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!"