we've moved

Yet again. You can find our new permanent home here.

skiing!

Instead of a lot of toys for Christmas this year, the kids each got one thing from Santa and then we did a ski weekend as a family present (I don't even want to think about how last year, after opening all her presents Annie, put them all in a box and shoved it in her closet. Sigh.). We headed up to Snoqualmie Pass on Christmas day and spent 4 days reading, sledding, watching movies (on laser disc!), eating, skiing, and to top it all off, pushing the car back up the snowy hill.

Annie and Jonah had 2 days of ski school and they both had a great time. We were a little concerned about Annie because she a) doesn't like sports at all and b) doesn't like to be cold. Our fears turned out to be unfounded as she wound up on the chair lift on her first day and had a ball. Jonah loved riding the "Magic Carpet" and working on his turns. He was excited to find out today that he moved up to the next level so he'll get to go on the chair lift next time. Zeke loved having Joel and I all to himself and discovered the joys of sledding. He even mastered the "more" sign while sledding - after he would get to the bottom of the hill he would giggle and then do the sign frantically until we pulled him back up. They are already begging to go back up...


Looking super cute in their matching Helly Hansens.


Not too happy about the snow suit...


But much happier going down the sledding hill by himself.


Ready to walk up to ski school.


Annie coming down the hill.




Riding the Magic Carpet.


Working on his turns.

a very happy christmas

The elves left jammies out on the porch on Christmas Eve. Jonah was excited.


Annie learned the truth about Santa this year and was very excited to stay up and help set out the presents.


Zeke was very excited about the Teddy Grahams in his stocking...


and Annie's Fur Real Kitty.


New suitcases packed with ski clothes.


Annie and the Fur Real Kitty.


Christmas dinner at the cabin we rented up at Summit Central.

jonah says

"I thought we were friends. But I guess we don't like each other anymore!" (Said when I told him he had to eat some more of his eggs.)

"Jesus is the biggest, the baddest, and the awesomest!"


Listening to the new Muse song and practicing his air guitar.

sunday morning nap

Zeke took a good nap at church this morning...

we love a parade

Really, there's not a lot of things that are better than hopping on the ferry at 7:05 in the morning, finding a good piece of sidewalk in downtown Seattle, warming up with a cup of hot cocoa, and watching the Day After Thanksgiving Parade. It's cold. It's crowded. It's what we do. Then we spend the day in the city, eating, finding a toy store, watching a movie (this year it was Fantastic Mr. Fox), and ending it all with the Westlake tree lighting and fireworks. It's always one of my favorite days of the year.


Waiting for the parade to start.


Here comes the parade!


A clown gave Zeke a balloon and he couldn't have been happier.


Waiting for the light rail.


Walk in Columbia City...the day was beautiful!


Jonah showing off his new treasure - a glass rhino.


Waiting for the fireworks.

chillaxin'