Closing Out 2017

We wrapped up 2017 with friends at the cabin. Matt and Lisa met us at Stevens on the 30th. It was so wonderful to catch up with Lisa and have a little girl time on the slopes.

 Chris and Meg joined us later that night and we put the new fire pan to good use. Lots of sledding ensued and we had a merry time.

 After watching the Seahawks lose and miss out on a play-off spot on New Year's Eve, we gathered round for festive karaoke before the ceremonial sledding and fireworks. Goodbye, 2017, we had many adventures together, found our kids grow more independent and turn into quick thinkers and thoughtful children. We shall see what 2018 will bring!

Ski Week

Our Christmas present to Grand Daddy Herbert was a trip to the Seattle Art Museum to the see the Andrew Wyeth exhibit followed by lunch and a quick tour of the Pike Place Market. He instilled in me a sense of appreciation for art and museums and it was neat to share this day with him and the kids.

 

We also got in six days of skiing over Winter Break! We skied with friends, with the kids, and even took one day for ourselves while Nana took the kids on their Christmas shopping adventure.  Nothing beats swishing down those slopes with the children flying ahead of us and looking out over the many folds of jagged mountains from the top of the ridge.

Christmas!

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Grand Daddy Herbert...

 He found some really great books for the kids (and football gloves for Edison which were a huge hit).

We woke up to a White Christmas! What a thrill!

 The kids were - all in all - more good than not this year and Santa stopped by with gifts in the stockings and Legos under the tree.

 Nana has been teaching the kids piano. They gave a lovely recital on Christmas!

Walking the neighborhood to make room for dessert...

Relaxing at the Cabin

We had Eben's college roommate, Dave, and his kids over to the cabin for a couple days before Christmas. Reed and Edison were sharing the queen. Looks like we could have gotten away with a twin for them.... We went skiing and got in our first few days on the mountain for the season. After a run of being crazy, Reed remembered how to ski and it was all downhill from there.

 Then Heidi, Max and Maggie came out to visit. We went up to Beaver Pass for a beautiful showshoe and look out over Plain Valley.

 Reed was in a backpack last year - pretty awesome he is doing so well this year on his own showshoes!

 

Heidi!

 Ever the trooper, Edison pressed on past one set of broken showshoes to another set and then a broken buckle, to just hiking in snow boots. Now that is persistence.

 Though Reed did hit a wall after a point.

 Charlotte loved the whole endeavor and raced up and back, always wanting to be in the front.

 First sledding of the season on the cabin's hill.

DECEMBER - Getting Ready for Christmas!

Charlotte and Edison helped decorate the tree.

 We went with Nana to "Mr. Popper's Penguins" at the Seattle Children's Theater and viewed the model train village afterwards.

 A beautiful, sunny afternoon in Seattle for goofing off by the fountain.

 

Playdate for us with Keira and her family: Trent, Rachelle and Kylee. Watching the Seahawks win a great game while the kids played - double win.

 The Social Studies Winter Gathering.... all the kids got presents from the secret Social Studies Santa. 12 kids now (Josie was taking a little break at this point...)

 Reed and Eevi hitting up the Curious George while grown ups did their White Elephant Gift Exchange.

 Maija, Lisa & Beth.

 Another Christmas tradition - making lefse with Auntie Kirstie. Reed was such a great helper this year!

Nutcracker Ballet with Nana!

I can remember going to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker Ballet with Nana when I was in elementary school. It was so wonderful to return to the Nutcracker with Nana again - and now with my own children. What a lovely way to kick off the holiday season and to share the joy and excitement of such a stunning production visually as well as the iconic music of the symphony!

 Edison's favorite part was the battle between the mice and the toy soldiers.

 Charlotte liked the Sugar Plum fairy the best as her dancing was ethereal and magical. I think Reed liked his cupcake at intermission the best! (But he did do a fantastic job of watching the show and not getting restless!)