More Christmas Cheer

Still fully in the holiday spirit, I thought I'd catch you up on more.  Nicholas favorite movie, Christmas character, and song this year happens to be Rudolph.  You should hear how loudly he sings the song!  Christian happened to make a reindeer at the art sensory class we go to, and I knew as soon as Nicholas got home from school and saw it that he would want to make one too.  Luckily, the teacher gave me an extra nose and set of eyes so that Nicholas could make one.  I should probably go to the craft store and keep things like this on hand, as Nicholas has been a little crafter lately.  

Nicholas' Ruldolph involved a foot and hand print.  Nicholas enjoyed getting his feet tickled with paint.

Next, his hand.

Add some sparkles...

So proud, and as you can see, a full body experience.  Nicholas is trying to master the open eyed smile!  

Here's Christian's version.  He picked a green nose.  I actually like his better because of his wide hands and feet.  Cute idea!

Garden of Lights show at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens

So festive and fun for the kids!

Well, Santa has sent the boys there messages from the North Pole again this year.  Nicholas asks to see both he and Christian's every day.  I feel a bit guilty, but I have two versions for Nicholas, a nice and naughty version.  I have not had to use the naughty version yet, but have it in my back pocket just in case!

Click here for Nicholas' message from Santa.


Click here for Christian's message from Santa

Click here for Nicholas' naught version.

Tis' the Season!

 

Christmas preparations and seasonal activities are well under way here at our house!  Nicholas' joy and excitement are contagious! So far our month has included a trip to the Christmas tree farm, a visit from Uncle Christian, a day of skiing, and decorating the gingerbread house. I have never seen a kid so delighted to decorate a Christmas tree or a gingerbread house, so fun!  Nicholas has been smiling and laughing all the way, "Ha Ha Ha!"

Nicholas and his friend Izzie make antlers at our city's tree lighting.

The boys in the wagon on the way to pick a tree!

What fun, we get a ride from Uncle Christian!

Thumbs up to this tree!

Family shot in front of "our tree."

Daddy cuts it down as the boys watch.

Uncle Christian and Nicholas standing next to the freshly cut tree!

Helping Daddy

What a helper!

I'm S T R O N G ! ! 

Nicholas showing off the decorated tree and his favorite ornament.

Christian getting ready for some fun in the snow.  He got to go snow tubing while big brother went skiing.

My first time skiing since before having Nicholas.  Chris and I were able to trade off little Christian so that we could both get in a few runs with my brother.

Uncle Christian getting ready for his first run down the mountain.

Nicholas practicing his ski stance on what the resort called "the magic carpet ride."  He took a one hour lesson and loved it!  I think he was really proud of himself.

Nicholas and Daddy at the conclusion of his lesson.  He still has a big smile on his face!

Nicholas and Daddy decorating the gingerbread house.    Nicholas has asked at least two dozen times when we can eat it, but Santa eats it, of course!

The finished gingerbread house.

I was able to catch the last 10 minutes of Nicholas' lesson.  I was impressed by his confidence!  Here are two videos from the last few minutes.  The first he collides right into another adult.  It was rather funny to see the adults slip sliding on the bunny hill.

The second is a bit shaky as I was walking with my ski boots on.

More of Fall 2011

Teach a child to play solitaire, and she'll be able to entertain herself when there's no one around. Teach her tennis, and she'll know what to do when she's on a court. But raise her to feel comfortable in nature, and the whole planet is her home.

~Joyce Maynard

Learning

Discovering

Admiring

Enjoying

In awe

Playing on nature's slide

Fall is a perfect time for us to spend outdoors! The pictures above are from a hike we took a few weeks ago to Twin Falls.

As you all know, Chris' favorite pass time is fishing. I hope this passion is something he will instill in Nicholas and Christian!

Ruby and Tessa came up and spent a few days with us, Nicholas was so happy to be reunited with his hiking buddys!

What do we do on our rainy days in Seattle?

Oh, we manage...with lots of fun!

Happy Fall, y'all!

Happy Birthday Dear Mimi!

We wanted to wish Mimi a happy birthday. While we couldn't be with you today, we are so glad to have gotten to see you a couple of weeks ago!

Any reason to sing and have cake, Nicholas loved celebrating Meem's birthday a few weeks early!!

We all had such a good time!

While Mimi was out here she saw that Nicholas did not have an Eagles Jersey that fit this year, and yes, we as a family dress in Eagles gear every game. Notice what he has been wearing this year in the picture below.

A little big in Dad's old jersey.

Game Day!

So, what do you know, we get a gift from Mimi on her birthday...hey, how did that happen?!

He's so proud in his new jersey. We even showed up to the park this afternoon and he shouted in excitement to his friends, "Look at my Eagles jersey!" Now he's ready for the next game, as he has been asking all week if he can watch the Eagles game again! Now, let's just hope this brings them a little luck!

Thanks Mimi! We love you and miss you!