Advent (week 3)

This week was less than stellar, I must admit. I have been toughing it out with my pregnancy-related sickness (almost constant nausea and a near-migraine headache that lasted a record 4 days), and if that hasn't been enough of a challenge - the kids and I all got nasty colds. Ugh. Needless to say, we spent a lot of the week just coping with being sick. Wiping noses. Napping when possible. Etc. Daddy had to rescue us on several occasions. BUT. In spite of it all, we still tried to be festive! Emphasis on the tried. Several days we did nothing but survive. Several days we barely made it out of our pjs and into real clothes. Most days we did not leave the house. Today has been our best day yet, so we ended the week with some paper crafting this morning. The kids aren't the best with scissors so it was more of they were cheering me on in my efforts - but we got out all of our art stuff and made a morning of it, and they really like the huge snowflake now hanging in the middle of our dining room table.

Week Three:

eyes were beholding...

LOTS of candy as we decorated our "gingerbread" houses.

Glorious sunshine outside (we've had amazing weather!)

Irving Berlin's "White Christmas"

A note of thanks and holiday treats left on our doorstep

ears were hearing...

Silly Christmas songs sung by Alvin & the Chipmunks

Lots of coughing from sick children (especially at night)

"Mommy! Help me - My Nooooose!"

hands were holding...

as much candy as toddler hands can grasp

(quickly stuffed in mouth during gingerbread house activity)

LOTS of kleenex

Paper, scissors, paper plates, and new markers

tongues were tasting...

Stolen goodies from a day or two of our advent calendar

Pink Peppermint Ice Cream

Takeout - twice in one week

Mint Melange Tea

Christmas Spritz Cookies

and did I mention I'm addicted to Clementines? 

noses were smelling...

the sweet smell of baking Christmas Cookies to share

(but not much more than a whiff because our noses were so stuffed up!)

hearts were feeling...

tired...blessed...a bit heavy...hopeful...and...filled with much excitement and anticipation of Christmas Eve & Christmas Day so close now!

A little pregnancy note: If anyone notices our kitchen light on at 2am, please know nothing horrible is happening - it's just me sneaking downstairs because I can't sleep and all that the baby in my belly seems to want are those cutie little clementine mandarin oranges. huh? they're kind of sweet like candy, and Jacob laughs when he gets up for work and finds a pile of proof in the peels I failed to put in the food waste bin before heading back to bed. I must say, between the nausea, the insomnia, and the headaches - this baby is really giving me a run for my money, very similar to my pregnancy with Aspen. Was the first child an easier pregnancy just to ensure I'd have more? I have no idea...and have I mentioned yet that I am envious of women who love being pregnant, who feel good when they're pregnant, who get over the morning sickness at 12 weeks - or don't have any at all. I know I shouldn't complain - but even the optimist can start to grumble after months of the aforementioned symptoms. (I've just got to keep my eye on the prize...because I known it's worth it!)

Here's to mending overnight and a marvelous, merry, magical & bright Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrating the Birth of our Savior! And feeling well enough to enjoy every minute of it! We are so blessed and have much to look forward to.

May you all have a very blessed and happy Christmas!

Advent week 2

This year our advent has been a little more low-key than in years past and I/we have had to be a bit more flexible...mostly due to being pregnant and nausea. But I have had decent and even good days and I am pretty good about just pushing through and getting out even when I don't always feel up for it - and thankfully, once we're out getting fresh air, it is like a bit of balm for this pregnant-lady-soul :)  That said, we have been able to do or participate in most of our wonderful and beloved traditions. And we have been loving it!

Week Two:

eyes were beholding...

Hundreds of luminaries and candles lighting an evening stroll around Greenlake.

One of Santa's Reindeer and his friends!

The magical glow of the Christmas Ships all lit up and

the glow of the beach bonfire at Carkeek Beach.

Our gifts wrapped all shiny and exciting, under the tree.

A tiny little body - the gift of our new baby (via ultrasound).

ears were hearing...

Guitars, Mandolins, Ukeleles, Banjos, and voices caroling along the shores of the Pathway of Lights.

The Dickens Carolers sweet voices from the shore.

The crackle of the bonfire on the beach.

Christmas Trains.

The heartbeat of our new baby.

hands were holding and helping...

Each other!
the hands of our friends.

A friend's new baby.
the warmth of hats, mittens, and jackets.

Sticky candy canes and melty mint truffles.

Pinecones.

carefully selected gifts for one another.

wrapping paper, scissors, tape, and ribbon.

toddler hands and fingers to wrap special gifts.

New drawing tools and Christmas coloring books.

Christmas Cards and newsletters sent by friends and family.

tongues were tasting...

Fine and delectable fair from Canlis.

Virgin Mojitos 

Candycanes, mint truffles and small goodies.

Hot chocolate with baby marshmallows

Comfort food at the dinner table.
Popcorn with little friends late at night.

noses were smelling...

Hay from the camel and donkeys dwelling place.

Fragrant fir and winter flowers at Swanson's nursery.

a bonfire on the beach with hot cider close by.

hearts were feeling...

friendly...uplifted...grateful...hopeful...thankful...touched

tidbit I don't want to forget from today...

Before his nap, Sawyer wanted to read a book called "Beautiful Savior" - beautiful images of our Savior with simple text. There was an image with bread and wine - so we talked about how we partake of the sacrament at church and it is a good time to think about Jesus and remember him. After a moment of thought, Sawyer said "Hmm. Actually, during the sacrament I am usually thinking about dinosaurs and dragons." Such an honest boy! We decided maybe we can look at pictures of Jesus while the sacrament is administered to keep our mind thinking about our Savior :)

Advent week 1

For our first advent activity this year, we decided to do something new. We had a special - and very sweet - dinner by the light of our advent calendar and candles, and talked about the coming days ahead. About Christmas and what it's really about, and also about all the fun stuff that happens around this time of the year. We ate Eggnog French Toast (recipe at bottom of post), sipped European Hot Chocolate from our favorite Anthro mugs, and threw in a few apple slices for good measure. The smell of the candles was pleasant, and I love the way the candles seem to slow the moments down. I love the way they illuminate the faces I hold so dearly. We polished off our evening by reading The Christmas Story (the little golden book edition, for starters ;) and I love that every night when we read scriptures and/or special books by candlelight the kids want to read them over again and again. They often go to bed later than they *should* because we all enjoy this time so much. 

Week One:


eyes were beholding...
Lights and Baubles on our Christmas Tree
City lights and sidewalks all decked for the holidays
an evening of Classic Christmas movies
Mama's special Nativity Scene
words read by candlelight 


ears were hearing...
The talented street corner carolers at Figgy Pudding
popcorn popping to go along with movie night
Mama & Daddy singing carols at bedtime
"You Better Watch Out..."
Two toddlers singing carols with enthusiasm
coins clanging as they bounce merrily as donations


fingers were touching...
spare cash to donate to a good cause
Squishy marshmellow for making little snowmen
The pages of favorite Christmas Stories
Lights and Baubles on our Christmas Tree :)


tongues were tasting...
Eggnog (& the French Toast version with Eggnog)
Chocolate from the Advent Calendar
Holiday goodies and treats


noses were smelling...
Christmas Scented Candles burning
gingerbread cookies baking
steamy hot apple cider

hearts were feeling...
happy...full...blessed...magical...hopeful...generous

Recipe for Eggnog French Toast

(from the Seattle Times, years ago...)

*half this recipe unless you're feeding more than 3 adults

1 TBSP butter (softened)

2 C eggnog

2 C milk

6 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

-quality white or french bread (thick)

-maple syrup or a sprinkle of powdered sugar

enjoy!

but who's counting!?!

We recently had some family pictures taken. 

"You got to be careful when you've got good love 'Cause them angels will just keep on multiplying..."

(Angel by Jack Johnson)


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Here are a few from our session, in numerical order...

I am pretty sure some of you out there have been wondering...so here's the official announcement in case you didn't get one of our Christmas Cards.

Baby #3 due in June! We are over-the-moon excited!

(Just wishing the morning-afternoon-evening-all-night-sickness would end sometime in the near future. Which is why it has been getting harder to keep this under wraps! I am not dying...I am just pregnant and have been very sick! Thanks for those who have been thoughtful and concerned and inquired!) We are now 12 weeks along, and June can't come fast enough! Hooray for baby number three!

Outings // Magic in the Market

Last year we had so much fun, we decided to go again!

I had been looking forward to this event for a couple of weeks. The weather was even perfect - at first we had bundled the kids all up, and we ended up taking our jackets off because it was nice and warm. Well, relatively speaking.

I had also been super excited about the kids seeing Santa - and had tried to prep them in advance so they wouldn't be afraid. This Santa is my favorite in the city. Truly, the best Santa I've ever seen, and so sweet. Anyway, we had talked about how they could sit on his lap and he would say "and what would you like for Christmas?" and they knew the answers...and that they would get a candy cane. And I had picked out a cute little festive dress for Aspen to wear with her cute furry boots and hat - and in the end - 

Aspen was TERRIFIED of Santa. Which, in turn, made Sawyer nervous.

oh well?

Seriously, though. I just had to scratch the cute little picture I had in my head and settle for the reality, ya know? Aspen is such a happy, easy-going girl it was almost un-nerving to see her so upset. Kind of funny, too - but in a sad way. I don't know if it's the suit or the beard, or what - but she didn't even make it to his lap. Santa did, however, still give the girl a candy cane. He's just nice like that.

I decided to say hello to the Big Man myself. I thanked him for being patient and sweet with my screaming girl. And easy on the boy. I also thought maybe if the kids saw me talking to him (I didn't sit on his lap) maybe they'd see that it's really not so tough. I have a soft spot for Santa, afterall. 

Aspen sure enjoyed that candy cane - from the comfort of her stroller. But Sawyer slowly warmed up. He still needed some moral support, but he wanted to go tell Santa what he wants for Christmas. I asked him how it went. He said "I told him I want a snowy owl" And what did he say? 

His face totally lit up "he said he would put it on his list!"

Well, of course! Little does Sawyer know that Santa has already delivered it to his Mama for safe keeping until Christmas morning!

The next couple of shots are rather random. 

Walking up from where we parked on the waterfront, we walked up and through Post Alley to the market - and by the infamous Wall of Gum. Aspen was super curious. Sawyer didn't want to get near it. Jacob thinks it's gross. I think it's cool. It's all good :)

One of the funniest moments EVER occurred after we saw Santa, and while we were killing time until the carols started and they turned on all the lights. Sawyer wanted to see the "fish throwers" (they're kind of famous, too). So we did. Aspen was squirming and trying to wriggle out of her stroller because she wanted to run off and get lost walk instead of be confined to her seat. The fish-thrower walked right over to her with a big fish, and he makes the fish talk to her (it's almost like a show, if you've ever seen these guys throw fish before) and the fish said "what do you think you're doing?" And she sat sooooo still. I was sure she was going to burst out in worse tears than when she saw Santa, but she just sat as still as could be. 

We also met up with some friends, and went to get a pastry to kill more time. We enjoyed a couple of street musicians, but this guy was my favorite. Check him out - he was singing, smiling, playing the guitar, playing the harmonica, and hula hooping all at the same time! And sounded really good! I, quite simply, am not so talented. 

And then we went back to listen to the Dickens Carolers and count down to the lighting of the market for the holidays. 

Once again - magic. We topped it off with dinner on the Waterfront where we could see the ferries coming and going out the window. I do love Seattle!

We are looking forward to a truly magical holiday season this year. If you can believe it, I have 100% of my Christmas shopping done, so I get to just relax now and enjoy the season through the eyes of my children. Our advent calendar was stuffed with goodies today and my list of activities for each day is almost complete. Sawyer asks every day if it's Christmas yet. We did trim the tree, and have been playing Christmas music...it is going to seem like a long wait for a very excited little boy. Hopefully as we preview each day the evening before, as we read by candlelight - another favorite tradition - it will help him enjoy the wait. One of my VERY favorite traditions is coming up this weekend - the Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition down by Westlake Center. This Friday night! Be there, or be square! Seriously, I just love this event - one of my all-time favorites! I think this will be our fourth year!

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

thanksgiving 2011

This is the only picture I have to document Thanksgiving this year. I had just grabbed the camera and thought I'd maybe take some photos of the table once we decked it with China and all good things to eat - or maybe a few of our wonderful company - or the beautiful turkey my husband did - or the pies my sister made - or at least the proof of empty plates when we were finished. But then the doorbell rang, the whirlwind continued, and the fun began. And then we sat. And we ate. And ate. And talked. And played. And ate. And played Skip-Bo. And tried to tame wild children down to put their pjs on. And said good-bye. (and then we did dishes for a long long time ;).

So, this one photo is just a small token to help trigger those memories: Sawyer so eager to find his name on his place card (and every else's name, too!) - our first time hosting the Thanksgiving feast - the good company of my sister, Kaitlin, and her cute little family - of the kids wild and excited - of a very wonderful time together, just the way it should be.

PS - I do have to add that as I was cleaning during the day, preparing for guests, I all of a sudden got a little teary eyed. Why? Because I wish I could have been in NYC at the sidelines of the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to take a picture of the look on my mother's face as she watched the parade and had her first New York experience. My dad granted her small wish -  one of her lifelong dreams - this Thanksgiving. Mom - your rolls always turn out better than mine - but I hope you had the time of your life in NYC! Broadway musicals! Ice-skating at Rockefeller Center! Shopping and Food! NYC Ballet Nutcracker! Love you!!!


*update* thanks to my twin sister, Tia, who was with my parents, here's the very picture I imagined (thanks, sis!):

It's snowing in Seattle!

This morning when we got up and looked out the window, it was snowing! Snow doesn't happen very often in Seattle, so we were excited! The whole city pretty much freaks out, but that's okay - it makes for lots of people home taking advantage of the weather and playing in the snow. Poor Jacob couldn't get out of work and the busses weren't going by our house because of the snow...so he rode his bike seven miles to work with all his snow-gear on. He rides his bike every day...but in the snow? Don't you think that he deserves a bonus!?! That's dedication!

The kids and I got to stay at home all warm and toasty. Sawyer tried his first hot chocolate and we bundled all up to go play in the snow. Doesn't Aspen look super cute & cuddly in Sawyer's old polar bear suit? She didn't complain, but it's kinda hard to move at all in the darn thing! At least it kept her toasty :)

We played in the back yard and built a "baby snow man". Sawyer insisted that some friends come to visit him...Did you know Snowmen and Dinosaurs are best friends? I guess so...

And then...an idea exploded in my head! I put Aspen in the backpack and took Sawyer out front and pulled him all along the road on our Boogie Board! Even Aspen was cheering "wheeeee" from the backpack as I pulled Sawyer along, it was just so much fun!

Who knows if it will last?

At least we made the most of our Snow Day!

I'll say this a few days early since I don't plan on blogging in the next few days:

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

To be Thankful

I have thoroughly enjoyed how each day on Facebook a lot of friends have been taking note and sharing something they are grateful for, during this month especially designated to remind us of gratitude and thanksgiving. I haven't written something down every day, or shared it, for that matter - but that doesn't mean I haven't been taking note in my thoughts of the things I am grateful for each day.

A common thing among the things I am most grateful for - is that often the things that pull my heartstrings and swell my emotions with gratitude, are very little things.

This morning, I couldn't help but pull out the camera to document my 21 month old girl (not so little these days!) trying intently and with the utmost amount of patience and determination that a not-quite-two-year-old can muster - to dress herself for church.

I am grateful for the seemingly small things my children learn each day, and that I get to cheer them on.

I am grateful for the sheer pleasure and joy that comes to them when they accomplish something they've strived hard to do - even if in the end, they had to accept a little bit of help.

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I am grateful for the biggest smile and excitement on a little boy's face when he asked if he could have a turn with the camera...and his Mama said "yes, go ahead" (trying to forget how big, heavy, and expensive the camera and lens are and that there's no way she could afford to replace them if they were broken).

This was his winning image - in focus, and capturing a moment between his Mama and his little sister that his Mama will cherish always. (even if she hasn't showered, combed her own hair, or got herself dressed and ready yet for church).

Then, of course - little sister had to have a turn with the camera. Please don't hurt your neck trying to look at it straight. Hey, she's not even two - she's got time to learn a lot more about composition. The joy came in pushing the button. 

Know what I mean?

As we count down the days to the celebration of Thanksgiving later this week, it is my prayer that all of you will find something - many things, in fact - to be grateful for. It really doesn't matter the size. 

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Official farewell to Summer

Summer officially left us a while ago...

but I just found these images on an old memory card and it came flashing back, fresh to my memory...

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Dear Summer,

 You were fun (you always are, and you know it!), even if you weren't quite as hot as I like this year (although I think the rest of the country would've loved to have your pleasant 70s over their scorching record-breaking in the 100+s)

You know I love you. And I will miss you. (like crazy!) 

I will patiently await for you to come back again next year.

Love from your biggest fan,

Tysha

*It was a treat to find these random images on a very cold November day, when things have been very mellow because of sickness in the house. Fun in the wading pool at the Seattle Center and spinning some of our wheels around the neighborhood one morning...good times!