1st Annual Baking and Brew Day

On Monday Brittney and I had a baking day planned while the guys went fishing. Unfortunately the fishing trip was cancelled at the last minute, so the guys were stuck with us for the day! About halfway through our baking day, the guys decided to brew some beer! It was quite the juggling act in the kitchen getting cookies in and out of the oven while beer concoctions were taking place on the stove. It was a super fun day ~ we've decided to make this an annual event!

I was covered with flour

The beer!

The kiddos playing together!

Our cookies!

Annual Christmas Baking Day with Cheryl

Each year my best friend Cheryl and I have a Christmas baking day - we have been best friends since 1st grade and have always loved baking together for as long as I can remember. It was so fun to spend the weekend with her and cook up some of our favorite goodies!

The prep work

Oly was on stand-by for any handouts

Cheryl and our little elf helper!

The finished products ~ bon bons, cream wafers, orange dream balls, layered peppermint ice, and almond roca.

Merry Christmas Cheryl!

Santa in Cedrona

Each year the Fire Dept. brings Santa and his sleigh to my in-law's neighborhood. They drive slowly through the neighborhood and collect canned goods, and pass out candy canes to the kids.

The dogs were not happy about being left inside :)

Its Snowing!!!!!!!

It started snowing today! This is Brooks' first time seeing snow. We went for a walk, and he was pretty mesmerized by it.

Meeting Santa!!

We took Brooks to meet Santa Claus! Brooks was a little unsure... This Santa was wonderful - his beard was even real!

Christmas with the Linns

Our dear friends - Brittney, Colin and Natalya came over for an early Christmas celebration. We couldn't resit the Santa and Mrs. Claus outfits for the kids!!

Brooks has the perfect Santa belly!

Christmas Tree Hunting

We went to an awesome tree farm near our house - we drove far out into the woods, on the hunt for that perfect Christmas tree. And I think we found it!

Notice Oly trying to help!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving in Portland at my cousin's house. It was a gray and wet day outside - but it was perfectly warm inside with good company and awesome food!

Brooks doing a card trick

The table is getting set

Brooks' first Thanksgiving - it was definitely past his bedtime...

My pies!

Visit to Naselle

My mom, Aunt Barb, Brooks and I took a trip to Naselle, WA - my mom's hometown. Its about a 2 hour drive from Olympia, located in SW Washington, near the Oregon border. Since my Grandma Simukka's passing in 2005, we have unfortunately not spent much time down in Naselle. I just love it there - I have so many wonderful memories spending time there with my Grandma. It is such a quaint little town, populated with many Scandinavian descendants. I was so happy to have Brooks meet some of his relatives!

Brooks' great-great Aunt Mary (my Grandpa Simukka's sister)

Brooks' great-great Uncle Alfred (my Grandpa Simukka's brother). My Uncle Alfred is quite the character - Brooks took to him right away.

Brooks' great-great Aunt Caroline (Uncle Alfred's wife).

This visit meant so much to me - my Grandma never got to meet Brooks - she would have loved him so much!

Swedish Meatball Marathon!

This weekend my mom, my Aunt Barb and I made Swedish meatballs for our Christmas dinner. Its an all-day process, so we like to do it ahead of time and freeze them. We've been using the recipe for many years - it is sooo good! Brooks was dying to get his hands in the mixture. We made a total of 408!

Garrett's Birthday at Ocean Shores

We spent a long weekend in Ocean Shores with our good friends the Linns. We had a relaxing weekend together while it was stormy outside. The kids had such a great time playing together - they are growing so fast!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARRETT!!