The Hazard Chronicles

What an amazing couple of days we have had.

Yesterday we woke up and had a great breakfast, prepared by Rachel. Following a relaxed morning, we got in the car and drove to the Davenport Hotel. This is a VERY nice hotel in Spokane where they had a "Festival of Trees" display. It was pretty cool looking at all the trees, and for Rachel and I it was really neat looking at the decor and architecture of the hotel. It was also fun that the kids ran into Santa Claus just as we were headed out the door.

The kid's favorite display- Pirates!

After we were done with this, we drove straight to the Christmas Tree farm and picked out our tree. This is a fun tradition that goes back to my own childhood. The kids run around and each one picks out a tree and stands by it. We then decide as a group what one to get and we take turns sawing it down. Then, while the workers shake it out and get it ready to put on our car we sit in the little warming shack and drink hot chocolate and cider. It makes for a fun outing that will be the source of many good memories.

After we brought the tree home, the kids had quiet time and then we went to a Christmas party with Rachel's "group." This was a fun night with friends and delicious catered food in a beautiful setting. After our nice dinner, we had craft tables set up for kids and the ladies talked while the guys watched kids and played pool.

The next day we woke up and had another great breakfast (thanks to your's truly) and got ready for church. After church, Evelyn and I went on a "date" to celebrate her reading accomplishments at school, and then we came home and all decorated the tree and house as a family. Can I just say that I LOVE the smell of Christmas trees? Seriously- walking in our house right now is amazing.

Once our house was decorated we had our weekly family dance, and then invited our neighbors over to watch a Christmas movie with us with the projector while we ate pizza. For dessert night Jackson and Rachel served us all some amazing chocolate fudge cake with an oreo crust and whipped cream on top (with Jack's name written in chocolate, of course).

Basically, we are totally into the Christmas season and loving it!

Also- check out these new family pictures. I love them! One of Rachel's friends did this session for us as she was trying to build her portfolio for her photography business. Camille Neighbors was absolutely amazing with our kids, and comes highly recommended if anyone is looking for a portrait photographer in the area. I think these are some of the best we have gotten.

I love this family picture- we are finally complete!

Me and my girlfriend

I can see Evelyn living in Portland or Berkley or somewhere like that one day. She just has that look- you know? I like it.

Little Miss Sunshine

This guy is going to be a heartbreaker. Also you should see this guy dance- he's got the moves!

Maren just keeps getting cuter and cuter

We tried and tried, but she just wouldn't smile. We still love her though.

I love Maren's face in this one. Addy was starting to get a little cold though.

The kids get a kick out of this one because they think they are about to kiss- really they just touched noses though.

Merry Christmas!