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Bear: Oh you know just sitting and having a chat with Santa.. no big
Wolf: hiding in the "reindeer forest"
Hawk: Christmas Story anyone.

While my MIL was here we continued last years tradition by trying Idaho's version of the Polar Express, the Santa Express. It was a total hit! Though the trip there was a little rocky (grumpy adults... what can I say we are human) we made it there and had a great time. The staff was friendly and so great with kids we were entertained by some funny elves and even got to get out of the train and visit Santa's workshop where we got to take pictures with him and Mrs. Claus on his sleigh and leave carrots for the the reindeer. On the train ride back Santa sat with us for a while and had a chat with the boys. Bear totally threw us a curve ball when he went from telling us he wanted specific Thomas trains to asking Santa for books and a "magic school bus"? (FYI he has no idea there is actually a cartoon with that name). This is definitely something we will be going back to each year.


*here's last years experience* Yay no one threw up this year! And yes Hawk fell asleep in that position and didn't even notice that Mrs. Claus held him for a little .

Halloween

Halloween was a busy day for us. We spent the morning at a local state park and trick or treating in the evening. Bear was so excited about Halloween, we've had our costumes for the last two month. We dressed up a little early to insure being able to get a few photos. (last year I waited too long and only have Iphone pictures) Last minute pumpkin carving, and a little Punkin Chunkin show to pass the time before it was dark enough to head out.

Baby Hawk fell asleep before the festivities officially started so papa stayed home and handed out candy while I took the boys trick or treating. As you can see safety was at the utmost importance and the boys were excited about holding their  very own glow stick (thanks bubbie). We got home and they each had one piece of candy before going to bed. They requested to keep their glow sticks for the evening which seemed harmless at first. Two hours, and two very awake toddlers later we revoked that right. Between the sheer excitement, sugar rush and glow stick frenzy it took  them a while to finally fall asleep. Bear was still so hopped up on excitement that he walked into our room at 4am requesting to start our day. Ummm... not going to happen. He fell back asleep only to wake up at his normal time with a mission to attempt sneak candy. Oh children, what you won't do for candy. It was a wonderful day and the left over candy ( that I haven't eaten) it now safely on the top shelf of our pantry.

Happy Birthday America

I hope you all had a lovely 4th with your family. Our plans for the day were canceled due to a preterm labor scare. After going to the hospital yesterday I am happy to report that everything is okay and I was allowed to leave with the peace of mind that this baby will hopefully not make an early appearance. (we love you baby and can't wait to meet you either but just hang in there a little longer) So it looked like the raspberry festival and parade will have to wait until next year.

That didn't stop us from having fun. We enjoyed our day together as a family, a lot of backyard play time and to end the night just a few fireworks. Wolf wasn't particularly impressed  with the whole ordeal but he gave it a go. After we put them to bed and the sun finally set (how come no one told me the sun sets at 10pm here) husband and I enjoyed the fireworks outside on our own, and good conversation about our future and that of our growing family. We are eager to see what's in store.

Making Memories - The Polar Express

 

Last week were were able to celebrate Christmas a little early and receive our first present from  my in-laws.  We discovered that there is an actual Polar Express train show that runs in a city near us. We were all excited to hop on board and see what we were getting ourselves into.

We were served hot chocolate and cookies as soon as the trip started. Bear was obviously in heaven ( no need to mention his train obsession again, right?) We were given a sweet golden ticket that the busy conductor came by to punch. We all enjoyed having the book read on the trip and singing Christmas carols but of course the highlight of the show was Santa coming on board. I was so pleased to see that Bear was not the least bit apprehensive to talk to him. In  fact when Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas, Bear shouted "blue Thomas!!!" with such certainty that it made all of us laugh including Santa.

Like any outing with kids it isn't always some incredibly picturesque experience  Here's what these pictures don't capture. Two stir crazy little boys especially Wolf who was ready to get off the train a mere half hour into it (the trip is about an hour and a half), discovering that your older son gets motion sickness and well... having to change him out of his special Christmas pajamas that my MIL and I so carefully went hunting for the day before, the stir crazy feeling that you get as a parent when things don't go as planned and a trip that may be a little too long.

Despite those setback I wouldn't in anyway consider this trip a failure. I enjoyed the extra cuddles from W once he settled down and B was perfectly fine after he, shall we say, cleared his tummy. I brought an extra set of pajamas so all was well. I love that we now have this memory as a family. These stories are the type of things you will remember forever. No one ever recalls family trips  that went smoothly and perfectly in fact I would venture to say that most of us have funny vacation stories that didn't go as planned yet we hold these memories dear in our hearts and retell them through laughter. I think that as a parent we want things to go well and smooth (who doesn't) but when they don't we must remember that this is life. Not always perfect, sometimes a little yucky but always worth it.

Zoo Light Rookies

Even Santa goes to Zoo Lights 

B was roaring at the dragon 

 My MIL was in town this week and we decided to all head over and meet some friends at Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo. We received complimentary tickets and since none of us have ever been, it felt like the perfect opportunity  We were lucky that the evening cleared up soon as we arrived and were able to enjoy ourselves without being totally soaked.

Being rookies we had no idea what this was going to be like. We were all pleasantly pleased at just how awesome Zoo Lights is. Between the animal display on the concert lawn to the giant dragon that shoots  out smoke (lights in shapes of rings) it was all amazing. But of course the thing that took the cake with my boys (if you have read this blog a little you will probably already know the answer) was the train. It was decorated with a ton of lights and takes you around the whole zoo with lit animal scenes staged all around . It was the first thing we did right when we got in to beat the lines and the toddler late night grumpies. Bear of course could have riden it all night and been perfectly happy.

Our night continiued with the older toddlers running around admiring all  the lights until they were both too tired and requesting a ride on the shoulders of both their papas. It hands down will be added to our holiday traditions.

For more info on Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo be sure to check there website HERE.

Spending time together

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a lovely time just the four of us, stuffing our faces with a ton of delicious food. Since then the boys and I have been taking it easy and enjoying decorating for the holidays and just playing together. 

Husband has been working a ton of extra hours lately so our time together is really limited. So when he called me yesterday telling me to get the boys dressed because we were going out, I was in. Turns out   there is a park near our house that on clear days you are able to see Mt. Hood perfectly. It was beautifully covered in snow that made it look a a little pink during the evening light. 

The boys have missed  their papa a lot so they were overjoyed running around the park with him. 

Afterwards we enjoyed going out to dinner and spending some much needed time as a family. 

Breaking the rules

I am not the only one breaking the rules. Bear sneaking raisins 

My husband is pretty easy going. He typically isn't a huge rule guy, but there is one request he has made in the time we have been married. NO CHRISTMAS ANYTHING, BEFORE THANKSGIVING!!!!  Over the last few years I have sort of contained myself (only secretly listening to Christmas music in July) but today I got the boys involved. Ooops.

It was raining, we were baking, and all of a sudden there was Frank Sinatra singing White Christmas. I honestly don't know how it happened. It's a good thing that Thanksgiving is next week, I don't know if I can keep up this lie.

**I am not a baker by any means but I tried this oatmeal cookie recipe, and for being a rookie I have to say they actually turned out really yummy. I am actually eager to try again. Anyone have any easy cookie recipes?

Instagram and a Christmas gift idea

Has everyone gotten on the Instagram band wagon? Well if you haven't you should! I know it's been around for a while but it is still super fun. I love that it makes it so easy to share photos on Twitter and Facebook.

I have been thinking of fun and easy Christmas gift ideas for family and friends. What about an Instagram photo book? I love that these photos document all the little moments of our day, perfect for grandparents. Plus they are very reasonably priced and now until November 21st Blurb is offering a promotion for 15% off any book you make when you use the code FALLTHANKS. That sounds pretty awesome to me. If you want to follow me on Instagram my username is @cuteandpeculiar.


**this is a sponsored post**

4th of July this year in pictures

1. Happy Birthday America! Love Wolf and Mama

2 and 3 Our Table Setting 

4. Thank you pinterest for this super cute idea (can you see where a certain toddler started eating them?)

5. Waving  the flag

6. Loving his dinner outside

7. all cleaned up after bath in pajamas ready to test out some fireworks

8. Not impressed my sparklers

9 and 10 The boys special fireworks

11. Destruction