*Catching up with December*

December has got away from me ... Here is a little of what we have been up to ...

Caden is starting to "like" Baby Levi. At first he didn't want much to do with him and would very vocally state, "I'm not playing with him until he is a kid" or "I'm not playing with him until he is five and I'm five". Yes, doesn't make much sense ... but apparently to the five year old it does.

We painted Christmas tree ornaments for the Grandparents. Caden defiantly has Dan's attention to detail and  "worker hands". Caden always wants to be building, creating or inventing.  Hopefully it pays off for him as well as us someday. Until then Dan and I will continue to attempt to be "patient" with him as he destroys the garage weekly :o)

We had a very nice early December ... the sunshine was awesome! Especially after our smokey fall! The "challenge" of taking "good" pictures of Caden grows greater with each month. 

Picking out our Christmas tree was quite easy.  I'm always baffled with how easy it is with Dan. We usually have a tree picked out within 15 minutes.

Growing up my parents would spend hours looking for that "perfect tree" ... sometimes we would end up at two or three tree lots in one day ... and if we went into the woods to cut it down. Forget it!  It was an all day adventure ... I just don't get it Mom?! :o)

Building "gingerbread house" #1 of 3.

Abe, Marie, Caden & Baby Levi calling Grandpa on Facetime ...

I was lucky to be able to attend Caden's gingerbread house party at school. He was excited for weeks prior that he was going to get to wear his jammies to school. He also got to bring a pillow and they watched the Polar Express. He is growing up so quickly. It is so fun to watch him interact with his friends and ham it up for his teacher (picture @ right his teacher took).  When it was time for me to head back to work I asked him for a hug and he said no, and shy'd away. He's just too cool for Mom.

This past Sunday we headed to Bellevue ... Caden had a Genetics/Orthopedics appointment at Seattle Children's. Of course we made it into a fun adventure. We had a great time meeting up with Reynold's for dinner.  Caden and Grace have such a similar personality ... it's a little scary :o)

After dinner we headed outside to the yucky rain to watch snowflake lane.  Despite the fact that is was pouring, we still had a fun, festive time. Caden actually enjoyed the music this year.

We stayed at the Westin and hit the mall Monday morning before Caden's appointment.  The mall was a zoo on Sunday so it was nice to have it to "ourselves" Monday morning.
Caden didn't want to see Santa, and we didn't push it ... however he was intrigued as to why the reindeer were held up with wires ... in which we told him, so they wouldn't get tired hanging out there all day. I love the five year old's mind :o)

The appointment went well. No concerns. Caden's hand and leg pain haven't gotten worse or better since our last visit ... so no surgical intervention needed at this time. He was very silly for the doctors and kept them quite entertained with his "stories".

The snow has arrived! I'm not sure I'm loving it ... but I will go with it ... and wait patiently for our beautiful spring to arrive!
Caden on the other hand loves the snow! He wants to be out there 24/7 and cant get enough of shoveling. We found a snow shovel (at the grocery store of all places) that is just his size. ... shovel away!

It's tough keeping the energizer bunny occupied over winter break ... we hit up the craft store yesterday for some inside fun!

I hope you are staying warm wherever you are! ~ Happy Holidays!