Wait... This isn't a Printer Christening? Holy Surprise Baby Shower!

Yes, I said Printer Christening, like they do with ships... and yes, that's really what I thought I was walking into last Wednesday.  You see, Natasha, Cortney and I have been in the market for a few months for a new printer for Lota and Co, and I thought we were going to celebrate finally getting one (hence my lack of make-up and all over grungy appearance, because hey, it was just Natasha and Cortney, who should take that as how close I feel to them that I don't care what I look like around them at all)

Any who, I walked up the steps and the first thing I notice was the table, set very fancy with a whole heck of a lot more place setting than three... and yes, honestly, in my head, I was wondering why so many people would want to come celebrate a printer...

Then I notice the super cuteness and the "Sawyer Belle" banner and bassinet of gifts, and it finally sinks in... Holy cannoli, its a surprise baby shower!  I had absolutely no idea, and am so impressed (and little frightened) of how well my friends and husband could lie to me! (exception: my brother who almost ruined it earlier that day, but what can you do?)

Whitney, Natasha, and Cortney did such an amazing job with the cow and heart theme, the ridiculous food (including homemade heart shaped ravioli's, this oddly good roasted cauliflower, and some A-MAzing chocolate desserts).  I can not express how much I appreciate you 3 for thinking of Sawyer and me and being the best friends I could ask for.  And for every one else who got us such cutie gifts and came to celebrate Baby King #2 with me!  I love you all!!! (In fact, I'm tearing up a bit as I write this, because well it was awesome and I'm a bit hormonal, but I'm only tearing up in one eye... different blog for a different day)

Yeah, so cute (and look at that print quality!)

Cortney made these crazy cute cookie favors, which I'm told took soo soo long

The first thing I noticed coming up the steps

So, so good... you don't even know

I really really like getting my picture taken

The most amazing friends in all the land.

Loves for Grandpa Jay

Its been a tough few weeks for my family.  First my Step Grandma Elsie passed away, joining her beloved husband.  While those she left are saddened by their loss, we know she is no longer in pain, physical and emotional caused by her illness, and we are all better for having known her. 

Now, my amazing Grandpa Jay (my dad's dad) is in hospice after suffering a stroke, and my family are by his bedside, saying their good-byes.  One of the hardest parts, is not being there to comfort them and be with them, as I am stuck here in Seattle (literally, I'm in my third trimester and snowed in, so I can't go home).  The best way I can think of comforting them, is to post some memories of my grandpa, as he would like to be remembered.

Most of my memories of my grandfather revolve around golf... he LOVED golf.  I remember he used to take my sister and I golfing with him, really we would take turns driving him around in the golf cart, usually trying to knock the other sister who was standing on the back off of the cart (now that I write this, this does not seem like a safe thing do be doing).  Either way we loved it, and got some early driving skills.

When I was in college, my grandpa got me a job at The Harvester, this golf course near his house that he also worked at.  He did some kind of patrol... I don't even know, and I was a waitress/bartender/caterer/beer cart girl.  If anyone would be jokingly sassy to me... someone would usually pipe in with "Hey... you be nice, that's Jay's granddaughter!"  I always loved the few minutes I'd get chatting with him out on the course, as he was driving his golf cart and I was doing laps in the beer cart.  I even thought it was cute when he'd mistake our time cards because we shared a slot beings we had the same last name.

I love my grandpa, and I will miss him.  I wish I could be home right now with the rest of my family, but I'm also glad I got to see him this last fall, and that he got to hold his great-granddaughter.  I only wish he could meet Sawyer, and the baby my cousin Tillie is currently growing in her belly as well, but wishing isn't going to make him better, all we can do is remember all the great times we had and cherish those memories.  I also know that he is tired of being sick and of hurting, and not being the man he once was, so don't worry about us grandpa, we'll hold down the fort and see ya on the flip side. Love you lots!

Snow Happens...

And when it does... it is shocking and quite inconvenient... but very pretty.  It started snowing on Saturday and we ventured out to church on Sunday, getting there was tricky enough, Harper and I barely made it home it took us about 20 minutes to get the 1 mile, Ryan was not so lucky... His car is down at the bottom of the hill by the main road, he had to walk uphill with his guitar in his chucks yesterday... poor guy.  So we are stuck, the car we do have, can't even get out of the drive.  Luckily we knew it was coming and stocked up on food and firewood, so we are good for awhile.


Harper saw the dogs having so much fun outside yesterday she really wanted to venture out... about 30 minutes later after much bundling we headed out the door... she wasn't as much of a fan as she thought she would be.  She did not like that the snow stuck to her mittens, she HATED when she fell and was sitting in the snow, despite her fancy snowsuit from Grandma Sheila (I was wearing hiking boots and the only winter coat I have that my dad and stepmom got me during parents weekend in 2007, and no, it doesn't button over my belly, we don't have a lot of winter gear here).  Griz on the other hand LOVES the snow... and wants to move to the North Pole.  Anywho, here are some pictures and video for your viewing pleasure.

Watching the first flakes of snow fall...

He is growling at the snow... the weirdo

All bundled up and ready to go!

Not so sure about this stuff

Our tree out front

My snow beast

Not so much a fan of the cold... he's just going to hide until it goes away.

Annnd... she's done with this stuff

Let there be bangs...

Well folks, after months of putting it off, Ryan and I finally decided, after much agonizing, that it was time to cut Harper's hair, for the first time ever!  Pretty much it just came down to the fact that I am in my third trimester now, and no longer found amusing our daily game of mommy chasing Harper around the house with a comb and a hair tie, yelling "Dude get back here!  You can't even see!"  While Harper ran and giggled, because she did find it amusing... extremely so.  (We also do this whenever she is getting her clothes changed because she thinking running around naked is extremely funny... the little streaker)

Anywho, over came the whole Kreitlow family (bonus! who doesn't love getting a little extra time with that amazing and adorable family?!) Quinn was very supportive as HW got her first haircut, I'm sure she was grateful for his support (and his sweet potatoes he shared with her).

Well here it is... Harper's first ever hair cut!!  Thanks Whitney for doing such an amazing job and dealing with our crazy parent nervousness about our kids crazy hair!

The before...

The after...
yes, she looks like an actual kid... a little emo-ed out even.

Christmas Traditions

So my family may have been a little crazy at times, but we knew how to do Christmas when I was little.  All of those silly texans would come up (Hi Aunt Debbie!) and it was pretty much the best ever.  All of the kids (except Eric who was a teen and so much cooler than us) would sleep upstairs and I remember hearing the adults laughing as they did the stockings downstairs, yes I knew they were doing stockings, we believed in Santa and did the big santa gift, but I could always tell what stuff came from who in the stocking, especially what came from Aunt Kathy.  We would wake up early on Christmas and our santa gifts and stockings would be there and then the opening of gifts was many hours long, and so much fun!

I am happy to say that we have brought that back on a smaller scale.  We always spend Christmas at Eric's, with some great family and friends.   Christmas Eve we have dinner, usually do something along the lines of what we are thankful for, read the nativity, give Christmas Eve gifts (pjs), then we go home (we sleep at home and go over early in the morning, because well, I love my dogs, and they shouldn't have to sleep alone on Christmas Eve). We get up early, go back over where Santa left the stockings and Santa gift (I'm pretty tight with the jolly man, he knows where to leave the stuff, this year, I have it on good authority he is getting Harper a Little People Fairy Tree House) We are so excited to have little kids around for Christmas and to feel the excitement and joy and magic all over again!

Yes, my kids will believe in Santa, (at least till some evil 1st grade substitute tells them otherwise, yeah, I'm talking to you Mrs. O!  And it is Dr. Seuss!  Not Dr. Zeussy... put my name on the board for the first and only time for correcting you without raising my hand, what do you expect, you said the most popular child author's name wrong to a bunch of 6 year olds!)  I don't think there's anything wrong with believing in a man who's life's mission is to give to all the children of the world, as long as they never forget the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate this time of year, and why its truly magical.

Any who, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that you are making your own traditions that your children will remember and cherish for the rest of their lives!

Heather, me and Muttly

Grandma Judy

Preschool Christmas pageant... I was a tree

Harper's First Christmas Picture

Harper decorating the tree this year in