Scottsdale Part 1

I got to fly alone with the kids to Phoenix. Eben had to work one more day. It was arduous, but Edison was a fantastic helper and we talked about each step in the adventure along the way. We didn't arrive at the hotel until midnight. He fell asleep about 11:45, just short of getting me all the way there. Everyone at the Phoenix airport was marveling that I was traveling with two little kids, the double jogging stroller, two carseats, a giant suitcase, and three carry-ons. Some how I schlepped the circus from Seattle to Phoenix, to the rental car spot, to Scottsdale. And the reward was an awesome vacation!
We got in late and explored the next morning. The kids had a blast checking out all the cool features of the resort - but hands down their favorite spot was the pool and hot tub.
Totally hilarious Edison pose.
Have they discovered the fountain of youth?
Playing with the rocks.
Our casita was on a huge, grassy courtyard that was lit up at night with twinkle lights.
I was thrilled that the kids could play on the grass right off the patio. Following lunch each day they did water play and "painted" on the sidewalk.
Want to know what the next step is after footprints and handprints? Well - Edison decided it was head prints....

February in Seattle

You have to make your own magic in Seattle in February. Here are a few shots from our typical winter week. Edison & Charlotte take baths downstairs now.
This was on Valentine's Day. Charlotte got all dolled up. Edison enjoyed his first Valentine's card exchange at school. He brought in dolphin cards that were pop-ups. (Note to mom's- this required a ton of assembly on my part - beware!) He really liked the Valentine's from his friends and Granddaddy Herbert. I also surprised the kids with balloons and they were pumped.
Charlotte expressing her kitty cat-self. She loves this shirt with the butterfly on it - thanks Floyd & Kathie!
Eskimo kisses with daddy!

The kids play better together every day. It is so wonderful to see them getting along so well. Here they are rolling their two firetrucks up and down the hallway.
Some days we just need to get out of the house. It was super chilly, but we went to the Mukilteo beach anyway.
Charlotte enjoyed seeing the ferry boats.
Checking out the Mukilteo lighthouse.
Watching some cartoons so mom & dad could get work done. Later that day we would fly to Arizona!

We are Staying in Seattle!

We are happy to announce that Eben's new job will be here in Seattle as the Port Engineer for the Heavy-Duty Polar Ice Breakers. We are hoping it will mean four years here in Seattle, in our house, with our family, and I can keep my job! We are a little sad not to have to move to Miami, though - but definitely not missing Baltimore (our other two options).

When we found out we were staying, I immediately rearranged our rooms. Edison got a twin bed - with a slide and a fort underneath - which he loves!
And Charlotte was moved out of the "loft" nursery and into our former guest room. I think the light turquoise walls turned out really well. Don't worry - we are setting up another guest room - with a king bed - and are hoping for lots of visitors. We can take you skiing in winter and boating in the San Juans in the summer - definitely think about it!
But mostly it has been great having the kids located next to each other now and not two floors apart!
We had our first of hopefully many playdates with Auntie Jennie and cousin Alton last Friday. He is now four weeks old and a really cool baby - interested in looking around, loves to cuddle, and generally contented most of the time. It was wonderful to hold him a lot - I do miss newborns! But Edison is still a little scared of the baby and didn't want to be in the picture with him.
We went out for a "date night" on Saturday to a school auction and Eben ended up winning the "Shorecrest Trivia" competition. We took home a fantastic prize: a night's stay at the Tulalip Casino and $250 to gamble with. We are definitely excited to head up there. Plus - the Boosters raised a lot of money to support our extracurricular programs and it was a fun evening with friends and colleagues. The next morning, the kids found our dress up shoes and had fun doing the "runway" with them. Charlotte never faltered in heels believe it or not.

FEBRUARY - One Warm Weekend

Every February we have one week of awesome weather - sunny and sixties - that makes you think that summer is just around the corner. Then - it rains for another two months. But this was the weekend, and we enjoyed every minute of it (except for the Patriots' Superbowl loss). We went to the zoo with our friends Matt, Jill & their kids Grace & Jake. Here is Edison & Charlotte at a special viewing porthole for the penguins.
Wouldn't you know it - the best weather ever we have had in February and all the kids want to play at the indoor playhouse.
Edison with his favorite pal, Grace. We are going to miss her when she moves to Cleveland this summer!Charlotte was really interested in the emus and wallaroos in the Australia exhibit.
Our favorite spot of the day was the bird house in the Australia section. It had parrots, cockatiels, and budgees. Eben was a "bird-talker" and was good at getting the birds to come to him.

We had a busy morning and the kids zonked out in the van on the way home.