The Ricks family Christmas tree 2018

It was time for our annual Christmas tree hunt! We went to the same area we went the previous year and were surprised to see snow! We didn't have any snow at home, so it was a lot of fun. We just wished we had brought our sleds.

We drove to several different spots in search of our tree. We found a lot that were good, but not quite as tall as we were hoping for, or else they were the wrong species of tree that you aren't supposed to cut down. It took us longer than usual to find one this year, and I was actually sort of getting worried we might not find one. Jackson and I decided to hike up a hill off of the road and ended up finding a couple of good options. As we were hiking back up to show Sean a tree, we came across another one that we officially deemed to be "the one."

It was fun having Charlie with us this year. He loved the snow!

The boys were so helpful with the tree this year. Jackson helped Sean carry the tree down the hill to the car and Bode carried the chainsaw. 

While we worked on getting the tree loaded onto the car, the kids had fun playing in the snow and making a makeshift sled out of the tarp we had brought for the tree. 

Loaded up and ready to go!

We got the tree all set up and decorated when we got home from Idaho for Thanksgiving. It turned out so beautiful! 

The kids' new ornaments this year:

Lava flows!

 I love the feeling our fresh cut tree brings to our home!

Davis's 5th birthday

Davis is 5! We celebrated him the whole day and I think he had a great birthday. 

He decided he wanted a birthday party at Kangaroo Zoo. It's strange because it didn't seem like that long ago we were having Jackson's birthday party there when he was even younger! Davis had lots of friends come and they all went wild running around and jumping on the inflatables. It was great because Sean and I just sat in some recliners in the corner and let the kids go at it!

We took a short break for presents and cake. Davis chose a Pokemon cake this year. 

His friends took home a bag with a box of Mike 'n Ikes, a slap bracelet, and a sticky frog.

After his party, he chose dinner at Habit Burger and we headed home to open the rest of his presents. He was really excited about this Mario Monopoly game. 

Here is his annual questionnaire, with him writing his very own name at the top this year :)

We love this birthday boy and the joy he adds to our family!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving with both families in Idaho! By the time we actually got on the road to go, I think we were all pretty exhausted and looking forward to having a few days of relaxing, good food, and family!

We boarded Charlie while we were gone, and it was fun watching him on the video camera to see what he was up to!

Ice cream at Reed's Dairy with my side of the family

And then ice cream at our brother-in-law's pharmacy the next day with the Rickses! They redid their soda fountain and it is so much fun!

Marching on to Davis's birthday and Christmas!

Halloween

Another Halloween come and gone and it was a good one! 

2018's pumpkins:

I dressed up as "Deb" from Napoleon Dynamite for Halloween bunco this year. I taught myself how to make boondoggle keychains on our drive to California to help complete the outfit! 

I also dressed up in Jackson's old Whoopie Cushion costume Halloween morning for a run with my running friends! :)

Halloween parade at school!

This year's costumes:

Napoleon Dynamite

Santa

Storm trooper

And Minnie Mouse

Charlie was even festive as a Beanie Baby

If you opened his tag it even had his name inside. :)

We did our annual chili dinner with some friends before trick-or-treating. The kids had a great time going around the neighborhood and they got a TON of candy (to add to the already ridiculous amounts they got trick-or-treating in Disneyland).

I loved walking around with the little kids and ran into Jackson and Bode with their friends as we were going around. I am so glad to live in such a fun neighborhood where my kids have lots of friends around!