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.

sunday morning nap

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

chillaxin'

nap time

Evidently a day spent with just Joel and the big kids was just a bit too much...

one

In case you missed it, Zeke turned one. What the what? How did that happen already? None of us can believe that Baby Z is officially Toddler Z now. Here is how his big day unfolded:


The day started with a trip to the park and a cookie...


...which Joel tried to steal.


Then some swinging time. His favorite park activity.


We got "booed" by some neighbors that afternoon. He was pretty excited about the candy. (Have you noticed his shirt yet? Aren't I crafty?)


He had mini bathtub cakes since that is his very favorite place to be.


And, as you can tell, he was pretty excited about his cake.


Still excited.


Not so sure yet about his cool new car.


There we go. Now he's happy.

Happy birthday, Zeke. We think you are pretty awesome!

trouble, part 2

Zeke has figured out that he can push the little chairs around to get things off the table, desk, and counter. He's quite proud of himself. Oh, and the blue tape on the wall behind him? We're not painting. We had to put it over the outlet because he likes to pull out the outlet covers that are supposed to keep him from electrocuting himself.

trouble, part 1

Zeke is quite the climber/explorer. This is where I found him this morning:

first shoes

Zeke's been "officially" walking for about a month now. He got his first pair of shoes on Saturday. We're working on getting a video of him walking but he's refusing to perform...

escape attempt

We're still working on all the pictures from our trips. To tide over everyone who is waiting with eager anticipation, here are 2 pictures of Zeke on our trip home. He alternately fussed/cried/screamed pretty much from the Oregon border until we pulled into the driveway. We stopped in Gig Harbor so I could nurse him (again!) and give him a little break. While we were waiting for Joel and Jonah to return from the bathroom I let him crawl around on the sidewalk. It was clear he was trying to escape the impending return to his car seat:

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!

things found and other news

Found in Zeke's diaper this morning (besides the obvious):
- The letters "e" and "g" (both on beads).
- 2 water balloons

In related news, we have begun throwing away anything the kids leave on the floor.

Speaking of Zeke...
- He now has 4 teeth (his first top one came in last week) and has 3 more coming in on the top.
- He has mastered the word "dada" and chants it at all times. He does use it appropriately, though, namely when yelling after Joel when he leaves the room or squealing it when he comes home. (Video to come as soon as we find the cables.)
- He accidentally took his first step a couple weeks ago. He is standing on his own but is still worried about picking his feet up. He did manage 2 steps last night when Joel was pretending to hold his waist. Still, not entirely purposeful.
- His favorite food is Shepherd's Pie. He devours it and screams until we give him more.
- He is fascinated with the bathroom and particularly likes flushing the toilet and unrolling the toilet paper.
- He crawls really, really fast.
- His hair has turned strawberry blond. His eyes are almost completely brown now.
- When he is tired or needs comforting he plays with our teeth.
- He loves baths in the tub with his brother and sister and splashes like crazy the whole time, soaking whoever is trying to wash him. (Again, video to follow soon.)

island seven

We are excited to introduce the newest members of our family: Phillis and Apple. Their adoption into our family was quite a spur of the moment thing; Jonah and I went to the pet store to "just look around" and walked out with the "guinea pig special." The kids love having little critters to take care of and the little critters seem to be a little less terrified of the kids every day (namely, Zekezilla, who stands at their cage screaming at them). Their favorite thing to do is play in the grass (well covered, for fear of eagles or owls swooping down) and eat dandelion leaves. The best part is that they don't smell that bad!


Phillis (with Annie) and Apple.


Jonah adores his pets.


Playing outside.


Phillis, munching on a leaf.


Zekezilla.
...
now spinning: new slang by the shins