Elk feeding station

Last weekend we went up to the Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk feeding station in Naches. It was really awesome to see that many elk in one place, we saw 850 and if there was more snow there would be more. We took a little ride on a truck out in the field and we got to observe the elk and talk to a guide. The boys loved it, Carter loves animals and enjoyed watching them run around and seeing them up close. Logan watched them intently and even said elk and truck, it was really cute.

One of the coolest things we saw were two bald eagles that were perched on the mountain right above us and kept flying around. We've seen a lot of bald eagles, but never two together like that. They also have big horn sheep they feed that we saw, but didn't get any pictures. I would highly recommend this to anyone heading that way, the best time is January and February.

There is a little visitor's center that Carter really enjoyed, they have a bunch of taxidermied animals and a box of bones and hydes the kids can explore.

Snow! Snow! Snow!

We only had a few days of snow, but we took advantage of it. There is a great sledding hill at the school just a few blocks away. Our family loves to sled and it was great to meet up with our neighbors and have a great time...we only wiped out one kid this year, not bad. Poor Logan had to go during his nap time so he was a little laid back.

The boys got there in style with Daddy pulling them.

Logan has it made he goes down and up and never moves. He gets a big smile every time he went down the hill, but eventually he fell asleep.

Christmas

Here is a few pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas. It was a really fun year because Carter is so excited about Christmas and Logan is finally old enough to enjoy it. Carter was into toys and Santa and all the fun stuff, but we are really proud of him because he totally gets that celebrating Jesus' birth is what it is all about. He loved setting up the nativity set and he told me we had a good view of it from the kitchen table so we checked it out every time we ate, he loves to read the Christmas story and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas.

It was such a blessing to spend time with our family and especially having four generations together. You will also see if you pay attention that Christmas was a day of pajamas for Carter, he started with his Christmas jammies, then he got Buzz Lightyear jammies from Logan that he had to wear right away then we went to Nana and Papa's and he got Transformer jammies from Aunt Nell so he finished his day in those until dinner. Apparently dinner is worth getting dressed for. And that is why Mom's have so much laundry. :)

We put out cookies and eggnog for Santa and special reindeer food in the front lawn. Logan got a kick out of throwing the reindeer food if you can tell he is cracking up laughing in the picture. Carter checked it out and the reindeer food was gone in the morning. Logan snuck in and snagged he last cookie off Santa's plate Christmas morning and ate it as quick as he could and then sneezed half of it on me. :)

Look what Santa brought... a batcave and Bakugan for Carter and a musical sit n' spin for Logan

Here's the blanket Mommy made Logan for Christmas. I've had the material since I was pregnant... better late than never.

Logan was not that into opening or gifts until he realized that you could throw the wrapping paper away in Grandpa's bag. He threw every scrap of paper away he could get his hands on and then the gift if you didn't watch him closely, good thing Grandpa was monitoring the sack.

Here is a remote control airplane Gee Gee got him, it is like the ones she built during WWII when she lived in California...really special.

Logan trying on Kayla's shoes

Check out these cute little raincoats and boots from Great Granma Lorraine

Christmas activities

We always have a lot of fun enjoying all the Christmas activities and traditions with our family. This year we took in the lighted boat parade at the Clover Island Inn while having dinner. It was a great spot because the boats make a loop there so Carter had plenty of time to decide which ones were his favorites. Carter had a little Christmas party at school, we did our Christmas lights tour and candy cane shakes as usual, my parents Christmas party and church and dessert on Christmas Eve.

Brady and Carter checking out the boats.

Goofing off at dinner...what a great influence. :)

Carly and Kayla were sweet enough to play Sponge Bob with Carter

We had a heated foosball playoff at the Christmas party this year.

Nana has a thing for Santa hats

Carter's class had a verse and a couple songs to share with the parents

Logan had a great time playing at school after the program

Cookie party

We had our annual cookie decorating party and it was a lot of fun. It was a little calmer which was a nice surprise and it is always fun to watch the little ones decorate and enjoy their cookies. Carter is helping me blog this and he has a message:

Thank you all for coming and I hope you come to the next cookie party next Winter. This is from Carter.

The big boys decorating - this picture cracks me up of Logan stretching as big as he can to see what's going on up there.

The little ones decorating - aren't they cute.

Logan was really cute, carefully frosting his cookie and placing each M&M on it. Nana got to help Logan decorate...

Mom got to clean up the mess...

Grace and Reese with their matching sweaters

Aunt Carly and Logan

The Garcias showing off their new little one

Tori and Canaan chasing each other

What a cute little outfit, and a beautiful little girl in it