Merry Christmas!

From our home to yours, have a Merry Christmas! 

Making the girls rooms!

This past weekend we were snowed in- and didn't leave other than taking Mackenna to gymnastics. It was great to have a weekend at home to relax and knock things off our "baby-coming-list." We started the process of re-configuring our upstairs, moved Mackenna into her new 'big girl room' and started renovating the nursery for Baby D. We are moving around the furniture, painting, and adding some new things in the nursery for her. 

Our home after a foot of snow.

Sunrise this morning over the banks.

Ben framing up M's new bed! The first bed frame and headboard he has made. It came out beautifully.

Starting the new nursery! We made our own paint color concoction out of a few miscellaneous colors we had in the basement, for a color truly custom. It's a tealish grayish blend, a very soft color with a hint of Robyn's egg blue. 

Somewhere in the blurry dark image below, you will see Mackenna sleeping in her new room for the first time last night. She had to have this pink bear with her, and very sweetly said "Daddy made bed." She slept all night in her big girl bed and did great! Hard to believe I'll never see her in a crib again..

Photos of Mackenna's new room and the Baby's nursery to come soon...

School Christmas Concert

M's school held a Christmas concert last night, and Ben and I went to go watch her surprise us with her performance. Unsure of what exactly a 2 year old would do in a concert, we weren't expecting anything! It was very cute, and Mackenna was dressed as a red- nosed reindeer, and rang bells throughout the Christmas carols.

Mackenna and her friend Ethan as the reindeer jingle bell shakers!

Christmas Preparations!

This year we are embracing some holiday traditions and decorations a little more than past years. Although Mackenna doesn't quite get the concept of Christmas yet, she is enjoying learning about it. She loves the lights on the trees she sees everywhere. However, she is fairly adamant that she doesn't want Santa coming over and bringing presents, and she does NOT want anything in her stocking. So I assume she doesn't quite get the concept. In other news, she thinks the perfect place for her new sibling to sleep is... Outside. Oh dear.

Our family's new stockings.

Sunday morning Christmas cookie decorating.

Mackenna's cookies. 

We are suckers for anything "Moose!"

Our Christmas Tree! Mackenna helped decorate for her first time this year. I added the barn star as a topper this year, and think I'll keep that from now on. It looks beautiful in our living room.

Christmas Tree Hunt

I say 'hunt' this year, because we all really had to. We had slim pickings, at least at Staples where we ended up going. But,  Ben and I prevailed. We found the perfect tree! Or as Mackenna says, "Kenna's tree."

Standing in front of our tree! 

We carefully used a chainsaw and "altered" the size once we got it home!

Three Wescott boys.

Sara and Kyle w/ Benelli.

The whole gang.

November

November was a crazy month. A whirlwind. Out of all the months so far in this pregnancy, this one has just flown by. Between hunting, entering the 3rd trimester of our pregnancy, and some major toddler- phase at home, I am ready for a vacation! Maternity leave will have to suffice.

Here are some updates:

• One big November 2013 announcement: Mackenna is potty trained! 90% of the time. We still have the occasional accident. Not too bad for 2 years 2 months, I'd say. I didn't really see this one coming. I was ready to wait until she was 2 1/2 to even attempt it. But than she started showing a lot of interest in the potty, and daycare indicated she was trying it out there as well- so I dove in to the process and haven't looked back since. I started two weekends ago, when Ben went away to hunting camp for a week. It was a tough weekend of a lot of patience and hard work. The following week at daycare started off rough on Monday and ended with no accidents on Friday. Ben and I are so proud of Mackenna, and glad to have the diaper phase of her life behind us. It at least gives us a two- month break from diaper changes. 

• In other news, this past month Mackenna's left ear tube fell out. Within a matter of weeks, she has an ear infection in that ear. We took her into the doctor to have her look at it, after she complained of ear pain. He indicates that we likely will be looking at her needing tubes a second time, depending on how the next few months go. We are hoping not- as bringing her to the hospital and having her go under anesthesia would be even harder for us all at this age than when she was a baby, but time will tell. Ultimately, we will do whatever we have to do to avoid the repetitive ear infections she used to have when the tubes weren't in place. 

And, our month is photos...

Early November park play date with the boys.

Sick day at home with a 24- hour flu.

Looking sweet in pig tails.

Parents night out at Sebago Brewing Company.

Trader Joes shopping trip with Dad!

Our first snow of the season.

Mackenna was so excited that daddy returned from hunting camp after 8 nights away!

The "hunting wives," all gathering for the boys deer cutting after returning from hunting camp.

From left to right: Katelyn, Me, Jenn, Sara, Pam (Pete's Mom) and Cynthia (Pete's sister.)

Jenn busy sealing up the venison.

Checking out the trophy buck.

Mackenna Mouse at camp.

Tea party for two! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

As usual, we spent our Thanksgiving in Bridgton with the Siemen/ Deignan/ Blanchard family at camp. It was a great day of relaxation, delicious food, and family time. 

...and yes, this was the best photo we could get, with a very tired toddler who hadn't napped and is battling an ear infection and cold. As always, I'm thankful for my husband who is patient with any photo- op I ask him to participate in. 

Our little turkey!

Outtake from my attempted cousin photo shoot. Mackenna loved playing with Connor this weekend, and felt like a real big kid.

Setting the table.

This year I made a dairy- free (for Talia) green bean casserole that was really delicious! 

We brined the turkey for the first time this year, soaking it in the brine the night before Thanksgiving- and that was a HIT! Everyone said it was the best turkey they have had.

The turkey centerpiece Mackenna made for the table.

I'm thankful for so many things in my life, and it changes year to year what I am most thankful for. But starting this year, I know one thing I am grateful for will never change. My two girls.