Neighborhood Progressive Dinner

We had a awesome progressive dinner for our neighborhood last week. Anna planned it.(even though she had just had a baby) It was a lot of fun to socialize with our neighbors and get to know them better. My group met at our house for appetizers, then we moved onto to the Drollinger's for a delicious ham, potato's, (real) cream of corn, and rolls. After that we all met up at the Villegas house for dessert. So much fun and I can't wait to do it again next year!:)

Sean's work party and Cierra's VIP day!

Sean has his Christmas work party on Friday. It was at the Union Station in Tacoma. It was decorated beautifully and the only thing wrong with the whole night was that the pipes froze and the water had to be shut off so needless to say there was no bathroom use.

We always have to take a picture of ourselves. It's tradition!

Cool glass art all over.

Sean got the award for Employee of the year. I was so proud of him. He works so hard at his job and I am glad he was recognized for all his hard work. The $200 gift card was nice too. Sean being the sweetest best husband in the world in turn gave it to me and said "Happy Anniversary!" He said to buy whatever I wanted. I can't wait to spend it and not feel guilty about one thing I buy. And I will not be buying anything for the kids!!!

Yesterday was Cierra's VIP day. Kaylee and Connor came from their classes and me, Brooke, Socks(the cat) and grandma and grandpa came in to watch her share her poster. She did a great job and it was fun to see her share with her class.

After she shared her poster, the class got to ask questions to all of us. They asked me how old I was, what my favorite color was, what we like to do with the cat. They also asked my mom how old she was. I don't think she was too happy.-lol

Thanks grandma and grandpa for coming. It meant a lot to Cierra.

Connor and I read a book to the class at the end. I read Knuffle Bunny and Connor read A pocket for Corduroy.

Christmas Rush!

On Saturday Mindy and I participated in the Christmas Rush run that was held in Kent. They had a 5k or 10k. I did the 10k and had a lot of fun. It was about 25 degrees and I was numb for the first 2 miles but after that I thawed out a little and was ready to go. I averaged a 9:19 pace and for me that is my best time I have ever had. It felt good and I was happy to finish the run. Mindy did the 5k and knocked 3 minutes off her time from the last one we did. I was so proud of her. She is improving by leaps and bounds and she is an inspiration to me everyday!:) Way to go Mindy!

Off we go. My friends, Vivian, Barbi, Carrie and Tasha also ran too.

Mindy looks like she is in pain but I think she was just happy it was over!

Almost done.......yah!!!

We finished!

What we have been up to!

We have been quite busy the last few weeks and this is just a little bit of what we have been up to.
Connor likes for one of us to lay with him for a few minutes while he is getting tired and this is what I found an hour later when I hadn't seen Sean come down. He was really sleeping like this. ;) I think it's funny, but he didn't.
We went to my parents house for Thanksgiving like we do every year and had great food and of course, great company. The kids ran around like crazy and had a ball. We watched the Cowboys and thankfully they won so Sean was happy!

The kids all playing on the computer:

My dad cutting into the delicious turkey:

My mom showing off the yams that did NOT catch on fire this year:

Sean and I in our Cowboys attire:

Cierra eating a few (hundred) olives:

The kids sat in the kitchen and the adults sat in the dining room:

Sean eating a few thousand calories:He was so stuffed, he had to take a nap afterwards!

Kaylee and Chance checking out the ads and making their lists.

Brooke making her list....or drawing a picture, not sure which.

Cierra being cute!

The disaster after we made our plan of attack for Black Friday. I ended up going to Toys R Us at midnight with my friend Amy, and then to Walmart with my mom and dad and Mindy and then over to Target with Mindy. After about 13 years of doing this, I think I have finally had enough. It was more crazy than ever and we didn't get some of the stuff we wanted.
After I took a nap we went back out into it all and shopped a little bit more and then we went and got our tree. We always get it the day after Thanksgiving and we are always ready to get rid of it the day after Christmas.

I love the scented pine cones that smell up your house. They are a must have!

Cierra's name was drawn this year to put the star on the tree. This is always a big deal every year.

Socks has been enjoying laying by the fire:

The elf is back this year and has been hiding in some fun spots. The kids love to find him every morning and see where he is. Brooke has been so funny about the elf and she is trying to be really good. Yesterday when we were at the Y she asked me if the elf could see her even when she is at the YMCA. I told her he could and she was so good the whole time.(hey-whatever works!) The rule is, you can't touch the elf but I couldn't resist putting it around Brooke's neck and teasing her. She was a little freaked out and didn't quite know what to do.

Cierra got her hair cut and I think it looks adorable when she actually lets me fix it. This was yesterday before school.

Sean is off work all this week so it has been nice to have some extra help. We are trying to get some things done around the house that has been needing to get done.

I will add some more completed pictures of the decorated house soon. Sean is suppose to hang outside lights tomorrow so if that happens, I will make sure I get proof. Usually my dad does it for us because Sean is afraid of heights so we will see.