Thanksgiving in Seattle

When we found out that my dad was going to be in Seattle for Thanksgiving we made plans to crash the party and join everyone else too

Wednesday while my sister's kids were in school we headed to the Children's Museum.  I can't even count how many children's museum's we have received FREE admission into because we bought a $25 pass to our local Boise Museum.  It was a well spent $25!

The girls spent a good couple of hours having fun in this museum

Grandma Deb spent lots of time figuring out the right width and length for her headbands so they would fit the girls.  They were excited when she finally figured it out and they got to be twiners

Thanksgiving Day we got to skype GG on the computer.  It was lots of fun!!!

Since it's usually just my sister and her little family on Thanksgiving they have a tradition of going to a restaurant on Alki Beach in Seattle for dinner.  Since we were the guests, we joined them in their tradition and enjoyed all the yummy foods that were offered at this amazing buffet

After dinner we took Derek's nickel tour of Seattle's finest sites

Friday morning we were greeted with a North Pole breakfast and the arrival of our elves from Santa

Allie was in shock that our elf Snowflake made her way to Seattle

We headed to the rec center to swim after our North Pole breakfast

Snow Flake Lane opened up while we were at my sisters.  Snow Flake Lane is a fun little parade that happens every night until Christmas through the streets of downtown Bellevue.  During the parade there are drummers that parade down the side walks playing all sorts of Christmas songs, while fake snow is being made and blown through the streets

We watched the parade from up on one of the sky-bridges

Down on the streets these drummers stood up on big barrels and looked like a drummer boy that had come alive.  I could have stayed out on the street all night soaking in the fake snow and listening to the music.  I love the kick off to Christmas right after Thanksgiving

After being outside we made our way inside the mall to meet some of the princesses.  The snow princess had  to coax Sophie into standing next to her by giving her the wand to hold

Saturday was our last day and we headed into downtown Seattle to enjoy the "tourist sites"

We first made our way to Pike Street Market to watch the flying fish and catch a ride on the famous pig

A new site I have never been to was the gum wall.  We all popped in some gum, chewed it up and found our own place on the wall for our gum.  Really disgusting but kind of cool too

One of our last stops in the city before we hit the road back home was the new ferris wheel out on the pier. The only one from my sister's family that wanted to ride was Miss Ainsley.  We bundled our family and Ainsely into the car and got a beautiful view of the city.  We had a great couple of days in Seattle.  Thanks to the Little's for letting us crash!

Turkey Trot

Our ward put on our second annual Turkey Trot for the kids.  The race course is a one mile loop around the school track.  New additions this year included a t-shirt and a photo shoot in the end.   I love the girls in my ward and all the prep they put into making such fun events for our kiddos



Allie prepping herself for the race

The start and finish sign revived from last year

They were off and there were only a few kids trampled over off of the start line



Allie completing her first of three laps

Sophie wanted to join in on the fun this year so she walked one lap with Blake.  When she got close to the finish line she let go of Blake and started to run; way to go Soph

Here are two of my turkeys after the race....my friend Brooke cut out lots of cute sign holders the kids could choose from for the picture.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Sophie Turns 2

Happy Birthday baby girl! You have grown up so much and are well beyond your years.  We should have guessed that at 9 months when you were saying "kitty" you were going to be a talker.  I have stopped tracking the words you say.  When the Dr. asked me at your 2 year check up if you spoke in 2 word sentences I just laughed.  You proudly stood up during your 2 year check up and belted out the ABC's to the Dr.  He got quite the earful from you during this check up and realized why I chuckled about you talking in 2 word sentences.  Some of my favorite phrases from you are

-Watch me
-I do it by myself
-who dat
-hold on
-do it time
-mamma let me do it
-I want a vwink of vwater



We love you Sophie girl and love all the crazy fun you bring into our house.  You love to sing loud and will sing to everyone everywhere we go.  You have so much energy it literally takes you hours to wind down at night time.  Usually around 10 pm we stop hearing you talk to yourself and hear the songs stop.  You are willing to share with everyone.  If someone asks you for something you don't hesitate to give it.  Someone once asked for your gum and you pulled it right out of your mouth and handed it over

Happy Birthday morning waffles

Being the middle child; Sophie's friends are through my friends.  We were able to hook up with your good friend Tenley and we played at Bounce for a few hours to celebrate the big day!

Your favorite food is noodles so we decided to go to the Spaghetti Factory for your birthday dinner.  One of  daddy's Young Men shared the same birthday with you so we picked him up and brought him with us

We wanted to have family over to celebrate your day but ended up doing this a few days later.  Allie helped me decorate the "ladybud" cake you proudly requested

The Givens Cousins and Grandma Barb came over to celebrate

Opening up presents

Daddy and Uncle Rod got right to work on your new bike

Once your bike was put together you were determined to cruise around on it that night.  Unfortunately you were an inch short in reaching your feet to the ground.  Hopefully by spring time you will be able to reach the ground  and keep up with the neighborhood kids

Sibling Love

Well we have had our days around here; teaching a wild rambunctious 2 year old how to be soft and gentle with her new brother who is soaking up all her mommy's time.  One of our problems was we placed Sophie in the middle of the bench seat in the car which put her right next to Will.  One day while I was driving the car there was a horrific scream from Will.  I could see Sophie had her hand in his car seat but all I could do was grab and hold her hand.  When the screams continued from Will and I could finally pull over the car I was shocked to find my poor baby.



It appeared he had been mauled by his sister.  It was all I could do to resist spanking Sophie.  I grabbed out Will and snuggled him and left Sophie strapped into the car while I cooled myself down and wanted to cry.  We immediately moved Sophie's car seat and have yet to have another mauling

We have tried to foster more of these scenarios....teaching Sophie to be soft and gentle

Allie has also helped model good behavior for Sophie



Sure love these 3 kiddos of mine.  I'm so grateful for all that they teach me and all I get to learn from their examples