Christmas in Spokane

I'm a little disappointed in my lack of pictures from our Christmas. I suppose it will be even worse next year with 3 kids to keep track of! We kicked off our stay in Spokane at Jesses Moms house on Long Lake. Nana and Papa Mike had a BIG and I mean BIG suprise for Meredith.

Powerwheels! Didn't you always want one of these?
The girls cruising the lake. Delaney is hilarious in this thing, she just screams with joy the entire time! Thankfully Uncle Scott is driving to McCall in a few weeks so he can deliver the goods.

Ready for Christmas Eve Mass. Think I can find 3 matching dresses for next year?

I really wanted to get pictures of the girls with each set of grandparents and aunts and uncles. Didn't happen...this is as close as I got, with Nana and Papa Mike.

My camera got left in the freezing cold car Christmas Eve so it wasn't working Christmas morning - no pictures! We spent Christmas morning at KK and Papa Jims with Uncle "Cotty" and Stacy. We ate all day long, relaxed and topped the night off with a great dinner. The princess dressup trunk Aunt Kortney got Meredith was a hit. She was dressed up the entire rest of the trip.

The cook and Papa Jim. I can't believe my Mom allowed beer bottles on the table!

Kids table! Scott, Ashley, Brett and Stacy

The Egg Nog cheesecake that put me over the edge.

Princess Meredith liked re-wrapping presents and handing them out again.

On Monday we packed up and headed back to Boise. Meredith got to help Papa Jim take down their tree. She thought it was great. Papa Jim...not so much.

Delaneys favorite spot to hangout at KKs.

One last cruise...see you in January powerwheels. Watch out East End!

Thanks to everyone in Spokane for a great trip! I also got to see some good friends which was fun. Now, if only I hadn't have had 2 pounds of cookies. Dreading the scale at the Dr. tomorrow.

Home Again...

We are back from our big trip to Spokane. It wasn't the easiest trip with 2 kids, luggage, Christmas presents, carseats etc...but we made it and it was so nice to spend the Holidays with family! Thanks to all the Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles that made it a very special trip. I have lots of pictures to share but can't stay awake to do that right now, maybe tomorrow.

For now, here are some cute photos from our visit to Santa at the mall and lunch at Red Robin afterward. I think this is the 3rd year we've done this with my dear friend Sara and her two kids. Delaney didn't make it into the picture this year, there was no getting near Santa for her. Check out the pictures HERE.

December 2009 - Week 3

Another busy week! We started off with Meredith Holiday program at school. She did great, no stage fright for this kid. I didn't get many pictures because I was wrangling Delaney and taking videa which can be see HERE. Delaney was happy to sit with the big kids for a minute!

Listening to the story of baby Jesus (which is now the name of all Merediths dolls).
Good old Cooper hamming it up!

My attentive child...love Coop again in the background.

Meredith and Ava at the end of the big performance

Ava hosted a fun Christmas party for her friends. The carousel decoration help the kids captivated for a loooong time. And then my camera ran out of batteries so no more pictures of the party.

On Friday Gene and Dana took the girls up to the cabin while Jesse and I attended dinner with his boss and some other co-workers. It was a fun night and I was so proud of Jesse when he got a new title - Senior Vice President! Me and the girls are really thankful to have such a great Dad and husband, we sure are lucky. Jesse and I drove up to meet the gang and celebrate Christmas #1....

Presents!

More presents!

Books! I always love a picture with Jesses "smoking jacket" included.

Santa had his elves deliver an early gift. The Snow White Barbie complete with "cleaning rags", her "regular dress" and her "wedding outfit". A huge hit.

We all ventured to Brundage to see Meredith hit the slopes for the 1st time this year. She did a GREAT job. Being a little taller is making all the difference. So glad we are doing lessons this year.

Delaney sporting the 'monster suit'.

Crusing the bunny hill!

And last but not least, a rare belly shot at 24.5 weeks. We all look a little rough around the edges tonight! We all need a good nights sleep before our big adventure to Spokane for Christmas.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

More Pub Crawl...for anyone that cares

More photos HERE. Who let me out of the house with that top on?!

Holidaze Cont....

I stole a few more photos from last weekend off of Heathers blog. Heathers daughter Isla was the only little one that lasted more than a few seconds on Santas lap! Did I mention that our Santa is none other than Papa Gene? Shhhhh, don't tell Meredith or Delaney!

These two, born hours apart are going to be trouble. They already look guilty.
I'm telling you, the egg toy Eli got was a huge hit with the 1 and under crowd.
And after the innocent gingerbread party was the not-so-innocent pub crawl. 2 couples 'sponsored' each bar by choosing the drink and buying for everyone. Suprisingly seamless - we can't wait for next year. We're thinking Chinden pub crawl? More photos stolen from Heather, thanks Heather!

The Lift on State Street

The lounge at the Modern Hotel.

Blues Bouquet...starting to go downhill here.

And...random shot in the lobby of the US Bank building. Why not?

Sara, Decker and Jessica. A BIG congrats to the Rolphs on the new addition arriving in June! I was happy to have Jessica to talk to by the end of the night...

Sarah and Kirstin...success.

80s dance party. Tammy and Crystal flashdance at Catacomb.

Sarah is super excited to be wearing a pink turtleneck and matching cords!

December 2009 - Week 2

It was a Holiday extravaganza weekend for the Hamiltons! I'm too tired to rearrange these photos into chronilogical order but you'll get the idea. Our weekend was jam packed with fun Christmas traditions, old and new!

Sarah Kearney and I took our 'big' girls to see the Nutcracker. They did such a good job and I think they really enjoyed all the tutus! Could I have a dancer in the making? Odds are one of my 3 girls might follow in my footsteps...

Sarah and Morgan
Me and my sweet Meredith
We'll back up to Saturday when we had our 2nd annual Gingerbread House Party. 8 'big' kids, 8 homemade houses and a ton of candy made for a great party. The lovely snow that fell all day made it a winter wonderland.

Meredith and Morgan

Ryder (getting so grown up!)

Aiden the candy-freak. A boy after my own heart!

Ashley tried to cover every inch

Thankfully Sara brought Sam some chocolate balls to go on his house. How could I forget to have balls for Sam?

After decorating the kids got ready for a special guest to arrive...

Isla caught the first glimps.

Santa arrived with presents in tow.

The best is that we have a new generation of criers. Payton was first up. Not a fan.

Aiden just wanted to stand closeby

Meredith was no scardy

Delaney...not so brave.

Sam had no fear but Eli was having none of it

Fisher and Finn are brave boys!

And the bravest girl of all was Morgan who has overcome her fear of Santa! But don't expect her to cozy up to the Boise Hawk, his feet are too scary.

It was so fun to see all the older kids really getting into decorating. Serious business! The little ones were all about the set of toy eggs Eli got from Santa. So fun to see them all moving and scooting!

Pub Crawl Sneak-Peek

Instead of having one poor set of friends host a huge Holiday shindig we decided to take the party to the streets. Thus the 1st Annual Holiday Pub Crawl. Good idea? Yes!

I didn't bring my 'paparazzi' camera with me so I'm relying on everyone elses photos. I'm guessing everyone is a bit 'slow' today so I haven't seen many pics of the debauchery but they are sure to come. But for now here is a little glimps of last night...in particular our dear friend Ryan whom I love to torture by posting awesome photos of him on our blog.

Looking quite lovely in a ladies mockneck and sweater vest. Courtesy of the Hefner-Glavins. Don't mind Jesse. I guess I'm just used to him kissing Ryan.

We decided the sweater was from Lamonts, poor quality.

Ryans awesomeness.

We love you Ryan!