Advent 2010: week 3

This week, it was Sawyer's turn to be sick :( I guess the good thing about having had both of the kids' sick is that they're getting it overwith before Christmas :) This week, in spite of 3 days being home sick, we still...

Talked about and decided on the "special gifts" we are going to give this Christmas (ie to those in need and to our community)

Had a Hot Chocolate Party

Delivered poinsettia plants to some special people

Listened to some of our favorite Christmas Music

Drove down to Tacoma for a fun evening at the Point Defiance Zoolights and a fun visit with Uncle Taylor, Aunt Kaitlin, and cousins Alyssa and Alexandra (thanks so much you guys!)

Visited the Reindeer, Camel, Donkey & Trains at Swanson's Nursery (twice!)

...and we're headed downtown this evening to decorate Christmas Cookies this evening with some friends

We started the week off at Swanson's Nursery and ended it there as well. Our kiddos would be happy to go every day to Swansons!

Mama's pretty little flower fit perfectly into this big planter!

Both Sawyer and Aspen love to look at our Nativity Scene. Sometimes I have to hold myself back from gasping when I notice that Sawyer has pulled up a chair to the set and is picking up the pieces to admire (I don't want to discourage the conversation we can have during such a moment, but at the same time, don't want him to drop and break one of the pieces! ahhh, 2 year olds!) Anyway, it has been a treasure how Sawyer looks forward to reading about baby Jesus each night. Because of our kids' ages, this year instead of our usual advent readings, we just read books about Jesus and we read the St. Luke version of The Christmas Story - pretty much every night. We read by candlelight, and Sawyer loves to blow out the candles when we're done and ready for bed. He is so excited each night, it makes me think we should just read our family scriptures each day by candlelight all year round :) But the candles are what make this time of year - and the focus on the Christmas Story - so magical.

I can hardly believe we are so close to Christmas! This season is flying by - and there is still much fun to be had!

Advent 2010: Week 2

The week got a bit of a slow start with Aspen running a high fever for three days, so we were house-bound for half the week. But then, when our girl was feeling her stellar self again, we made up for it.

This week, we:

Baked some goodies to share with others

Celebrated a little friend's birthday AND saw the Train Village at the Seattle Center's Winterfest

Listened to some live Christmas Music

Had a "family movie night", popped kettle corn, and enjoyed that mean one, "Mr. Grinch"

Jacob and I enjoyed our date night out and saw the play "The Very Best Christmas Pageant EVER!" at the Greenlake Bathhouse Theatre (a wonderful production, btw).

We went to a Christmas Party (at our church)

We even hosted a little Christmas Party after watching the Christmas Ships at the beach by our house with a bunch of our favorite people.

And, we did a couple of Christmas Crafts...

one of which is this wreath I made for our front door.

I had been looking around for DIY wreath ideas for a few weeks, and I found a few great ideas, and some of them were pretty overwhelming. I love to "browse" all of the handmade goods on Etsy, and I'm not even sure how I stumbled upon Anna Hailey's shop. But I loved her stuff and decided I'd try my hand at a yarn+felt inspired wreath. Seriously, it was an easy and fun project. Took me just a couple of hours one evening. It cost me about $10 to make and I get the satisfaction of having created something unique for our home - although I totally ripped off her idea. (sorry Anna!) I wasn't sure if I'd love it...but I actually really like how it turned out. It adds just the right splash of color to our white door :)

Here is Sawyer watching the trains...

and Aspen's first time at the Train Village.

She spotted her first train going by!

I just love seeing my kiddos faces light up. It's the best gift!

Thanks to the handful of AWESOME families and GREAT friends who joined us on the beach this evening to watch the Christmas Ships and hear the Carols. And for warming up our home and allowing me to get excited about a little party. It is such a blessing to be surrounded by such wonderful people and marvelous friends!

I hope everyone else had a festive, fun - or at least, relaxing, - weekend!

Advent 2010: week 1

Thus far, we have:

"Decked our Halls"

Mailed our Cards and Packages

Finished (most) hand-made gifts

Enjoyed lights, music, food, and friends at Figgy Pudding

Marched to the drum line down Bellevue's Snowflake Lane

Enjoyed Hot Chocolate a la mode (w/ peppermint ice-cream)

Read LOTS of Christmas books

and even wrapped a few gifts and put them under the tree.

Not bad for the first week!

Below enjoy a few images from downtown last Friday night. Thanks to the Judkins for joining us!

It was a great start to our advent. Sawyer gets excited every night to burn our candles and read about Jesus (and maybe Mr. Grinch, too) We usually read about Jesus and then he picks out a few other books from our STACK under the tree. I put a ton of Christmas books on my cue at the public library, thinking I might wrap them and have him open one each night. BUT. He is fine with the gifts under the tree and hasn't tried unwrapping any (neither has Aspen, surprisingly!) and I didn't want to focus toooo much on the "presents". So we just put the books under the tree and that is a treat enough ;)

Sadly, the past two days little Aspen has had a high fever. Tomorrow we'll go to see the doc since it's been 72 hours. Poor little girl. We didn't make it to Swanson's this morning b/c she's sick. Hopefully soon she'll be better because we've got some FUN stuff planned this week and weekend!

Holidays // Christmas Advent

In our family, we have a tradition. We celebrate the countdown to Christmas, or Advent, by doing something special each day and then closing our day by reading a verse of scripture about the life of Jesus Christ by candlelight. There are so many aspects to this season - from Santa and the secular to the real reason for the season, the remembrance and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is much more sacred and holy. I love all the parts! My hope by doing something fun and also refocusing on the more spiritual aspect each day is that my children will grow up with many fond memories of holiday traditions we enjoy together as well as other real lessons that fortify their faith in our Savior along the way.

Over the past few years I have compiled a list of activities we have done or would like to do. Some things are very simple, others more extravagant. Most are free. A few cost something and a very few cost a lot. My hope in sharing this list with you is that if you are looking for a way to infuse some holiday cheer into this season, you might have somewhere to start.

I have worked with so many families and children, I felt like this was the least I could do to help spread just a bit of holiday cheer. So, whether new in town or Seattle-born-and-bred, please enjoy this list of ideas and activities and please don't hesitate to send me a note if you have any questions or if you have any ideas to add to the list. I am sure there are many other activities within each neighborhood community.

I will tell you the outings that are totally worth it each year and that I wouldn't want to miss out on: Figgy Pudding Caroling (LOVE it! LOVE the LLEW CREW!), Winterfest at the Seattle Center - just SO much to see and do and almost all free! Also, the Christmas Ships, and the Greenlake Pathway of Lights. Those are the things we never miss. I hope some of you are able to get in on some of this Holiday fun this year!

Let the Countdown Begin!

Above Image taken at the Seattle Center Winterfest Carousel, December 2009

Activity Ideas:

Deck the Halls - put up a tree and decorate for Christmas!

Do a Holiday Craft (here's a few fun ones I found):

3-D Paper Snowflakes, or simple, beautiful, 6-sided ones

Edible Snowmen

Pretty Paper plate Angels

or download, cut, paste, and gaze at these cute Christmas Creatures from Mibo Studios (cost is $5.80 from their Etsy shop)

make a paperchain garland

Send out Christmas Cards

Call someone special to wish them a Merry Christmas

Write a Holiday Newsletter - recap the year

Bake goodies for friends and neighbors

Drink some egg nog - or try it homemade this year!

Have a Christmas Cookie Exchange

Go to a Christmas Party - or host one yourself!

Go Christmas Caroling (extra cheer: if you ask in advance a lot of hospitals and nursing homes will allow small groups to carol to their patients)

Listen to your favorite Christmas Songs

Attend a Holiday Worship service at a local church

Have a Christmas Movie night

Research and learn about the symbolism of some of our current Christmas Traditions

Learn about Christmas traditions in other countries and cultures

Pick a name from a "giving tree" and shop for someone less fortunate

Donate food to the local food bank

Make gingerbread (or graham cracker) houses

Do some community service or volunteer work

Have a hot chocolate party (have you ever tried it a la mode with seasonal peppermint ice- cream? it's one of our favorite treats!)

Wrap presents - or volunteer to wrap for a good cause

Read favorite Christmas Stories

Read THE Christmas Story, or watch it.

Play in the snow - sledding, ski/snowboarding, or snow shoeing

Have a Twinkle Party - turn off all the lights except Christmas ones and enjoy

Go see a Light Display - one we like is Ravenna's Candycane Lane

See a Live Nativity - or create your own

Write a letter to Santa - or pay him a visit

Enjoy walking, caroling and luminaries at (D-foodbank) Greenlake Pathway of Lights

Attend a local Holiday Event (see below - a great range from free to pricey)

Local Events:

-There's always something happening Downtown

-(D) The Great Figgy Pudding Street Caroling Competition

-Seattle Center Winterfest: includes free and affordable Live Christmas Music, Christmas Carousel, Bonfires, Ice-sculpting, Train Village, Ice-Skating ($) and more

-Argosy Christmas Ships and Choirs at local Beaches

-Waterfront Park's Toyland Village

-Sheraton Hotel's Gingerbread Village

-Swanson's Nursery - reindeer, camel, donkey, and train village

-($$)PNB Nutcracker

-($$) Seattle Symphony: A lot to listen to including Handel's Messiah and A Charlie Brown Christmas

-($$) Intiman Theatre's The Black Nativity

-($$) Local Productions: ACT's A Christmas Carol, Greenlake Bathhouse Theatre: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, 5th Avenue Theatre: A Christmas Story: The Musical!, etc.

-See the beautiful trees (or buy one($$$$) for a good cause) at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel's Festival of Trees

Nearby Events (30-60 min. drive):

-($)Point Defiance Zoolights (South/Tacoma)

-(D)Bellevue Botanical Garden D'Lights (Eastside/Bellevue)

-See snow fall at Snowflake Lane (Eastside/Bellevue)

-($$)Ride the Santa Train at the Northwest Railway Museum (North Bend)

-($$)The Lights of Christmas Festival (North/Stanwood)

key:

D=donation appreciated

$=under $10

$$=$10-$100

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

We had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend.

Dinner with friends

(Jacob did the turkey this year and it was delish!)

Time together.

Raised garden beds, finally finished.

A couple of Christmas gifts (of the I-need-to-finish-sewing-variety) just about complete.

Put up the tree (but will decorate it later this week).

And a fun day downtown with the kidlets...

Oh yeah, we even made it on the Q13 Fox News! The reporter asked Jacob and I if we were local and what we were Thankful for this year. I'm pretty sure he stopped us because our kids were like celebrities as we walked around the market. I can't believe how many people stopped to drool over Aspen!

We don't even get TV reception, so if anyone saw us - be sure to tell us how cheesy we were! :)

Aspen met Santa. Hmmm...a little nervous...

Ummmm...okay...a LOT nervous...

Poor baby, "GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!!"

Sadly, Jacob and I were the only one's who were happy to see Santa.If you want to strike terror into your children, just head downtown to meet The Big Man in Red, I guess.

Actually, Sawyer had been excited to meet Santa all day long. He just got nervous/terrified once he saw him in person. Once it was over and he had the grand prize of a small candycane in hand, though, he couldn't stop talking about it. "I saw Santa! I was scared of him...but he gave me a treat!"

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Pike Place Market

We had a fantastic time walking around the Waterfront and through the market. If you've never visited the famous market, here - let Aspen give you a little tour....

You can walk to Pike Place Market from downtown Seattle. We used to be able to walk from our old apartment. Now we drive and park under the viaduct and then walk up through the Harbour Steps and through Post Alley.

*Note to those from out of town: it is not "Pike's" market - it is "Pike Place Market"

Of course there is the beautiful, locally grown produce you'd expect to find...

...as well as the freshest seafood around. And the famous fish-throwers, too.

Fresh-cut flowers for all occasions. They even have some wintry flowers and some dried flowers. You can get a good-sized bouquet of fresh flowers in the spring and through the summer for $5-$8 dollars.

I didn't even take pictures of all of the cute restaurants and little shops and other handmade and artisans shops in the market - you'll just have to come and discover those for yourself!

Fresh cut Christmas wreaths and trees outside the market this time of year. Ohhh, the pine-laden fragrant smell was HEAVENLY!

At "Magic in the Market" we were serenaded by The Dickens Carolers as well as a beautiful brass quintet. It was so festive - the crowd was a happy crowd as we all bundled up and stood close together, waiting for the finale...the lighting of thousands of lights to brighten up the market and the tree for the Holidays!

The was our first year at Magic in the Market - and it truly was Magic.

May the Countdown to Christmas Begin!

ps-I will do an advent post sometime this week on my other blog! So much fun to be had!

Dancing with Daddy

Dear Aspen,

Last night, right before bedtime, Daddy started dancing around the room with you. He sang: "Someday, your Prince will come..." and it was just soooo sweet.

It got me thinking ahead. Because as much as I love you this moment and sometimes I wish you wouldn't ever grow up, I know that, one day, you will.

Someday, your Prince will come. I hope he is everything you dream of (and everything we as your parents hope for). I hope he is as honest and good as your Daddy. And handsome! I hope he is a hard worker, but knows how to relax and have fun, too. I hope he is patient, kind, and respectful. I hope he loves his Savior, and that he will take you to a beautiful temple to be "sealed" together for your time on this earth - and all of eternity. Love is an eternal principle, after all. I could go on...but I'm wondering if it's okay with you if he doesn't show up until you're at least 25? Maybe 30?

You are such a sweet girl, Aspen. Crazy to think there's some baby or toddler boy out there growing up to one day be your Prince. I hope his parents are teaching him to treat you like a Queen.

Keep on dancin'...with Daddy, for now...until someday when that wonderful Prince comes along to take his place during your dance here on Earth. And know that you will always be our princess.

We love you!

Momma & Daddy

Us // a photo

We recently had some family photos taken (thanks to my awesome friend, we did a trade - thanks LEGS, you're the best! :)

I was going through some tonight to figure out which ones to print, and I found this gem. To me it is a gem, anyway. The kids were playing in the sand and the sun was setting and we were all about "done" taking photos...when my dear friend decided to get a few of just us two. I love it!

This one is making it to print!

*Our date Saturday night was fantastic, by the way...the Simon & Garfunkel tribute band were so good they even brought a few tears to my eyes (come on, who doesn't get a little teary during "Bridge Over Troubled Water"?). We laughed, we clapped (you have to clap to "Cecelia") we ate delectable desserts, and left feelin' pretty groovy. :) We even used valet parking! Us. Yes, it's good to remember there's an us amidst our party of four :) It's important for our kids to see that we love each other and make time for one another. And they had a great time with the babysitter and her son (thanks Miss D!!!)

BTW I hear that Simon & Garfunkel are in with the Hipsters. (Just in case you were wondering!)

Okay, it's late and I'm rambling so... over and out.

Halloween 2010

I always have waaaaaay too much fun with their costumes. Well, this is my first year with two...so I had to come up with some sort of theme, right? There's not going to be too many years where they'll be happy with me choosing their costumes, so I had to run with it. I get these big ideas in my head and then drive myself nuts until I get the image in my head into my camera's memory card.

Cute, though - right?

(Humility out the window)

OH MY GOLLY, MY KIDS ARE SOOOO CUTE!

It's okay, YOURS ARE SOOOO CUTE, TOO!!!

Happy Halloween!

PS: Thanks to the staff and patrons at Johnny Rockets at University Village for allowing me to get a little "trigger happy" during business hours (don't you worry, I got permission first). BTW - do you know they now serve breakfast at Johnny Rockets? (yep, and they usually don't serve chocolate milkshakes at 10am, but our server was so awesome, she made one up just to indulge me in all my picture-taking insanity ;) Thanks!

autumn treats

Yesterday, we baked some treats. Some Halloween treats. Cupcakes, to be exact. At first, Sawyer thought it was going to be his birthday. But then, he noticed the candy corn. He keeps asking to go trick-or-treating...

For our Family Night last night we popped up some kettle corn (thanks, Orville) and all snuggled up on the couch together to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown". It was super cozy and fun. As much as I live for summer...I guess I have to admit I do like the coziness that autumn brings. Who doesn't love getting all warm and cuddly with your favorite people? That in itself is a wonderful treat!

The Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend while in Portland, we went to Sauvie Island and this wonderful Pumpkin Patch with my parents. The traffic out to the farm was incredible - you would think we were headed to Woodstock or something :) Just kiddin'. But really, it was bad traffic - but it was an amazing farm and Pumpkin Patch! I truly wish we could've spent all day there, it was just perfect. And the weather was great, to top it off.

I can't get over the look on Sawyer's face as he watched the tractors going around the fields giving hayrides. That, and him trying to roll the huge pumpkins around. We have been reading/singing "Five Little Pumpkins" at bedtime to the glow of our little pumpkins and he loves the part when they "roll out of sight". Anyway...

Halloween costumes for the kidlets are simple (but cute, too) this year, and almost finished. I already know what they're going to be next year, too, though that will take more planning and sewing. Am I a dork or what? OH, the Thrills and Chills of the Halloween Season!

Long live The Great Pumpkin!