Holiday Festivities!

To start:

New window construction!

I love love love love love my new windows.

Love them!

No draft when I walk into the living room. I no longer feel the furnace kick on and then feel it get sucked right out that big window.

The kids room also got a new window and it's cozy, warm and beautiful in there now!

I have yet to take a picture of their window. Whenever I have a chance to think about it, one or both of the kids is sleeping.

These windows would not have been possible without the help of Ryan & Kathryn's Grandma Soon and Papa.

Thank you - thank you - thank you.

I am grateful beyond words.

On to Christmas Eve at my parents home

Snacks before dinner

Grandma Kathie reading the story of MooselToe.

That Moose has been in our family for about 25 years now

One of Ryan's favorite gifts. You ask him what he got for Christmas and "Basketball!" comes out of his mouth.

His other faves are a remote control truck from his Papa & a polar bear pillow pet from his Grandma and Grandad.

Christmas morning.

The best part for me - the stockings

My best attempt to get a photo of both kids in front of the tree.

4 tries, and this is the best I got.

I gave up after that.

"To Ryan, Love Santa"

I love this.

My babies and Christmas fun

First ever attempt at home made cinnamon rolls.

I think it was successful!

Christmas Morning aftermath

Off to Whidbey Island

Christmas dinner and fun with Paul's side of the family.

The dress Kathryn is wearing was also worn by Kathryn's cousins, Ruby and Kimberly.

12/26/10

Watching the birds frolic around the bird feeder.

We saw at least 2 bald eagles flying out in that pasture that morning

The Long Night

Before I get to one of the longer nights of my life. . . .

*

Ryan completed his first session of swimming lessons.

Did he learn anything? Ummm, a little.

Does he need a lot more time in the water and instruction for swimming and water safety?

Heck yes!

We are going to skip the Winter session for swim lessons and probably jump back in, Spring session. Instead he is going to learn basketball - on a Rookie Basketball team, offered at the Y.

He's way more excited about that, than he ever was swim lessons.

And now on to a very very very long night for Paul and I. Kathryn started with a stomach bug early Thursday morning. No details needed as I know everyone has experienced the fun of said stomach bug. She was tired and not real happy on Thursday, but seemed to rally a bit on Friday. Friday night, oh about 10 pm we heard, "I'm all messy!!!" And sure enough, Miss Kathryn was nice enough to share her nasty bug with Ryan. For sympathy I guess, Kathryn again joined in on Ryan's fun all Friday night as well. Simultaneously with Ryan I might add. Every hour to two hours we had our work cut out for us. I have honestly lost count of how many loads of laundry I've done. I quit counting after 7 loads. Oh and in the midst of this the washing machine plumbing acts up and we have puddling water all over the kitchen floor (yes my laundry facilities are in my kitchen - it's a small house). Thank you Drano for fixing that problem. Here it is Sunday and I am crossing my fingers we've passed the worst of it. Ryan has no appetite and Kathryn seems to still be struggling with some digestive issues - but they are both happy. Here's Demeter-kitty keeping watch over Ryan as he slept off his sickness. He napped for a total of 6 hours on Saturday! And then slept another 12 Saturday night. More Christmas fun

Helping Daddy with the Christmas tree lights

We went with a mini tree this year.

I love the big one we had last year, but I felt claustrophobic in my own living room.

This one is a bit on the small side, but functional and nicely priced.

And take your last look at that ugly window in our living room!

Come the 23rd that window and the kids room window are being replaced with new ones - WAHOOOOO!

The windows are circa 1940's and horrible at keeping the cold out.

A very good friend of mine pointed out that "old people" get excited about new windows - and well I am going to be 40 in February. This is just practice at thinking like an old person. Ha!

Happy Birthday Paul!

Beef stroganoff for dinner

Triple chocolate cupcakes for birthday dessert.

I cheated and used store bought frosting - and I thought I bought white.

Apparently not!

And come to find out, Ryan ratted me out and told Paul what his birthday gift was (knife suitable for cutting sushi), before his birthday.

A three year old can't keep a secret worth a darn. :-)

Here's the video of Kathryn sledding and doing a face plant.

Remember, no harm done because once I picked her up and dusted her off, she said, "Again!"

Traditions

I'm thinking there is nothing better than enjoying a holiday with a 3 year old.

Every morning the question is, "Is it Christmas time yet?"

The lights, decorations, activities all have Ryan bouncing with excitement.

We're about 50% decorated in the house - with lights up outside and in.

Stockings up (one of my favorite traditions)

Gingerbread house complete (see below)

Big Santa Snoopy has come out of hiding. Paul and I had no idea of knowing that when he bought me that big Snoopy - oh 8 or 9 years ago, how much fun we would have watching our kids delight when Big Santa Snoopy comes out.

The tree will be next.

Paul's birthday is the 13th of December, we'll celebrate that and then within a few days get a tree. I am excited to see Ryan's excitement when we bring it in and decorate it.

I'm a little bit apprehensive with little Miss Kathryn and the tree. She doesn't take no-no, don't touch, very well. I am predicting a few pulled down ornaments, broken tree branches and some tears.

It was Apple Cup day, when the Snoopy picture was taken

Nice win, Dawgs! Gingerbread construction. Fun and oh so messy

the best part - candy!