santa and our sunday best

we took parker to see santa this year at RC Willey. they took the picture and printed it out right there for you, for FREE! then they had a complimentary lunch of hot dogs and sodas. it was a fun little outing.

im glad there was a mrs. claus to had brooklynn too, because i was a little nervous to hand my month old baby to santa. every year we have taken parker, he has screamed. i LOVE the pictures we have of him crying on santa's lap. i was a little sad he didnt cry this year. i guess that means he is growing up. 

on sunday we dressed up in our sunday best. i found both of the kids christmas outfits at the DI of course. 

though they both looked darling, brooklynn totally stole the show. i mean, could you just die? 

i promise im not as creepy as this picture makes me look......

she has him wrapped around her finger.

 though im bummed we didnt travel to see any family this year, im excited to celebrate parkers birthday tomorrow and watch his excitement on christmas morning! having a 3 year old this time of year has been so fun.

the holiday season

for thanksgiving this year we traveled over to idaho falls to spend it with the rucks family. everyone was home this year for it, so everyone got to meet brooklynn, and we finally got to meet our new nephew greysen, who was born way back in march. 

parker had a blast running and jumping and screaming and running and jumping and screaming some more with his cousin marcus. it was a lot of chaos when they were awake. we enjoyed a yummy thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings and hanging out with family. jared and i even got to go out on a quick date one night. 

cute matching outfits.

brooklynn didnt feel the same way i did about her outfit. 

charlee loved holding brooklynn, and asked mulitple times to hold her. charlee is brooklynn's only girl cousin and brooklynn is cahrlee's only girl cousin. its too bad they are 7 years apart! 

trying to get a picture of his turkey shirt. the kid didnt stop moving the entire time he was there! so much room to run and play and no neighbors below us to bother. he was in heaven!

great grandma poulsen holding brooklynn. 

sweet girl

love my parker boy.

her little tutu was ADORABLE!

before we headed to idaho falls we set up our christmas tree. it was so fun. parker LOVED it. he was so cute and fun to watch. wish i could say the same for brooklynn. she was not a happy camper while we were trying to decorate it. for some reason she thought she needed to eat or she was going to die :) 

since we are staying in boise for christmas this year *tear* we finally upgraded our tree status from the dinky charlie brown one to this one. 

he was so excited to put the star on

cant believe we have four stockings to hang up now! i went the ghetto route and just taped them up. maybe after christmas ill get some matching stocking holders for cheap. 

my mom found this magnetic nativity scene and gave it to parker. 

ive tried telling him the story of baby jesus but eh, he doesnt seem to care too much.

but he sure has had fun playing with it. 

just as he loved all things halloween, parker is loving all things christmas. from santa to snowmen to reindeers and christmas trees. all the christmas stuff at the stores is just magical for him. he loves reading his christmas books and we have watched the polar express everyday for the last few weeks. i dont mind though, i love the christmas spirit it brings into our home and i love seeing how excited he gets to watch it. he loves singing jingle bells and can kind of sing we wish you a merry christmas. it just blows my mind that this is already his FOURTH christmas. 

and last but not least! we cant forget about parker's birthday tree! we set it up in his room, and we will put his birthday presents under it this year.

okay and just because i LOVE this picture.....

just call him mr. mom :) 

i sure am one lucky girl!