Good Old Fashioned Family Christmas

We were somehow able to cajole our family into coming our way for Christmas again this year. It was tenuous, given that B's youngest sister had recently moved to New York and his other sister was facing a 5-hour drive with three children (new addition just 3 months old). In the end, they decided it was worth it, so we prepared ourselves for a houseful of guests, lots of cooking and eating, and kiddos running all around.

One sunny afternoon, we headed out to the ski hill (shhhh) for a tree. Kye fell asleep in my arms, mid-hill, so I carried him down the slope, limp and dead-weight.

Charlie Brown tree, as usual

On another of those cold, sunny days, we decided to try for a family photo out at Gold Creek Pond. It was a funny endeavor. I held Kye in a blanket with a warm hat on his head, while Brandon set up the camera on a timer. As he ran to us with the camera blinking, I threw the blanket and hat, smoothed Kye's hair, and then we all smiled for the shot. It's not perfect, but here was our best attempt at the traditional family photo.

Our guests didn't arrive until mid-afternoon Christmas day, so we woke up with Kye and took him down to the tree. After acknowledging his gift from Santa (new skis!), he was more interested in cuddling with Scrappy.

It has been a dismal winter here at Snoqualmie Pass. A couple days before Christmas, however, we got a light dusting of snow. It stayed cold and powdery, so I got my first ski in on Christmas morning. There isn't enough snow on the face to cover the rocks and trees, so I skied down the road. Although it wasn't exciting, awesome skiing, it felt great to float down the soft powder. 

 Here was my view

When I got back from skiing, the house was full, and thus began the opening of presents, cooking, eating, and eating some more. 

The Rody was a favorite gift.

Grandpa Dale and Kye

Another awesome toy: a big, noisy train track.

One round of guests left and another arrived late that night. The day after Christmas, we celebrated again with more cooking and eating and presents. We got outside to play in the snow a bit too.

Baby Aven and Calder

Kye is a skier! :)

Kye and Calder 'sledding' on the ice crud

Kye, Pekay, and Calder

Kye enjoyed his time with his cousins. Every now and then, you'd see him leave the play area, grab a book, and take it to someone to read to him. Apparently, he's a little like his mom and dad and needs some quiet time now & then.

Reading with Grandpa Don

and here with cousin Pekay

Advent

Advent is a season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is also a time, for Christians, to anticipate His return.  

In our home, we celebrate the Advent season by focusing on our blessings, ending the season with thanks for Jesus' birth. This tradition came about as neither of us were thrilled with the Advent calendar, where you open a door to receive a chocolate or ornament. We also felt that Thanksgiving came and went every year without acknowledgment of thankfulness. And so, we started the Gratitude Tree.

Every day, we write what we are grateful for that day. We slip the paper into a felt envelope for that day, hanging from the tree. At the end of the season, we take the cards out and put them away. The following Thanksgiving, we pull them out and read what we were grateful for the previous year.

This Advent, what are you grateful for? We have much to be grateful for and it's nice to reflect on that rather than the complaints and worries that tend to fill our heads.

Kiddo pics and update

It's been a while since we've posted anything so here's a quick update:

 We took Kye to the climbing gym, he seemed to enjoy all the colorful holds and the kid's area

 "The purple face is in....come on you got it!" -Kye giving route beta

 Not enough snow for skiing yet, but still got out and enjoyed a sunny week in November

 Saucer boy

 We somehow managed to not take a single picture of Thanksgiving at Heather's dad's place in Idaho(guess that means we actually unplugged somewhat!), but did manage a cute cousins picture at Tara and Josh's on our way home.

 Weekly weekend waffles

 Heather and I went on a date to see the Christmas Carol play in Seattle recently for my birthday, the Finnigan's were awesome and babysat Kye, which he seemed to enjoy very much based on the pictures Jamie sent us.  Above photo, notice matching patagucci jackets, very nice.

 These pictures are so cool...these two appear to be in cahoots, maybe the start of many adventures

Callum:"yeah, faster dad" Kye:"whooaaaaa!"

Welcome to Winter

Kye and I woke up to some snow this morning. After a tasty breakfast of waffles, I bundled him up and took him outside to play in the snow.

His boots are too big so he can't walk well. His mittens are also too big so he can't use his hands or fingers. And he needed a nap. These three factors made playing in the snow not-so-fun. He pretty much fell over with each step and then wallowed in the snow and couldn't get up. Mean mommy took pictures of the misery. :)

After we walked around awhile, he thought it was fun. You can't tell in this pic 

but I promise he is now smiling. 

Happy Halloween

A bit creepy with me in the shot 

but I could get a better, more still pic of Kye this way. ;)

A Few Days

"Um, where are my skis?"

"Where's your belly button, Kye?", says Momma

 "I found it!" :)

 Playing in the yard in new outfit and shoes.

Checking out Gold Creek Pond, before the snow comes.

Day's end, tired, Kye buries himself under his books.

September Came Late

In the Northwest, September is a necessary month of transition, when you prepare yourself for months of cold, dark, and wet. So when it rained for most of September and the fall colors didn't change over, I felt a bit depressed, knowing we were already in the cold, dark, and wet months; we had missed our chance to say 'goodbye' to summer and sun.

Then October came and it has been stunning. I am now ready to embrace winter, having spent the last few weekends hiking, climbing, and playing in the crisp fall weather. Here are some pics from our recent adventures, big & small. First, a trip to the pier in Seattle to visit the Aquarium.

 Kye feeds the seagulls @ Ivar's.

We hiked to Snow Lake with Barb and her dog, Kona. Everyone had a relatively good time. Both Barb and Kye thought the hike a bit too far. ;)

After work, I enjoyed a hike up Little Si with friends Anne, Isabel (with 3-week old Lily), and Dawn. These Betties are awesome and I'm so grateful to have them!

Today, Kye and I met up with Isabel and Lily again, and also Joanne for some climbing.

 Kye studies the route.

 Kye waves a leaf while looking over Baby Lily, content in layers of puffies.

Isabel climbing, Joanne belaying