Our Frst Real Tree

After 11 years of marriage we finally cut down a real Christmas tree for our home this holiday season. We've always been away from home for the two weeks of Christmas, so we've never felt a need to put up a real tree. This year we are going up to Olympia for Christmas Eve and Christmas but then we'll be home the 26th to celebrate Christmas with Trevor's family. They are driving up from California for Amelia's baby blessing. We wanted the house to feel like Christmas for our family. We've loved having a beautiful tree up in our home for the past few weeks.

All three kids fell asleep on the five minute drive to the farm. We were the only ones at the farm so Trevor and I scouted out a tree while everyone slept. By the time we picked it out and cut it down the kids woke up. They got to see the tree go through the twine and be loaded onto the van. Since this was our first time we might have gotten a little carried away with pictures.

Trevor would have liked a taller tree, but I didn't want to overdue it for our first time

Trevor made the comment that we should move to a place with some land. I laughed at the thought of my California city boy turn farmer.

We have a vehicle we can strap a tree to:)

Amelia in the warm car

We got the tree home without any problems

TJ's Birthday

For TJ's birthday we went to Chuck-e-Cheese's when it opened Monday morning. That way we could miss the crowds and be there right after it had been cleaned. There were only a few other kids around so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Dad got 100 ticket Jackpot with his first and last tokens. The boys had a blast and Amelia slept soundly in her stroller the entire time. Later that night we enjoyed cake, ice cream and presents.

The easy way to decorate a cake:)

The morning at Chuck-E-Cheese

Dad had lots of fun:)

Baby Amelia slept the entire time

Thanksgiving Highlights

We spent Thanksgiving up in Olympia with the entire family. There were 18 of us 6 of which were under the age of 4.

Aunt Chelsea gave Amelia an adorable headband

Jena with both new babies

All the Russell Grandchildren (look at Russell)

Cousin Drake and Amelia eight weeks a part

Our first family dance party. All the Russell children remember when Dad would come home from work and crank up his stereo so we could all dance in the living room.

The cousins all posing for a Christmas Pajamas picture. It was quite the circus.

A few days at home

I've been able to recover quickly from this delivery because of all the help from family and friends. My mom and Trevor helped me during my stay at the hospital. Trevor's mom flew in and helped after I came home from the hospital. I was able to rest and recover while Trevor and Andrea took care of the house and the boys. Andrea was a great help during the nights with Amelia. She helped her get back to sleep at all hours of the night. Yummy meals were brought in and friends came to visit. I'm so grateful for family and friends. Here are a few pictures of Amelia and the boys since we've been home.

She is in the preemie outfit Krista gave her because she couldn't fit into any of her 0-3 month clothes.

I just love sleeping pictures (my mom made the adorable blanket)

The boys brought in their blankets and wanted to be wrapped up like Amelia

That's a yawn

Amelia with Carol

Trevor pulling one of his funny faces because I'm taking too many pictures

Amelia with Grandma Andrea

Welcome Amelia

This is just a quick update on our family. Amelia Joyce Adams was born November 17 th. She weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 21 inches long. She is such a joy to have in our lives. We are all doing well adjusting to our new arrival. Here are just a few pictures of her hospital stay and first time meeting the boys.

Grandma Kathy made this adorable blanket.

Sonia has also helped with all my deliveries at Legacy.

Dr. Chen has delivered all three of my kids.

Alyse our delivery nurse

This is a little video footage of the boys getting their present from Amelia. This Batman Castle has been a lifesaver. It's created hours of fun.

Halloween Night

We actually went on three trick-or-treating adventures this year. It started Friday afternoon at Dad's office. The boys got to go from desk to desk asking for candy. They ended up in a big conference room icing sugar cookies and drinking juice boxes. Dad loved showing off his boys at work. On the way home we picked up McDonald's because we only had an hour before Trunk-or-Treating at the church. We dumped out the office candy and filled the pumpkins again with candy from the cars and vans at church. Saturday we went out trick-or-treating with the Williams family. We walk a block with them every year. We also spent some time at the Jensen's Halloween party. Audra had gone all out on fun Halloween food.
Sunday night TJ said the prayer on the food and asked if it could be Halloween again tonight and the next night, and the next night for all the rest of the nights.

Trunk-or-treating at the church

Russell was a trick-or-treating power house

TJ chose a glow stick over a full size candy bar:)

I went around as a pregnant Japanese woman and Trevor wore his Cheat T-shirt

Ready for fun

There were some great houses in our neighborhood