December has flown by and tomorrow is New Year's Eve...2013. Almost one year ago, we flew from England to North Carolina to Washington. I've blogged about all the new experiences of living in the Pacific Northwest over this past year and have really had fun keeping the blog current with happenings, celebrations, and daily-life posts, and lots of photos. Here's a photo recap of how we spent our December.
For starters, we walked through Bellevue's "Snowflake Lane," which is almost too much to describe, so you'll just have to see it for yourself...
 |
The street was filled with all kinds of winter folk, like
this friendly penguin. |
 |
Drummers were spaced about 20 feet apart and standing up
on pedestals down both sides of the main street. |
 |
| Merrit dancing with Rudolph. |
 |
One afternoon, while Merrit had a playdate at his friend
Aidan's house, Ollie and I had special mommy-son time
putting together a super cute gingerbread house. Fun! |
 |
| "One for the house....one for me....one for the house..." |
 |
Extreme close-up. Ollie really liked the little sugar people that came with
the gingerbread house kit I picked up at Trader Joe's. |
 |
Last month Merrit finally had enough money saved up
from allowance and birthday money to buy the mini iPad
that he's been saving up for. He's enjoying it! Love
those Kindle book downloads. |
 |
We decorated the tree on the weekend of December 15-16. Merrit picked
it out this year. He did a great job! It was a beautiful tree. We tried to get Ollie
to put the star on top... |
 |
| ...Then Merrit gave it a go. |
 |
| ...Eventually, Mike had to seal the deal. |
 |
| A beautiful tree for Christmas, 2012. |
 |
It's been chilly and rainy this month, and a little
snuggle time on the couch after a wet walk home from
school is just right. |
 |
We didn't really decorate too much. The tree, a wreath for the front door,
and this mantle inspired by natural materials--berries, pinecones, and evergreens. |
 |
One morning Ollie decided to make oatmeal. I came up
the stairs to find that he'd dragged out my big stock
pot and poured in a whole container of rolled oats.
Wow, someone's hungry! |
 |
Ollie, following in big brother's and mommy's footsteps
is beginning to be a big helper in the kitchen.
Here, he's halving cherry tomatoes with a butter knife. |
Ollie, practicing more big words...
 |
Ollie's preschool class invited me to come for a
gingerbread-man-decorating and hot-cocoa-sipping
holiday party. All the kids--and parents--had fun! |
 |
| Ollie's gingerbread man. Very interpretive. |
 |
Ollie counted out three scoops of cocoa mix and stirred
it up after one of his teachers, Ms. Lori, poured in hot water. |
 |
| Ollie's preschool friends at the party. |
 |
Ms. Molly (right) and all the kids pose for a class picture after a Christmas
story and some songs. Ollie's in the back row at the far left. |
 |
The four of us kicked off our "family Christmas" on Friday night, Dec. 21.
We made sugar cookies and baked them. |
 |
We all cut out some cookies and put them on the baking sheet.
I love Christmas cookies! After the cookies were baked, we made popcorn
and watched "James and Giant Peach." The next morning, Saturday, was
our morning to open presents with the kids. |
 |
| Still dark outside but the kids are up and raring to go! Merrit played Santa. |
 |
| He's got an armload full! |
 |
| Star Wars Legos! |
 |
A Jedi Starfighter from daddy!
|
 |
A lovely, snuggly warm fleece bathrobe from Nanny
to replace the Ninja Turtles one that Merrit has literally worn out! |
 |
| He loves it! The perfect gift. :) |
 |
| Ollie opening his stocking. Pocky! |
 |
| Merrit really likes his Angry Birds winter hat. |
 |
| Mike is checking out his new Kindle and Merrit's trying on new red mittens. |
 |
Ollie's Angry Birds hat (which he left in the taxi on our
way to the airport the very next morning). |
 |
Sunday morning...time to fly to NC.
Here's something you don't see everyday. Had to take a pic. |
 |
| Obviously, everyone is super excited to be in NC for Christmas. |
 |
| The boys took a trip to Lake Tomahawk to feed the ducks and geese. |
 |
| Biscuit and gravy time...Oh yeahhhhhh! |
 |
| Ollie and Uncle Rocky at breakfast. |
 |
| A walk in the woods with Nanny and Papa. |
 |
| Ollie and daddy at the go-kart track...How exciting for Ollie! |
 |
Is it just me, or is Ollie getting so big?!
(playing putt-putt) |
 |
| On the swings at Robert Lake Park in Montreat, always a favorite spot. |
 |
| Merrit pumping those strong legs. |
 |
| Swinging. |
 |
| Guitar Hero at Uncle Rocky's. Ollie, the headbanger, rocking out. |
 |
| I love this picture...Ollie and his Aunt "Rita" (Durenda). |
 |
| It's all just so exciting. |
 |
| Merrit got to play Santa for the second time in a week. |
 |
Another beautiful tree at Nanny and Papa's house.
Merrit, Holly dog, and Aunt Lisa. |
 |
| Last day in NC....off to the indoor soft play! |
 |
| Sliding! |
 |
Bumper cars! Oh my goodness, these boys have had a blast with Nanny,
Papa, and the rest of the family this week in NC. Tomorrow, it's back
on a plane, heading for Seattle.
Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year. |
