two of my favorites

forgot to include these two photos from uncle Quinn.



Christmas Eve

 

I absolutely love love love the traditions of our Christmas eve.  From the afternoon of dinner preparations, last minute gift wrapping, these days chasing after the kiddos, a Christmas walk, a little bit of kitchen dancing, lots of silliness to the special dinner that tastes better and better year after year and finally to the drawing of numbers to decide the order of opening and handing out gifts.  All together it is one of my favorite days of the year and this year was no exception, it was perfect. 

 

 

Although our babies are too young yet to really embrace to magic of Santa Claus, their presence in our lives and throughout the holidays adds such a special outlook on the meaning of life and the simple joys within it that sometimes only the little ones have a way of finding.

 



 

 Elise loves her baby dolls and now she has a cadillac of a stroller to wheel them around:)

 

 Finn is her favorite baby doll!

 

Cannot wait until next year we get to do it all over again.

 





A friend's reunion

Connie and her ladies put together a wonderful party.  A reunion rather, of a group of dear friends that stretches back 30 plus years!  They are amazing ladies.

 

 

Sweet Miles was a trooper among all the girls (Elise, Emma, Lily and others).  One day Finn will be thrilled to have him as a play buddy.

 



Christmas in snowy Leavenworth

 It was a magical sleigh ride, almost a fairy tale like scene, with the sound of jingle bells ringing in the stillness of freshly fallen snow.  It was peaceful, special and so memorable; truly a reflection of our great Christmas holiday.   We feel so blessed for the amazing family in our lives; for their love, their company, their individuality.... they truly make our hearts complete and full.  We love them dearly and had an amazing Christmas with all of them.

 



 

Janie, Josh, Emma and Lily all flew up from Oakland and we were all so excited to celebrate and spend time with them.  In keeping with our yearly tradition we had a delicious soup dinner together and watched the cousins play.

 

Grandma Connie found these amazing toddler sleds and the girls had a great time.

 

 

Santa Claus

Santa stopped by the Coffee Cabin so we decided in was time to introduce Elise to the Jolly fellow.  We had high hopes of our cutie sitting on Santa's lap like her little brother but instead were faced with screams and yelling of noooooo Santa.  What a kind Santa he was and still said he would deliver presents on Christmas and so she enjoyed his candy cane as a parting gift.

 

 



Seattle Christmas adventure

Our first time for an overnight trip to Seattle since Finn was born was a success and boy was it so so easy to travel just the three of us.  Elise had an amazing time with babi and deda, which allowed us to power through some last minute big city shopping.  Finn slept in the car most of the trip and was an angel; we were so mobile it was amazing.  We were able to squeeze in a fantastic dinner with auntie & uncle and Allison & Travis and then a coffee date with cousin Karen and Eric.  We beat the snow storm home an couldn't wait to squeeze our sweetie.  Big thank you to mom and dad who were troopers and dedicated their weekend to watching and entertaining our crazy peanut.

 

 Our smiley boy

 

These two are ready for a baby Hall in 6 short weeks:)

 



 

Karen & Eric meeting Finnegan.