pleezz...

I am sure everyone has seen those sappy jewelry commercials during Christmas time... well, I get a big kick out of them because the women in the commercials are portrayed as such idiots!! Anyways, I was feeding Carson and watching one of the commercials, when the commercial was over I said "oh please!" and Carson started cracking up laughing. He kept laughing for literally 10 minutes everytime I would say "oh please!" I just caught the end of it- but it's pretty funny:

Christmas

Here's a couple pictures and videos to share of Carson's first Christmas:

Carson had so much fun unwrapping presents and eating the paper and boxes!! Santa brought Carson lots of fun gifts... he is officially spoiled from both sets of grandparents :)

Steve, Miranda and I were lucky enough to get to go snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor on Christmas eve, it was the first time I have been for almost 2 years since I was pregnant last year. We had so much fun!!

Uggh!!

So, as if the Christmas season hussle and bussle isn't stressful enough, we have definately added to it this year!! We have decided to take our house off the market and attempt to rent it out. We made this decision for a few reasons. The first being that it could be a great long term investment, the second is that we found the house of our dreams in Washington. It's on a hill that overlooks the Columbia River and has cherry hardwood floors, granite counter tops, floor to celing windows and is layed out like a lake house!! We love everything about the house- especially the deal we could potentially get if everything goes as planned!
Needless to say, we have been pretty stressed out lately! This morning Steve woke up telling me about an expense he forgot to mention last night and I looked at the clock- it was 7 am. I told him it was way too early to start with the house talk... but unfortunatley it is consuming us right now.
I am so thankful for all of our many blessings and I have faith that what is meant to be will be... I just wish it would "be" soon :)

Zoo Lights!!

We took Carson and ventured out to the zoo to check out the Christmas lights. Steve and I had a "discussion" before we left on whether Carson would appreciate the lights or not. I, of course said that he would love it!! Carson decided to prove me wrong :( He loved the lights for the first 15 minutes, after that he wanted to go home and sleep. So, we bundled him up in his stroller and let him sleep through the fun. We rode the train and saw some really neat lights including elephants, alligators, and monkeys all made from lights!

So, all the "books" say this is the time to start teaching your child "no" (8 to 9 months). This is hard for me because up until now, Carson hasn't done anything to deserve a "no." Lately, he has been testing me! Today I decided to try it out, he was going straight for the computer cord to put it in his mouth... I sternly looked Carson in the eye and said "Carson, NO" he looked at me and cracked up laughing! Well, that went well!! Later, he was being impossible to dress by trying to turn over while I change him, so once again I looked at him and turned him back on his back and said "NO".... once again he looked at me and cracked up laughing!!! GREAT! I am already beaten down by my child :)

Last but not least, I did get the ER job!! YAY! (I think) So, I will start at the end of January. I am pretty excited to be in the ER, I have always been interested in the "emergency" aspect of nursing with the blood and intensity! I am just not too excited about being at work 40 hours per week -yuck!

Christmas pictures

Holly came over this week to help us with some family pictures for our Christmas cards (cutting it close- I know). They turned out pretty cute, even though Carson refused to cooperate. Everytime the camera was close to him, he would close his eyes and scrunch up his face. Here's a couple pics to share:

We got into the Christmas spirit this week and also picked out a Christmas tree. Grandma Caudle was staying with us for a couple weeks so she came with us to find our tree. It was actually snowing when we went, but since it's Portland it didn't stick :(

I had a job interview today for an emergency room position at SW medical center in Vancouver. I am pretty excited about it. It would be a two year commitment for full time which is not the greatest... but it is right down the street from Grandma Gail!!

Keep in touch!! We miss everyone- hopefully I will get the Christmas cards out soon :)