Crazy December….

December wasn’t unusually crazy but for some reason I just couldn’t get my act together and share all of our wonderful adventures. 

On Thursday, December 10th we received a package in the mail from Grampy and Grammy in Mass that said OPEN on it.  Emma woke up early from her nap so she and I had some fun opening the present alone.  Grammy and Grampy sent us a new friend.  The girls love it. 

Bear is inflatable with a running fan that needs to be plugged in.  When we unplug it at night, Madi wakes up and says “uh oh, bear?” She doesn’t like him on the floor in a heap.  Bear is also supposed to go outside, but we thought he was way more fun in the living room.

On Saturday, December 12 we had a long overdue Capozzi-Richards family reunion at Kate and Josh’s.  The girls had so much fun running around with Jake, Reese and Makenzie.  Kendra and baby Ben Reese and Emma

Jake and Madi enjoying dinner.

The girls destroyed Jake’s room.  I guess that is what happens with two sets of twins running around. 

The next morning we went over to the Boyer’s for a Santa brunch.  The girls love playing at the Boyer’s and had a great time until Santa showed up.  They wanted nothing to do with him.  I thought it would go much smoother being in a familiar environment.  Boy was I wrong.  All the other kids did great and they all took turns sitting with Santa and telling him what they wanted for Christmas.  It was a great morning even with all the tears though.

Love the look on Emma’s face.  I love this picture of Brody, casually chatting with Santa. Jackson was very comfortable on Santa’s lap.

 

Madi didn’t want me taking any more pictures.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree…

Saturday morning we headed out on our Christmas tree hunt.  This year we headed east instead of north.  We went to a tree farm in Carnation, it was quite the popular tree farm.  Madi of course acted just as she did when we went pumpkin hunting.  All she wanted was to be carried which makes it difficult to get any pictures.  We did find a great little tree and the girls thought it was great that daddy could carry the tree.

So unhappy! Emma looking for the perfect tree.

Kneeling down to help daddy cut down the tree.

Emma LOVED hanging the ornaments on the tree. All breakables are on the top and kid friendly ones on the bottom. Madi checking out the duckie ornament BB sent to us last year. Emma checking out her good work. Madi hanging a frog angel on the tree. She is so obsessed with frogs, this has since ended up in bed with her. 

Nana and Papa to the rescue!

I am so thankful to have the parents I have.  For the last 32.5 years they have bailed me out, rescued me, stood by me and given me advice.  This last week was a little crazy. Chad was out of town on business and I had two student teacher observations I needed to do.  Not a big deal but when I go to observe I have to find someone to watch the girls.  This is where Nana has stepped in.  So on eight different occasions in the last three months I have packed up the girls and taken them to Nana and Papas to stay the night so I can get up early and go do my job.  On Tuesday night, I packed up the girls and all their gear.  I went to pack the car and noticed my trunk was soaking wet.  After further investigation I discovered about 2-3 inches of water in the spare tire compartment in my car.  Of course I freak out but we needed to get to Gig Harbor.  So we drive down to Gig Harbor and get settled.  In the morning Papa got up and broke out the shop vac.  He went to work sucking up all the water and cleaning all the seats.  The water was everywhere, under the seats, in the floor of the trunk, and on the floor of the back seat.  It was a mess!  As soon as it was ready to go I scurried off to do my first observation.  After my observation in Fife I drove to Seattle to drop my car off at the dealership to have them figure out what was going on.  My car was hit in June and I think it is an unresolved issue that wasn’t noticed.  Now that we have had 6 weeks of rain, the bad seal decided to show itself.  After dropping off my car I had to go back to the house and grab Chad’s car, drive back to Gig Harbor and stay the night one more night so I could observe my student teacher in Federal Way in the morning.  Nana was awesome and took care of the girls while I did all of my running around.  Nana and Papa live about an hour away, not close enough to see them on a regular weekly basis but close enough to help us out when we need it.  And they are always willing to help us out.  They love the girls and I feel so blessed that the girls love them.  They are completely comfortable at Nana and Papa’s, making themselves at home as soon as we get there.  They know where all of their toys are and where they go when it is clean up time.  In the morning they get up and crawl right in bed with Nana and Papa to read books while they read the newspaper. It is so sweet to see them give huge hugs and kisses goodnight and good bye.  There really is an enormous amount of love in this family.  Thank you mom and dad for helping me out this week while Chad was gone.  I couldn’t have done it without you.

Okay now a long overdue Thanksgiving post…

For Thanksgiving we went to Nana and Papa’s.  Auntie Kendra and Steve were there too.  After dinner Auntie Katie and Uncle Ryan joined us for dessert.  It was a very relaxed Thanksgiving with a wonderful meal shared. 

Airplanes, Airplanes, and more Airplanes

Thursday morning we decided to beat the gloom and doom of another rainy day by meeting the Boyer boys at the flight museum.  The girls love pointing out airplanes in the sky so I figured they would love to see all the planes in the museum.  Sure enough they did and the icing on the cake was that they got to see them with Jackson and Brody.  The girls wake up asking to see Jack and Brody almost every day.  So on Thursday when they asked, I actually got to say “Okay” without stretching the truth (aka lying). Emma the astronaut. Making the balloon rise. Emma and Jackson were little buddies, running around holding hands.  Super cute! Brody is a Blue Angel pilot. Emma and the boys checking out Earth from the space station.  Now if we could only figure out how to send them into space for real some days. Just kidding, who would want to send these kids into space?

Seattle Aquarium with J & B

Monday morning we met Jack and Brody at the Aquarium for a little play time.  The girls had a lot of fun running around with the boys, looking at the sea creatures and playing in the tot area.

Emma touching a starfish in the tot play area. 

Madi’s turn. Emma and Jackson looking at all the starfish. Emma and Madi checking out a grab. Trying to get all 4 kids to look and smile.

Four tots running wild. Madi and Brody

Break out the baby gates again

We have done away with all the baby gates except the one at the top of the basement stairs. The girls are at the point where we don't really need them to block off the kichen anymore. Today however, they discovered a new fun activity and we had to break out a gate for the bottom of the main stairs.

Trick or Treat!

We officially have our own trick or treaters.  The girls have learned the art of trick or treating and love it.  Today we took them down to University Village to participate in their annual trick or treating event.  There were a few moments when the crowds grew large or Madi was a little nervous of a witch, but overall it was a success.  And they were so excited about all their loot when we got in the car.  Emma went through at least 5 lollipops and more in just the 1 mile drive up the hill.  

Ready to trick or treat. My little ladybug My little bumble bee Daddy’s girl

Friday the girls got to wear their costumes to school.  It was fun to see all the kids dressed up.

On our way to school.

Each year our neighbors on 31st hang gigantic pumpkins from the tree in their front yard.  Last year the girls didn’t really get it, but this year they thought it was pretty cool.