Christmas in the Northwest

Did I mention I was a slacker? I send out an email to everyone and their dog about my blog and how many weeks go by before I post again? Too many....I apologize.

This year Chris and I got an artificial tree and it was up and decorated before December 1st. That's the earliest I've ever had it up in my entire life. My family alway had a real tree and the tradition was to drive to the nearest tree farm, usually the 2nd weekend in December, to cut down a Christmas tree. My mom was always in search of the perfect tree. When she found one she liked, she'd leave one of us kids standing by it in hopes of finding something a little better. After she finally decided my dad would cut it down, tie it to the roof of the van, and we'd drive home to have hot chocolate. I haven't done that in many, many years. The last two years Chris and I have been married we've just gone to a lot and picked one out. Our first Christmas we lived in Bothell across the street from Home Depot we walked over and carried our tree home. It was pretty sweet. The reason we didn't do that this year is we think Chris is allergic. I know, we live in the "Evergreen State", but we don't have trees in our houses so the pine isn't as strong. Chris seemed to always have cold-like symptoms all through the holidays so I got to thinking it had to be the tree. I wanted a healthy husband this year so I gave in and we bought a "fake" tree. Surprisingly, I actually think it's really nice. And there hasn't been a sniffle or a cough from Chris so far. It looks like I was right!

Besides our tree, we do have our fireplace decorated. Our stockings aren't "hung by the chimney with care...", but I've sat them with care is just as good. Once Santa visits, they'll be too full to hang anyway so it works for us.

I always think, "Next year I'm going to be on top of all my shopping, card making, and baking", but it seems the holidays come to quickly and I'm never ready. I did get my cards out, but I haven't baked a thing, and my shopping hasn't hardly begun. I still have more than a week left so I still have some time.

It's a boy!

We couldn't be more excited! Now we can say "he" instead of "the baby".

It was so amazing to see the little guy moving around...he was so cute. We got to see him opening and closing his mouth as well as the arms and legs moving about. If he moves as much when he's out as he does while he's in I'm going to be one busy mom. He's starting to kick me in the bladder which makes me moving a lot more with my frequent trips to the bathroom.

My doctor changed my due date to March 29th which works for me. I'm sure by then I'll be ready with whenever.

Chris and I haven't gotten a thing until we knew what we were having. On with the baby shopping! If you need Christmas ideas...baby things are needed. You might want to get Chris a little something extra since he'll feel jipped (treats usually do the trick).

Well, I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving. We forgot the camera so I didn't get to take any pictures. I will tell you Chris and I woke up and were out the door at 4am, Thursday, for the drive to Umatilla, OR, for the weekend. Then, we were up and out the door at 4am for "Black Friday" so we could head up to tri-cities for shopping. There were some amazing deals, but I didn't take too much advantage. It's sad to say I'm never ready with my Christmas lists that early. I've got to get started on my Christmas cards still. I can't believe the holiday is already upon us. Maybe next year I'll be done with my shopping by Thanksgiving and all I'll do during the month of December is bake goodies.

Hello world! ...

We have decided to start a blog to keep our family and friends up-to-date. Since we aren't super great on e-mails and live far away from some of you, this is the best thing to find out what we are up to. Plus, you get the advantage of photos! It might not always be exciting, but we do hope you are entertained most of the time.

That said, the most interesting thing going on in the Walchli life is my pregnancy. I'm half a week away from hitting my five month mark. Hooray! Sorry, I don't know what I'm having yet. My next doctor visit is the day before Thanksgiving, however, his office doesn't do the ultra-sound so I have to make a separate appointment somewhere else. I've waited this long for a baby...what's another week or two, really?