One Cool Christmas Gift

So many fun new things to play with after Christmas, but this is today's favorite: The Night Before Christmas narrated by Great Grandma Freeman via a recorder inside the book. Pretty cool. Thanks Gigi! The kids love listening to your voice.

We Miss These Guys

The best part of Christmas is having people sleeping in every corner of your house, a full fridge and time spent eating and drinking and playing with the people you love. I'm definitely experiencing a little post-Chritmas woe over here. The house it too quiet. We miss these guys!

PS. The resemblence here, although in part due to similar eyeglass frames, is a bit scary. My Grandma Mimi was trying to get Kelcey to take pictures with my Mom all night because she thought he was my Dad. In her defence, look above. Two good lookin' dudes if you ask me. :)

Santa's Workshop Closed for Business until 2010

Phew.

Here's to You Santa

Christmas PJs

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Hey!

Santa is on his way and let me tell you, he's been working like a DOG. And not like our lazy dog who just lays on the carpet of the warmest room in the house, more like one of those iditarod dogs from animal planet's amazing 'dog' race. Thank God for eggnog.

Walsh Family Christmas and the Nike Grab Bag

We got together with my Mom's (Walsh) family for Christmas this week. My uncle has worked for Nike since about forever and a tradition that has been many years running (get it?) is the Nike Christmas Grab Bag. I am a serious fan of this tradition. This year was hat themed. Thanks Mike! And thanks to Jessica for hosting all our crazy crew.

"Bestest Friend"

These two can be so sweet to one another. Here's to a new year full of moments like these. Henry and his "bestest friend", Will.

Reading Corners

This is the reason for a reading corner. Someone will find it and make themselves comfortable all by themselves and enjoy sitting alone in peace with a good book. Wish I had time to do the same Luce, but I love to see you reading.

Zoo for Two

Or three if I count. We braved the cold at Point D. today and were the only members in attendance. Empty parking lot upon arrival at 9:30 and when departing at 11:00 we saw one other car driving in. We had so much fun. I will likely remember to do this again. With a few exhibits inside, it really wasn't all that cold and those $2 kid gloves that Fred Meyer sells have bought me more time outdoors than I could ever have imagined.

Santa's Lap '09 - 1 for 2

John's Co. (Port Blakely) throws the most fun kid's Christmas party. We've been in attendance for as many years as we have "qualified". This year on Santa's lap, we were 1 for 2.

"The Best Christmas Ever"

My Mom has always been a little manic about Christmas, but we love her for that. Three months leading up to the day, we heard a lot of "maybe for Christmas" which had replaced the usual, "don't be a wanting bag" and a month of, "isn't this just the best Christmas ever?" Well, I am my mother I guess...and proud of it!

I've had a lot of good Christmases, but since the kids have been born, really every year has felt like the best Christmas ever, and not even two weeks away, it really has been the best Christmas ever over here!

And it Begins

I love this first week of December...thoughts of decorating, cookie making and gift giving are all a flutter over here. Henry's Advent Wreath to start things off!