Merry Christmas!

We hit the Snoqualmie Pass Christmas party last weekend, a local tradition for many families at the pass but our first go. Wow, what a cool party for kids! Santa came to the party on a fire truck, so that's awesome. 

Then, he read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the kids. What a cool memory for those kids!

K rehearsed what he was going to say to Santa before-hand, but then got scared. I convinced him to sit on Santa's lap but he wasn't going to look at him. No way.

Somehow, they made friends and K was even willing to snuggle Santa. :)

On the eve of Christmas Eve, we headed to my brother Jon's place for family dinner. Thanks to them for hosting as it was relaxing and enjoyable. 

K enjoying a book from Grandma Jane and Auntie Carly

Today, Christmas, involved a good deal of overstimulation, thrill, and 'some' assembly required.

K's present from Santa

He probably could've been happy with just a candy cane. Easy customer.

but then he got cars from cousin Sam. Pretty cool.

 ...and um yeah, this from my brother and family. 44 steps and screws for this awesome toy!

When we had K, my brother took it upon himself to buy us the most annoying noisy toys ever. Many of these toys have 'broken'. Really though, the noisy toys didn't bother me that much and I think he knew it. This year, he took a step in a different, much worse direction. A semi-permanent, hideous, and large structure that my kid loves. Wow, thanks bro! It might break quickly.

We're finally getting some white stuff, more expected tomorrow. Keep dancing everyone!

K trying out his snow-plow on the driveway.

Snow & Hot Cocoa

We need more of both, frankly. :) We are grateful for the little bit we have received, but kindly ask for more. Oh wait, it's snowing now as I type...thank you!!!!

Sitting on the chairlift...hoping it will start soon.

Mr. Fashionable

Out to get our tree...Kye 'smiling' :)

A perfect tree.

K's favorite part of Christmas tree hunting

Cool things are starting up at the pass. Everyone has said, for years, that restaurants and shops would be hugely successful up here. This past summer, developers started The Pass Life, which consists of beautiful condos and a commercial building to house a brewery and cafe. I still didn't really believe it until last night, which was the grand opening of Dru Bru and Commonwealth Cafe. K and I went to enjoy the party, good food, and to welcome the new establishment. We are thrilled!!!!

Give Thanks

We spent Thanksgiving up in the beautiful hills above Lake Coeur d'Alene, and it was great, as usual. I no longer take photos with a real camera, so unfortunately, none of the inside shots turned out...but they are cute anyway.

Grandpa Dale, Kye, Uncle Bear

Kye and Amanda

Grandpa and Kye, with his new version of 'smiling'

Visiting the chicken coop

and driving Babe the 'tractor', with help from Brody doggy

Uncle Jon and Auntie Nicole, making us bread...yummy

To wrap the weekend up, we headed into Seattle for a date night. B told me we were going to the Christmas Carol play, which always puts you in the holiday spirit, but he had actually booked us tickets to see Brandi Carlile play with the Seattle Sympony. I have never missed her when she came into town so that was pretty awesome...and, of course, the music and experience was unforgettable. 

New Hat, First Snow and First Haircut

 Same as dad's

First snow!

 Not so sure..

 Doing just fine

Good Thing It Hasn't Snowed Yet!

Nobody here in this household really feels that it is a good thing it hasn't snowed yet, but, we have used the last bits of dry weather to finish our outside house projects. Typically, we have snow by the end of October so all outdoor projects have to be completed. This year, we just couldn't seem to finish the yard, so it was handy to have the last couple of weeks to wrap things up.

[K helps daddy with the skid steer tractor.]

The ski area has also been making good use of the extra long fall, installing a brand new chairlift at Hyak, completely last-minute. We have all enjoyed watching the helicopter operations. I can't remember the type of helicopter shown here, but it is similar to a Chinook, just about half the size.

 [Dumping trees and debris at the top of the hill]

[K and B get to tour the inside; it's big enough to fit a small car.]

On one of the last 'fall' days (i.e. not requiring two coats, hat, gloves), K got out on his bicycle. I know, no helmet...I just wanted a pic of him looking cool and 1970s shaggy.

Although we don't have snow yet, winter has arrived. It has been in the teens and 20s with major wind biting to the bone. We got out running yesterday with friends Seth and Holly, but much of the route (from Summit West to Hyak on the ski hill) was covered in ice.

Wherever you are, start doing your snow dance. We are ready. 

Happy Halloween!

I had this idea to make K a 'Lightning McQueen' halloween costume. It sounded like a great idea until two weeks before Halloween, when it came time to begin. I started looking at various people's versions of the cardboard costume and decided it was above my artistic skill level. But B was up for it!

Pretty awesome! 

Just a cardboard box, cut and glued and taped 

with the logos/numbers 'mod podged' on.

Little man was quite happy with his costume 

but refused to smile for the camera.

A horrible, grainy shot...

but oh well.

Callum, aka 'Tigger', hopped into this lady's house super quick. :)

Candy and Cousins

K had his first bit of corn syrup pleasure yesterday, when Auntie Sheena gave him a lollypop.

The cousins sit quietly, enjoying their Tootsie Pops.

And then they sat quietly, transfixed by the movie 'Shrek'.

The rest of the time we were at the hospital (with Gpa Don), 

they ran around like crazy monkies, of course.

Matchy-Matchy

I'm such a good mom that I color match K's clothes to the natural environment when we go out. Yep.

A Bit Slower

Despite last week's warm and sunny weather, fall is officially here. The colors have changed, the leaves are falling, and the rain is here to stay for awhile.

It feels nice to slow down a bit, drink tea, read books, and wear our comfy 'puffies.'

K enjoys the festivities at Salmon Days Festival

 And here, pretends to be a bear after a hike with daddy...

The plane accompanied us on our Gold Creek walk.

throwing rocks...

Did you know there are land-locked Kokanee salmon in Gold Creek? I didn't...

This morning, I made this little fort for K and told him he could read in it. When making breakfast, it got quiet, so I looked around the corner and saw this. Too cute.