Merry Christmas!

The kids were SO EXCITED for Christmas to finally be here! They had been looking forward to it for weeks, counting down on their advent calendars and loving all the festivities.

 After Christmas stockings and a yummy breakfast they tore into their presents from Santaand mom and dad.

 Even Reed got in the action.

 Charlotte had requested a baby boy doll. She has now named him Baby Dillon and she is doing a very good job doing mommy jobs.

 Ready for winter!

 Charlotte made a lovely candle holder at school that she was proud to give us.

 Nana came over and showered the kids with very nice presents including a globe for Edison and two My Little Ponies for Charlotte.

 We hosted my family for a big Christmas dinner. Note the lovely red Dutch oven - my present from Eben. We are so fortunate to be surrounded and supported by our family.

Reed getting some love from Aunt Kathie.

 Walking off the big meal.

 Peter ended up with the coolest present in the adult's Christmas gift swap - a giant silver tiger from Tabby. The theme this year was shiny - perfect!

 Charlotte with Reed and her baby Dillon.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve Eve with Meg, Dillon, and Liam making holiday cookies and being festive. They treated us to a clown show and the kids had a blast! Great friends are the best gifts!

 Granddaddy Herbert came over to celebrate Christmas Eve. He brought great presents this year. Edison especially has enjoyed the harmonica.

 Edison also was over-the-moon about the Hot Wheels race track from Granddaddy!

 Charlotte received an electronic piano shaped like a cat that purports to make "mewsic," Granddaddy can never resist a pun!

 Mixing it up for Christmas Eve - grilled shrimp, garlic broccoli and baked potatoes.

 Bob and Marlene came over after dinner bearing gifts for the kiddos. Charlotte was thrilled to receive these cute slipper boots.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

At least he likes his bunting and crazy snow hat well enough to fall aslpeep in it.

 We had Eben's friend Ken over to the cabin last weekend. There actually isn't much snow around yet though it is chilly. Lake Wenatchee was superbly calm.

 We had a delicious lunch at the Mountain Springs Lodge - especially the Phillips boys.

 We went to the Leavenworth Christmas Tree Lighting again. Much warmer this time but we still forgot the kids' sleds. A delightful event and the start of a new tradition!

 With Ken!

 Making Christmas cookies with Meg, Dillon, and Liam. After this we took the kids to a clown show at Country Village. It was well done and the kids loved it!

Keeping Busy While Eben's Away

Part of our morning routine is getting Reed ready for the day. Edison and Charlotte help me and select his clothes. I call this one "Reed: the Athlete."

 Eben is working in Hawaii this week. The kids and I have been trying to keep busy and make the days pass faster. We spent about four hours on Friday making Christmas cookies. They actually turned out really well and the kids had a blast using cookie cutters, frosting the cookies, and adding decorations.

 Saturday morning we did a photo shoot with Reed. The kids brought up their kid camera and we all posed for pictures. This was the best one of the lot...And Edison lost another tooth (three now). Wow!

 We spent Saturday afternoon with Nana at her house and we got to go swimming in her community pool. It was a wonderful afternoon. Edison can tread water, dog paddle, and use the kick board really well. We are working on the arms part of the crawl stroke. Charlotte is very comfortable in the water and especially likes swimming underwater.

 We even brought Reed in the water for a little while. He did a great job - no crying - though I think he liked the hot tub more than the pool. We'll have to do it again soon.

DECEMBER - A Winter Concert and a Tree Lighting

Eben had the pleasure of giving our favorite NFL referee, Ed Hochuli, a tour of the ship while he was in town to ref the Seahawks football game. He is a great guy!

 Reed got to spend some quality time with Clara, who is a couple weeks older than him. They spent half-an-hour just looking at each other - how sweet.

 Reed is starting to pick up his head very nicely during tummy time and is showing great interest in the objects and people around him.

 Edison and Charlotte's school had their Winter Concert last week. It was fun to see them and listen to the songs they'd been practicing for the last few months. I think my favorite was the "Rock and Roll Snowman" song.

 It was snowy and cold at the cabin last weekend, only 10 degrees. It was fun to have Matt and Lisa join us for the weekend. We braved the weather and went to Leavenworth for the annual tree-lighting festival. It was beautiful!

The cabin is starting to feel a little bit like a homestead.

 Go Patriots! Can't believe they won the game on Sunday. The kids do a great job cheering for them during the games.

Deception Falls Hike and Reed's First Smiles

We got as far away from the mall as possible on Black Friday. We went hiking with Meg, Chris, Dillon and Liam to Deception Falls off of Highway 2. It was positively enchanting and the brisk air was invigorating.

 GIANT cedar trees!

 An amazing canyon section on the Tye River.

 Eben's got Reed tucked under his jacket.

 The start of the Iron Goat trail - a hike for next summer.