Thanksgiving Week and Beyond.

Our baby girl turned 8 weeks old last Thursday!

Such a dream baby.

Around dinnertime, she gets tired but does not like to be laid down. I love her little pinky around my favorite necklace.

I finally let my big helper carry her. Oh, he loved it.

2 days before Thanksgiving, Brycen had an eye appointment (as per request from his school). Brycen loves all doctor and dentist visits (he's a bit crazy), so he was pretty excited and we found out that he needed glasses for being farsighted in one eye--there is potential to not need them in a few years if his eye gets stronger. The eye doctor could not believe that Brycen was only 5. He sat perfectly still and did just as she requested. If I hadn't seen it myself, I'm not sure I would've believed it. He is a great kid but he has his fair share of choosing to not listen at home.

The Portland Zoo is pretty sweet. We became members in October because one visit would cost $30 or we could get a year pass for just over $100, including the zoo lights.

The day before Thanksgiving was member only night. And it was 55 degrees out, a pretty gorgeous night. We almost didn't remember in time (see reason below) so we were only there the last hour. The train was pulled by an actually steam engine and had an equally impressive long line to ride it. *side note: Brycen weaseled Cian out of his stroller seat by telling him that he could sit on his lap. It lasted about 30 seconds, but was super cute.*

A wall of lights...

And tunnel. So fun.

We have plans to go again! And make it in time to take the train. Cian can not wait!

Also the day before Thanksgiving, we met with our realtor to put an offer in on a house. After the 2 hour meeting during so, we celebrated with melt-in-your-mouth, super delicious "Hot Now" donuts from Krispy Kreme.

The boys loved watching the process.

Don't get too excited though, by the time we were on our way home, we found out that the house we had put an offer in, had accepted an offer just two hours prior. All the house chaos and bummerness made me forget all about the zoo lights that I had planned on that night. But I remembered after driving all the way home. Our realtor's and Krispy Kreme are 5 minutes away from the zoo. Our home is 25....

Bryce and the boys' Thanksgiving masterpiece. We enjoyed the wonderful holiday with Bryce's family.

The week wore me out so I literally slept Black Friday away with Caraline. Which was kinda sad because we normally set up our tree on Black Friday. However, Saturday morning came and everyone was feeling better so we set out to find our first real tree. On the way to the tree farm, it poured but in the location where we were shopping, the rain had passed and the sun came out--pretty perfect.

Ever since we found our rental house (back in June) and Bryce saw the tall ceilings, he dreamed of a big Christmas Tree. Caraline nicely slept through the tree hunt but since she was in her carseat and Cian wanted to be carried through the muddy areas, I told Bryce that he could have any tree that he could carry (all trees were the same price of $15). Technically, the tree farm had helpers to help carry and cut but we all have our stubborn and independent moments. Some more than others :)

We settled on a 9 ft beauty with a relativity small trunk (thus, a lighter load). Our wonderful decision skills seriously shined as when we arrived, we were the only ones and about 15 families came and went before we found ours. And then Brycen had to go potty. At a place that had no public bathrooms. It was awesome.

Brycen was the instigator of the weekend. Ever since a boy in a class said that they cut down their own tree, Brycen begged to do the same.

Our tree was about as far away from the van as you can get. Bryce may rethink his independence next year.

I sure love sleeping kids. After our $15 tree purchase, the kids crashed on the way home and then we stopped at Home Depot for a tree stand and extra lights. $100 later....

We decorated. Cian assigned himself as the ornament hooker put-er on-er. The perfect job for him except that he made us say, "Trick or Treat" in order to get one.

I always find putting up Christmas decorations to be a ton of work but I also always enjoy the outcome. And the real tree was really a neat experience that we will for sure do again.

Merry Christmas!!