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.

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.

seattle staycation

We had VBS at our church in Seattle a few weeks ago and James and Cristie were generous enough to let us stay with them for the week so we didn't have to ferry back and forth. We had a fabulous time...the kids were in heaven with the trampoline, tree house, water guns and of course, Tim, Micah and Brendan. The week went by way to fast. We're all wondering when we'll get to visit again.


Zeke ate watermelon (and everything else in sight) virtually non-stop.


Tree house + trampoline = hours of fun.


Trying to beat the heat.


Zeke turned 9-months and got his standard cake from Joel.


Annie v. Micah

catching up

We have 3 weeks worth of pictures and a couple of trips to blog about...Seattle, Portland, Beverly Beach, Cannon Beach, Annie's birthday...IslandFive has been busy. Today will be spent making the 3-tier it's-not-a-wedding-cake-it's-a-birthday-cake cake for Annie's party tomorrow. More on that later. For now, here are some pictures from her birthday.

We planned on spending 2 nights in Portland for her birthday and maybe going to the zoo or science center. But, after a surprising case of the flu for Annie & Jonah the day before her birthday, we wound up driving down on the morning of her birthday instead. That didn't leave us too much time to do things but she didn't seem to mind.


We're still having a hard time believing she is actually 7 and will be starting 2nd grade in just a few weeks!


The much anticapted Chrissa doll. Thanks to Grammy & Grampy who chipped in to help us get her!


The one thing she wanted to do was mini-golf. Unfortunately, it was 97 degrees with no shade while we were golfing, so after 3 holes she wanted to go home! Luckily, the fun center had plenty of food and video games in an air conditioned oasis which made everyone happy.


We think they are pretty cute.


She was so excited to do the super trampoline...she's been talking about it ever since she went on one at Whistler 3 years ago!


Jonah was a little unsure about it. He was also completely red and dripping sweat when he was done!

salt creek '09

We just returned from our 2nd Annual Salt Creek Camping Extravaganza. 4 adults + 8 kids = all kinds of fun...

Fabulous weather.
Dylan riding on 2 wheels.
Malvaviscos gigantes.
Deep fried bacon for breakfast.
"Where's Halle?"
Candy, chips, soda. Repeat.
Jackson riding on 2 wheels.
Rock beach.
Playground.
Bikes, bikes, bikes.
Sidewalk chalk.
Exploding espresso pot.
Amazing friends.

We came home with like 5,000 pictures (well, not really, but still...there were a lot) so I'm feeling pretty good about myself for narrowing them down to 24 pictures for your viewing enjoyment!


Our awesome white trash campsite.


"Where's Halle?" Down at the neighobor's site again.


Sous chef helping with the blueberry pancakes.


Right before he decided to dive over the top of the cooler and do his first face plant of the weekend.


Tide pool.


Soren.


Jonah.


Dylan.


Annie.


Dinner.


Making the kids do the dinner dishes.


The most gigantic marshmallows ever.


Zeke wants the gigantic marshmallow. (Joel, the undisputed Chubby Bunny champ, will definitely not be stuffing 16 of these in his mouth.)


Luka and gigantic marshmallow.


Annie and Dylan roasting gigantic marshmallows.


Annie and gigantic marshmallow s'more.


Annie, Dylan, Jackson, Jonah.


The sidewalk chalk provided hours of entertainment.


I accidentally deep fried the bacon. Boy, was that stuff good!


Kids.


Hail, hail, the gang's all here.


Zeke.


I couldn't ask for better friends. (Awww...)


Can't wait for next year.
...
now spinning: chasing cars by snow patrol