Twas The Night Before Christmas

And all through the house, there were adorable children, cuter than a mouse...






They quickly changed from party outfits to pj's, in hopes that St. Nick soon would be there...




When I came at them with my camera, there arose such a fight, even when I bribed with cookies to delight...






we managed to snap a few with all of them there, then to bed they were put with great care...





but not before some play time with Grammy and Po!

We hope your Christmas was as full of love as ours! Happy Holidays!

In A Word. Sweet.

Fina is 5 months old and I can hardly believe it. When I was pregnant with her, my sister Lauren, who has 2 boys and a girl told me "little girls are different. I love my boys so much but the energy that a girl gives off is different and so wonderful." As with most things, this was something I couldn't understand until I experienced it for myself. She was so right. My little girl gives off this pure energy that is best described as sweet. She smells so sweet I feel like I want to eat her up. Everything about her is sweet. She has stolen all of our hearts here at my house, we are all smitten.

She is developing rapidly. Sigh.... She has rolled over from back to tummy and we are pretty sure she is getting a tooth. So far, she is taking teething much better then her big brother, but we shall see. She has been swimming twice and seems to enjoy it. Naps are a bit off these days but napping schedules are non existent when we are on the go with Coopers busy schedule.

I have not been as good about updating lately because we have been very busy. Doug has been very busy with school, Cooper is in gymnastics now and with school and play dates, he has a full schedule. I am very excited to say that I am working on starting a photography business! It is consuming much of my energy right now but I am so excited to see where this creative adventure takes me.

We are looking forward to Christmas next week and all of the festivities around it. We have been celebrating advent with an "advent box" which has been filled with sweets and fun activities to celebrate the season.
Happy Holidays!

The Signs Are Everywhere...

Christmas time is here and the signs of it are all around me.


There is a wreath on our door...




There are little boys and little baby girls in matching Christmas PJ's. (Stay tuenned for photos of them matching with their cousins on Christmas eve)


There is a Christmas tree. Watch out Charlie Brown! We cut this one down from our front yard and with a little love, it looks great!


and Mommy and Daddy did some holiday wine tasting with friends. (yes we get out once and a while alone)

Cheers!!

Some Photos From Our Family Shoot

In October I photographed my friend G while she was preggo (she had a baby girl two days ago, Congrats!). On the same day, she took some family photos of us. She and I are both practicing our photography skills so it is a great trade off! I have waited to post them because I am sending one for our Christmas card and I wasn't sure which one and I didn't want to reveal it here first :)

Here are some of our favs. G did a fantastic job! I hope to photograph her new little bundle soon.






















This season makes me really appreciate what I have. I see these photos and they make me think about how happy I truly am. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family and I am so thankful for them. Happy Holidays!

The Santa Train

What a fun event! Our dear friends C and S have a little boy L, who is only 3 days older than Cooper. These boys are such sweet friends. They are very alike in personality and always have a blast together. What makes this friendship even more special is that Doug and C have been friends since they were 8 years old and C was Doug's best man. We are very blessed to have such wonderful friends! Anyway... getting back to the Santa Train.... they invited us to join and we are so happy they did.
As I have mentioned, Cooper is very into trains right now so this was the perfect event for him.


Two very excited little boys waiting for the train. Aren't they so cute holding hands?


The Santa Train!!


Looking out the window on the train.






Me and Fina playing on the train. Isn't her smile contagious?


Fina and Daddy


Our sweet girl

After about a 20 minute train ride, you arrive at the Northwest Railway Museum where you have hot coco and get to meet Santa Claus. What? No photos with Santa? Nope. Cooper was not interested in sitting in his lap, again. But, he did manage to tell him what he wanted from a safe distance. We purchased Cooper a train at the gift shop as a keepsake from the event. The photo below is very special to me and would be to anyone who knows our Cooper well. Ever since he was very small, he gets down to eye level with what he is playing with so that he can get a close look at the wheels. His new train was no exception. First chance he got, he drove the train along and got eye level with it to see how it worked. (I know you guys understand this Grammy and Po!)


Doug and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to snap a few cozy family photos...


Cooper and Fina did NOT...
o well. It was a great day!!
Happy Holidays!!! I just love this season!!!

Thanksgiving At The Farm House

This was the second Thanksgiving in a row that we spent at the Hansville Farm House. We had good food, played games, relaxed, and spent time with family. It was so cute to see Cooper be part of the "kid" pack and no longer a "baby". He played hide and seek and many other games day in and day out. He has been asking to go back to the farm house every day. On Friday we hit the beach which was beautiful but cold!
On Saturday we came back to Seattle and went on the Santa Train. Photos and stories of that adventure to come. So far the season has been wonderful.
So Thankful for my family and for our health.
Cheers!

Fina rocking with Daddy while he relaxed and read a book.


Me and my babies at the beach.

"The warmest blanket we ever had..."

Even at his most difficult, Cooper has NEVER been anything but loving toward his sister. Never a sign of jealousy or resentment. Lately, while she is playing on the floor he says "I am going to find the warmest blanket we ever had and put it on Fina." Then he proceeds to wrap her up with the blanket. Many times, he wraps her up, pulls up a pillow for himself and grabs a book to "read" to her. I was lucky enough to capture it with a short video. Not only is he wrapping her up with a blanket but he is wrapping her up in a love that can only exist between siblings. They are so blessed to have each other and I look forward to watching their relationship grow.

Seattle Snow Day

It has been a snowy few days here in Seattle. It is quite funny how Seattle simply shuts down when it snows. People can't and simply refuse to drive, businesses close, the main freeway was even shut down (seriously).
I don't know what it is about snow that is so magical but I absolutely love it. The minute I see the flakes falling I want to run outside and savor it and then sit inside and watch it. I like being snowed in. I remember as a kid, whenever it would snow, my best friend and I would immediately call each other (remember this, Sara?). Then we would usually walk to one or the others house and spend all day in the snow. I guess snow reminds me of a feeling I had when I was just a carefree kid. I now have the joy of sharing snow days with my kids.
Yesterday we went on a long walk and did a little sledding and even built a snow man. Doug and Coop had a snowball fight and Fina slept in the ERGO. Today, we had some good friends over and let the kids play in the snow in the yard, then sat around and chatted over a hot tottie while the kids played and bickered.
What a great way to kick off the Holiday season.
Cheers!


Getting ready to go out in her first snow.



Dado sledding.



Ready...

Set...

Go!


Mr. Snowman


Me and Fifi.


Daddy and his Girl looking at the snow.