Base Kids Christmas Party

Yesterday was the kids Christmas party on base. We didn't take Addie last year because she was so little, but we decided to take her this year. Mainly we thought it would be our chance to get her to see Santa so we wouldn't have to take her to the mall to see him. Anyway, Grammy wanted to go with us too and Addie loved that! It was a big to-do - there were craft tables, lots of food, games, and FIVE blow up jumpy house-thingys. (Which Addie LOVES!) We wouldn't let her go down the big blow up slide because it was huge, but she did do a little bouncing in a couple of the houses and she did two little crafts. Grammy helped her make a Santa with a cotton ball beard and daddy helped her make a reindeer using her hands and paint to make the antlers. Both are very cute and I am excited to have some original baby Christmas art to add to our holiday decoration surplus. In fact, I think I am going to frame the reindeer because it is so cute! Addison looked adorable in the outfit Grammy bought her - red velvet dress, black velvet jacket, cream tights and black velvet shoes. ADORABLE - so much so I could just eat her up. Totally over-dressed but gorgeous just the same. And of course, Santa arrived in the back seat of an F-15, which is always neat to see! We decided while we were there not to have her sit on Santa's lap. There were so many kids and they were calling up kids alphabetically by their last name. Had we waited, we would have been there until Christmas! So she didn't get to see Santa, but overall she had a great time. (No need to worry, we are taking her to see Santa when Uncle Jake and Aunt Brandi are here in a few weeks.)

Star Fish and Sand Dollar

While we were out on the beach we came across a live star fish and two really cool sand dollars. I have to post them because they were so cool.

Walk on the Beach

Friday morning, Addie and I got up and went for a walk on the beach with Grammy and Papa. Because the surf had been so rough from the crazy weather we had been having there were lots and lots of shells on the beach. Addie looked so cute carrying the big bucket up and down the beach looking for shells. She got the hang of it too because by the time we were done, she was picking up every shell she could find out there - even broken, ugly ones. I was worried about taking her out there because she loves the water and I thought for sure she would make a bee-line right to the water. Luckily she only did it once and stopped when I told her no. I think she just got so involved in picking up shells and watching daddy's airplanes fly over that she forgot the water was there!

Grammy and Papa are here...

My parents and Newly made it here from their long road trip across the country on Wednesday evening. They had spent the last two days at Jake an Brandi's in Beaumont but were still tired and ready to be done with driving for a while. The weather had been terrible most of their trip and was really bad the whole day here while Addie and I waited for them down at the beach house. (Wednesday morning we woke up at 5:45 in the morning to the base sirens going off. We were under a tornado warning and had another one that same morning at around 10. Scary!!!) They got to the beach house about 5:30 that evening where we had dinner waiting for them. We didn't stay long there because they were tired and Addie hadn't napped at all that day.

On Thursday we took them to run some errands to help get them set up in the beach house - groceries and such. Addie and I went home for nap time and than went back down to the beach to spend the night with them. After all, the Civil War was on...

Most of you probably watched the game - it was nationally televised on ESPN. It was a great game - typical Civil War - back and forth, back and forth. It was intense - more so than in years passed... the Rose Bowl was at stake for the winner. The Beavs lead most of the game, but did end up losing in the end. Needless to say, this was not the ending we had hoped for. We were all hoping for a trip to Southern California from Santa this year on New Year's Day. Now we are waiting to find out which Bowl Game we are going to. I am hoping it is a good one and maybe my parents can catch it on their way back to WA.

Save a Horse...

Ride a black dog...

Christmas Tree

I always decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year was no exception. And usually we wait a few weeks to put the tree up. But I was so excited to see Addie's response to the tree that I asked Chuck if we could go get our tree and put it up early. On Friday evening, we went out and got our tree. (Addie was a big help getting the tree in the stand!) We let it sit over night to "drop it's branches" and than decorated it Saturday evening. Addison was curious for a little bit - she "ooohed and aaahed" over the ornaments. She would even take them over to the tree and hold them up to the tree. She couldn't quite figure out how they stayed on the tree so I tried to show her. That didn't really work, so she would just bring me the ornaments and would just show us where she wanted them. Obviously being that she is 18 months old, the tree is very interesting and I think to date, I have all ready re-decorated the bottom of the tree about a dozen times. I am finding ornaments all over the house - but luckily we were smart and put the breakable and valuable ornaments out of arms reach.

Christmas shopping... DONE!

I can say that as of yesterday, our Christmas shopping is done! I have never been done this early - and now the problem is just stopping! The house is decorated, the cards are almost in the mail. Now I have to wrap - YUCK!!! And I have two little craft projects I want to attempt. (Well, one is a craft, the other is simply downloading videos of Addie onto DVD's.)

I could seriously buy forever and ever for little Missy! It is ridiculous how many cool things are out there for the little ones. And everything I see for her I think "Oh, she would have sooo much fun with that." Did they have all this cool stuff when we were kids and if so, how did our parents ever stop? Christmas morning around here is going to be STUPID - the amount of stuff she is getting - just from us. And I know in the future, when she understands Christmas we really need to tone it down as it is important to us that she learns the real meaning of the holiday. But in the meantime, we are having FUN!!!

Addie and I started our little baking tradition yesterday. I have very fond memories of my mom baking for the holidays while I was growing up and I really want Addison to have the same memories. Since we don't have family here to bake for, I am baking and Chuck is taking into the squadron for his co-workers to enjoy. Yesterday we made snowballs and oatmeal/chocolate bars. Both were very tasty!

Grammy and Papa get here tomorrow night. They are at Jake and Brandi's in Texas right now. I have a few errands I need to run today to help them get all settled and I need to get somethings lined up to take down to the beach house for Addison since I am sure she will be spending A LOT of time there over the next month or so! I think Addison, for as much as she understands, is looking forward to having them here. And I know for certain they are excited to be here with her!

Thursday night - and I don't know why it is Thursday night - is the all important CIVIL WAR. Oregon State - my alma mater - takes on our arch enemy the Oregon Ducks. It is a big game as usual, but this year there is A LOT at stake. Whichever team wins is going to the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. The Beavs haven't been there since sometime in the 1960's - I believe. I am sure it will be a good game and we may have to start drinking early in the day to get through it because I am SURE there will be tense moments. We hate the Ducks with a passion but those bastards always manage to make our heart stop time and time again during the Civil War. Many years, I have been on my knees praying during the game. No joke! Last year, Chuck couldn't even watch it with me I was so bad. Now that is saying something!!!

Saturday is the base Kids' Christmas party. Santa will be arriving in an F15. We are dressing Addie up really cute and taking Grammy and Papa with us. This is the only time we are planning on taking her to see Santa this year, so hopefully we get some good pics like we did last year! I will post what I get!

I think I can officially say now that it is December - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!