Into our new year..

Caraline is our joy these days! She loves loves our attention and will laugh, smile, and coo in response. I spend hours with her after the boys are asleep, playing peek-a-boo and hearing her giggle. It is SOO fun!

Don't be fooled though, her gas has potential to clear a room. It is baaadd.

While emptying out the dishwasher one day, Brycen decided we would picnic for dinner. And I entertained his idea. He added the flowers and name cards, it was pretty neat.

After having Brycen home to play with for the last few weeks, Cian is not sure what to do without him. Party on Mommy's lap!

Our newest Sunbeam! He did so so awesome. After boycotting Nursery the entire time he was in there, who would've known that he would LOVE Primary??

Our baby girl on New Year's Day.

Our New Year's Party was pretty wild!

We took down on beloved Christmas Tree but not before Caraline spent one more time in her favorite spot looking up at the lights. And getting tickled with a toy drill. Ahhh, to have older brothers.

FHE going bowling.

Brycen would love to go every night.

Back before Christmas, we did make it to the zoo again! This time, with cousins.

And our train ride. We only waited 45 minutes!!

But it was worth it.

In other Oregon living news: How am I holding up with the rain??? I love it (my vitamin D supplements have in doubt kept me in good spirits :). The mild temperatures (high 40s to mid 50s) totally make up for it, especially with a young baby. And yes, we may have 2 days in a row of rain but then we have 3 days of sunshine.

Portland, Oregon Temple

  It really hasn't been bad. And all the Oregonians tell me to just wait until March/April when the rain comes non-stop. So, check back often. But until then, you can find us at the park. Yesterday, it was 58 degrees, sunny and gorgeous. Today, looks rather similar.

To all my frozen friends out in Indiana. Yes, I check your weather and think of you often. Last night, it was -11 (weather.com said that it felt like -26) degrees there, when I was going to bed here. Oh man, it started some terrible flashbacks to last winter. I'm so sorry. Keep warm. Thank you for making my rain seem (extra) beautiful!

As in the house hunting category: The one we put an offer on back in November but was already sale pending, fell through. We have resubmitted our offer and it has been accepted. If all else goes well, we move in next month! It is all just a bit excitingly stressful.

Our Warm Get-A-Way!

Caraline took her first airplane ride to Phoenix, AZ for her first Christmas! We took the last direct flight of the day (8:45pm, the Saturday before Christmas) and we were able to have 2 rows to ourselves. Southwest Airlines let me bring Caraline's carseat on the flight since there were extra seats and it was AWESOME! Caraline slept 3/4s of the flight and the boys, well, they LOVE flying so we had no issues from them. We took another direct, last flight of the day on the way back but didn't have as much luck with the extra seats. The kids still did amazing though. And it always beats car travel. ^Caraline with her Grandpa Shields

Christmas Day. (these pictures are not in any order) Carline's smiles, giggles, and coos are non stop these days.What a wonderful phase. The AZ trip included everyone in my family, getting together. It was so wonderful!  And Mike and Jenn did an amazing job hosting it all. We loved our time there. So. much. *see family pictures below*

Meza, AZ temple lights.

With Uncle Dallin. He has ALWAYS been a favorite.

^In the temple visitor center. I love love love this picture.

Isn't my niece a doll??

All 5 Shields Grandkids (love the hand holding). My baby brothers may never outgrow the kid category :) And I am totally regretting opening that miniature candy cane for Brycen just moments before this picture was taken!!

Caraline met so many new people.

Gingerbread House Making.

And the first (and last?) Polar Plunge on Christmas Day. May I never have to take part. BTW,If the discussion ever arises in the future, our host--Mike--WAS the first one in the water.

 

Please notice, my Dad (next to Bryce) had absolutely no intention of jumping in with the others.

And Bryce went threw the motions long enough to laugh at the others.

But he pulled through.We are estimating that the water was around 60 degrees (the others were looking for pennies).

AND THEN MY DAD JUMPED IN!! Growing up, I never saw him jump in any water of any kind, and if he did get in (water, that is) it was in hot tub form only. When all the men were trying to convince eachother to jump in that morning, Bryce pulled the card, "I will, if Scott will". Bryce thought that was the for sure way to get out of it! And now...we aren't sure what to think...it was C.R.A.Z.Y!
Not pictured: 
Backyard volleyball! It was my first chance playing since having Caraline and it felt great! Gotta love AZ winters.

Jenn and I escaped the morning after Christmas to go see Mockingjay Part 1 in theatres. We loved the movie and the time away, kid-free! As to why the last book in series are being split into 2 movies, don't even get me started...

And so many other memories. We made cookies, watched movies, played board games, opened and gave gifts, sang, laughed, and of course, cooked lots and ate lots. I enjoyed it so much. A truly, Merry Christmas.


**Family Pictures

We spent the Tuesday before Christmas, visiting my brother, Josh and his wife, Laura in Tucson, AZ. And with the use of Laura's camera, took some pictures. ^The original family of 8. Next Christmas, the baby, Dallin, will most likely be on a 2 year mission for our church.

With everyone. 4 spouses, 5 grandkids and one more on the way! (Mike and Jenn's, no announcement from me!)

^And I absolutely love the ones Laura took of my little family.

Cian loves to do this interesting underbite smile.

My 5 year old, his glasses, blue eyes, and red hair. A favorite picture for sure!

My not-blue-eyed 3 year old. Not sure what color they are, but they are gorgeous! And...

I could slap Isaiah for that photobomb. Goodness!

For being woken up from a nap and hungry, Caraline really did amazing for pictures.

All 5 of us.

Thanksgiving Week and Beyond.

Our baby girl turned 8 weeks old last Thursday!

Such a dream baby.

Around dinnertime, she gets tired but does not like to be laid down. I love her little pinky around my favorite necklace.

I finally let my big helper carry her. Oh, he loved it.

2 days before Thanksgiving, Brycen had an eye appointment (as per request from his school). Brycen loves all doctor and dentist visits (he's a bit crazy), so he was pretty excited and we found out that he needed glasses for being farsighted in one eye--there is potential to not need them in a few years if his eye gets stronger. The eye doctor could not believe that Brycen was only 5. He sat perfectly still and did just as she requested. If I hadn't seen it myself, I'm not sure I would've believed it. He is a great kid but he has his fair share of choosing to not listen at home.

The Portland Zoo is pretty sweet. We became members in October because one visit would cost $30 or we could get a year pass for just over $100, including the zoo lights.

The day before Thanksgiving was member only night. And it was 55 degrees out, a pretty gorgeous night. We almost didn't remember in time (see reason below) so we were only there the last hour. The train was pulled by an actually steam engine and had an equally impressive long line to ride it. *side note: Brycen weaseled Cian out of his stroller seat by telling him that he could sit on his lap. It lasted about 30 seconds, but was super cute.*

A wall of lights...

And tunnel. So fun.

We have plans to go again! And make it in time to take the train. Cian can not wait!

Also the day before Thanksgiving, we met with our realtor to put an offer in on a house. After the 2 hour meeting during so, we celebrated with melt-in-your-mouth, super delicious "Hot Now" donuts from Krispy Kreme.

The boys loved watching the process.

Don't get too excited though, by the time we were on our way home, we found out that the house we had put an offer in, had accepted an offer just two hours prior. All the house chaos and bummerness made me forget all about the zoo lights that I had planned on that night. But I remembered after driving all the way home. Our realtor's and Krispy Kreme are 5 minutes away from the zoo. Our home is 25....

Bryce and the boys' Thanksgiving masterpiece. We enjoyed the wonderful holiday with Bryce's family.

The week wore me out so I literally slept Black Friday away with Caraline. Which was kinda sad because we normally set up our tree on Black Friday. However, Saturday morning came and everyone was feeling better so we set out to find our first real tree. On the way to the tree farm, it poured but in the location where we were shopping, the rain had passed and the sun came out--pretty perfect.

Ever since we found our rental house (back in June) and Bryce saw the tall ceilings, he dreamed of a big Christmas Tree. Caraline nicely slept through the tree hunt but since she was in her carseat and Cian wanted to be carried through the muddy areas, I told Bryce that he could have any tree that he could carry (all trees were the same price of $15). Technically, the tree farm had helpers to help carry and cut but we all have our stubborn and independent moments. Some more than others :)

We settled on a 9 ft beauty with a relativity small trunk (thus, a lighter load). Our wonderful decision skills seriously shined as when we arrived, we were the only ones and about 15 families came and went before we found ours. And then Brycen had to go potty. At a place that had no public bathrooms. It was awesome.

Brycen was the instigator of the weekend. Ever since a boy in a class said that they cut down their own tree, Brycen begged to do the same.

Our tree was about as far away from the van as you can get. Bryce may rethink his independence next year.

I sure love sleeping kids. After our $15 tree purchase, the kids crashed on the way home and then we stopped at Home Depot for a tree stand and extra lights. $100 later....

We decorated. Cian assigned himself as the ornament hooker put-er on-er. The perfect job for him except that he made us say, "Trick or Treat" in order to get one.

I always find putting up Christmas decorations to be a ton of work but I also always enjoy the outcome. And the real tree was really a neat experience that we will for sure do again.

Merry Christmas!!