Such a handsome doober!

First Christmas

Since we were going to be in Florida for Christmas, and we didn't want to fly presents there, we celebrated First Christmas on December 8th, so that we could do it with Russell's parents and Michelle. The kids were so excited!

They opened up Christmas pajamas first, then they got to take turns opening presents.

Everyone had books to open of course. Books are my shopping weakness!

Hyrum was in heaven with his transformers from his parents and super heroes and super hero outfit from Grandma and Grandpa.

Brielle is showing us the "excited face."

A squinky-holding cupcake! Just what we wanted!

Clara received a baby stroller from her parents, and a tiny baby and a stuffed duckling from her Grandparents. (plus an adorable outfit!) Clara loves that duckling so much, she won't sleep without it now! And she prefers her small baby over all the other babies. (Apparently smaller is better when it comes to baby dolls!)

Still getting the hang of the stroller!

Awesome super hero apparel!

The kids were thrilled to have two Christmases this year! We're so glad that Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Michelle could come and spend this time with us!

Seattle Children's Museum

We went to the Seattle Children's museum with Russell's parents and Michelle.  We had never been there before and it was a lot of fun!

Inside a whale.

Driving in the little parking area.  They had several little tyke cars, and then street lines, a gas station, and a parking lot.  Both Clara and Hyrum loved that.

The absolute FAVORITE room was the Grocery Store.  It was set up just like a real store, and the children could put fruits, vegetables, canned foods, breads, meats, dairy, etc in their carts, then they would go check out at the register.

Aunt Michelle is an awesome cash register attendant!

Hyrum loved the construction room as well.  Grandma and Grandpa helped him build, which is great since his Mom is terrible at that sort of thing!

Clocking out!

I liked the Mexican restaurant too.  Very authentic.  =0)

And then they had the Global Village which showcases three countries.  It had homes and shops from Ghana, Japan, and the Philippines.  I liked the Sushi shop.

There were several other rooms as well, Brielle's favorite after the grocery store, was the Artist Studio.  She painted a couple masterpieces and made some clay treasures too.  It was a fun place, we'll have to go back sometime!

Gingerbread houses

 Every year we go to the Sheraton Hotel in Seattle to see the Gingerbread houses.  This year we were lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa Streadbeck with us, and our favorite Aunt Michelle!  The theme for the gingerbread displays was trains and train stations.

 I love how intricate they are, and my children love identifying the different types of candy that were used to make the structures and details.

This one is a train station in Australia, I love that kangaroos are pulling Santa's sleigh!

Leavenworth

Russell's parents and sister came to visit us in the beginning of December.  The first thing we did after they got off the airplane was to take them to Leavenworth.  Leavenworth is a small Bavarian village 2 hours away from us.

The town was having a Lighting Festival.  Here's Grandma and Grandpa down town in Leavenworth.  Quite the temperature change from California!

An angel painted angel dust on Brielle's cheeks.

Next year we'll make snow-globe hats like these fellows.  There were about 20 people there with home-made snow-globe hats.  You don't get more festive than that!

Little bit cold!

And now the lights are lit!

Meeting Santa!

The Squeaky Shoes

I wasn't thinking about my daughter's footwear when I dressed her on Saturday to take her with me to the Dog Show. We wandered around for an hour, watching Collies and Samoyeds, and Bouvier des Flandres without incident. And then, while watching the Golden Retrievers in the conformation ring, I let Clara out of her stroller. Within two steps of her squeaky-shoes, every Golden's head had whipped around to stare in her direction and every tail began wagging furiously. I could just hear their thoughts, like in the movie "Up", shouting "Toy? Toy! TOY!"
=0)

"Holy Mini Van, Robin!"

"How's this baby on gas mileage? "

" I'm not going to lie to ya, there's times when I miss the grappling hooks and the heat-seeking missiles, but you can't beat this thing for getting the groceries home."

"Is that a seat warmer?  Awesome!"

Hyrum likes putting his action figures into vehicles.  So far he isn't very picky about WHICH vehicle they go into.

Ladders

We haven't had the bunk bed ladder in place for several months, because the children would kick it from the bottom and break the ladder and scratch the wood.  The other day Russ put it back on, and within minutes Clara had climbed up to the top bunk!  She's never climbed a ladder before, and she's normally pretty cautious, so I was very surprised.  Now the ladder has been retired again.  Maybe we'll pull it out in a few more months, when she's a little more steady and less prone to falling.  =0)

*Disclaimer: The kids' room isn't always this messy.  Often.  But not always.

Halloween Tinkerbell

 Clara was a darling little Tinkerbell for Halloween.  She was so cute!

 She didn't like the flower garland however, and quickly removed it each time I placed it on her head.