! The kids bowled and played arcade games until they were ready to drop! Once again, Ashlee did an amazing job planning and putting on a great party! Thank you for including us!!
Another big thing that happened this month. Poor little Basil had to have most of her teeth removed after discovering awful dental disease. I was very upset (granted) at first but after she came home and was starting to come around a bit more, I noticed she is feeling better. This poor, sweet little creature is no longer in pain and will start to have a better experience soon! It is so crazy how quickly pets bounce back! I wouldn't be able to like she did!
Throughout all these busy events, dinners, sleepovers and parties - I found myself striving to entertain the kids with new and exciting activities. We went hiking Tiger Mountain and visited Snoqualmie Falls with Kate, did a day of science experiments, a lot of "Fall Walks" to collect leaves and sticks and started playing card games! The kids are at a fun age because we can go do something at any hour of the day without freaking out about naps! We are also outside a lot more because my hip is feeling so much better. I want to make sure the kids are active and love to be outdoors.
Both kids are doing amazing! Both Cam and Nat started swimming lessons in November and are absolutely loving it! Cameron still remembers all the techniques and moves from the last session of swimming and is rocking treading water with a floatie!! I can't believe I'm seeing my baby swimming unassisted in a pool! Natalie started her first instructor swimming lessons and is LOVING IT! Every week, she is so excited to get into the pool and swim. She is willingly going to the instructor and trying everything she is asking for her. I'm so proud of not only her testing herself, but of how stinking CUTE she is!! Nat always has a giant smile on her face!
Cameron is still loving school and looks forward to going. We have been hit with several nasty colds this fall and he has come close to missing a class - he was so upset and didn't want to miss a thing. As a mom, this is music to my ears! It makes me feel wonderful knowing that he enjoys PreK and looks forward to being with his friends and teachers. He is learning so much and looks forward to each and every class!
For months, Natalie has been asking to attend PreK and gets ready to "go to school" every time with take Cameron to school. On Fridays, Cameron gets to bring a lunch and has show and tell. Natalie has been bringing a Show and Tell item to show Ms Keely during drop off! She also participates in every Spirit Day the school has! She wants to go to school so badly - and Ms Keely and Ms Melissa have noticed it too. This month, Keely and I had a conversation about starting Nattie in January in Ms Melissa's class. After long discussions with Ry, lots of tears and laughs, we have made the BIG decision to put Natalie in PreK starting in January!! To say she is excited is an understatement!! She is so ready to be in school and I think this school is amazing.
I'm so proud of both my kids. The amount of empathy and compassionate they both show is heartwarming. We are so thankful that we are all healthy and happy! Stay tuned for my ON TIME December blog entry and I hope everyone has a great December and holiday season!
HUGS!
