Christmasy Things

This was Bryan's family advent calendar growing up. Each day the bear moves around the house, looking for presents. Connor would point to the number, and Deirdre would look on the house for the spot. For example, one day the bear looked under the stairs, do Deirdre found the stairs, and then Daddy pinned the bear on them.

Our Nativity Set was a combination of Veggie Tales and schleich animals.

Notice the Christmas triceratops.

Also, the Christmas lionness.

Daddy made one with Disney Cars.

Stockings hung over the fireplace. Those stockings were made by Bryan's mom and grandmother.

No presents were put under the tree until the kids were in bed Christmas Eve. Otherwise, they would have opened them.

Opening presents Christmas morning!

daddy Comes With Us To The Marine Center

Bryan finally joined us on a visit to the Bellingham Marine Center. It's only $1.00 per adult and 50 cents per child so it's a nice distraction on a rainy day.

Daddy didn't realise you can get so close to the octopus.

When he moved, he was red and smooth.

When he settled, he changed right before our eyes, becoming more spiky and lighter colored, like the rocks.

Connor has been on an octopus kick lately, so he loves this place.

Deeda showing Daddy the fish and crabs.

This is the first time this viewing dome has been clear, so the kids loved it.

Silly fishes!

Old Halloween Pictures

I just realised I never posted pictures from actual Halloween.

Daddy was a werewolf.

Connor rode a TRex. This was awesome. We had tried to make him a costume but it did not turn out, so on Halloween he was sad. Then he had some birthday money arrive in the mail, we took off for Target, and this was the last TRex costume, piled in a corner, in his size. PERFECT! And they both use it for dress up play now.

Deeda just wore her dragon costume.

The city community center put on a candy-free carnival for the kids.

Going fishing for a prize.

The kids did not like this monkey. Most of the kids there avoided it. Connor finally grew brave and played the game (bean bag toss) but then talked about the scary monkey for days.

Pumpkin bowling.

Stuffed toy toss.

Deeda getting her face painted.

The ghosts outside of the community center.

We played in the park with other kids until it got dark, then found a neighborhood nearby for a few blocks of trick-or-treating. It was a very fun night!

Merry Christmas!

Deirdre at a Healthcare Vigil

It Snowed in Bellingham!

2009 Birthday Party

Both children had pink eye and other unpleasantness for their birthdays, so we schedule a combined party while our friends, the Walkers, were visiting. We also had our nieghbors and their son, and a mama and her daughter from our Natural Mamas playgroup.

Mommy made felt birthday crowns.

We divided the birthday ring and put a 4 on one side and 2 on the other. Then the kids took turns picking what ornaments they wanted.

Connor blowing out candles on his cupcake.

Deirdre actually didn't like the candles!

Friends playing in the living room.

Daddy, Deirdre, Mommy, Connor, Hunter (our neighbor), Jillynn, Chris and Eve.

Thanksgiving 2009

Our dear friends, the Walkers, came to visit us from Utah.

We had a very traditional Thanksgiving meal of smoked salmon pesto pizza! The roasted chestnut soup was also scrumptious. That recipe was definitely a keeper.

Bath time!

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a ride on the Harvest Triceratops.

Sleepy cuddle time with Daddy.

Connor Ood

I had just finished crocheting a head for a doll and left a long tail of yarn to sew it to the body when Connor picked it up and said "like an Ood!" So we grabbed his stuffed squid/octopus (still haven't decided what it is) and took this picture.

And for reference, here is what an "Ood" looks like. It's a creature from the moden Doctor Who series. Connor LOVES LOVES LOVES Doctor Who.