11 months

Our baby girl is 11 months old today. I realized yesterday I hadn't taken any "official" portrait of her, as I try to do each month the first year, and so we threw her in the book bucket after naptime and put on her pretty hat (the pretty hat I was so excited about, but that she continuously pulls right off as quickly as I get it on!)

Something I wish I got on film (of the video variety) is when we were undecorating the tree and it started tipping over and I heard a little voice say "uh oh!" I looked through the branches only to find that it was the sweet little voice of Aspen! Now she will throw things on the floor and say "uh oh" because apparently, it is hilarious. Love her!

I have a few more pics I'd love to put up, but honestly, folks, I just don't have the time. Like the series of her ripping the hat off. And the cute little smiles where she squinches her nose all up and shows off the buds of her little teethers trying to break through (she did, I might add, get her two front teeth for christmas - just barely broke through, so not much to see, yet). It will be fun to see how she looks with a mouth full of chompers one of these days. (btw I love that my kids are "late" teethers - lots more time to enjoy that gummy goodness!) Anyway, I'll save those shots for our family album or her book.

But I did want to put up one, cuz she's just the cutest little button around. We love her so...and enjoy immensely watching her grow. I am enjoying being a mother and don't feel like rushing it. Having two close together was fun, but I am in no hurry to be done with the "childbearing" years. Even though my clock is a-tickin'. I want to enjoy it and not rush it. (do I hear an echo? do I say this every time I post about her growing a month older? I'm pretty sure I do!) Time, please slow down a little bit! We certainly are hoping and planning to add to our family all in good time, but, for now, we are just enjoying what we have ;) Too often I feel we are rushing to do this and that and forget to just enjoy what we have RIGHT NOW. Or maybe that's just me? Well, I have a Birthday Brunch to plan, invites to design, decorations to make, a couple of from-the-heart gifts to sew, and presents to wrap - all within a month of vacationing, our 4th wedding anniversary, my 34th birthday, and the usual busy-ness of life -- so I'll be signing off now. I'm not sure when I'll be back. I need a little break :)

Wishing everyone a wonderful and exciting new year ahead!

Christmas 2010

Christmas was fantastic.

Kind of sad it's all over ('til next year!)

We undecorated the tree tonight.

And are looking forward to new adventures in the New Year!

Okay, so I felt like I didn't take many pics, but really, I did. I always do, right? Maybe not the ones I envisioned, exactly, since my kids are little and not going to just sit there by the tree in the cute pajamas I made them just so I can take a picture of them - NO WAY! They were much too excited and ready to just DIG IN to Christmas! So, I set the camera down. But I did get some ;-)

First though, I have to share a story that is already a favorite memory...

We always try to do something for others for Christmas. Others...perhaps less fortunate than ourselves. Most of these "things" we keep private, because that makes it a treasured gift to us. However, I want to share one because it melted my heart as it was Sawyer's first time doing something like this on Christmas - first time that he "got" it, at least a little bit.

We frequent the public library. Sawyer loves the puzzle they keep on the table in the Children's area just about as much as the books when we go. The puzzle that is old and missing pieces, that is. So a few week ago, as we were sitting there, I suggested to him that perhaps we could give a new puzzle to the library for Christmas, so that all of the children who come could enjoy it. He LIT UP with excitement, so it was decided. I took him to the store to pick out a puzzle. He picked out a classic, beautiful, wooden puzzle of safari animals. We put a big ribbon and a bow on it, and he helped make a card explaining our gift. The night before Christmas Eve (since they would be closed for the next few days) I took Sawyer to find the Children's librarian and to give his gift. As my small little son handed over the gift, the librarian's eyes filled with tears. She explained to him that sometimes people cry when they are very happy. Oh man. When I saw her read our note and start to cry, I was touched too and a few tears welled up in my eyes. The librarian was so excited about the gift, she took Sawyer over to show the other librarians the gift. "I think Santa will be good to you this year, because you did such a nice thing for the library. Thank you." I appreciated the big deal they all made out of Sawyer's little act of kindness. Honestly, experiencing that small act of giving - and teaching - with my son was my greatest gift this Christmas. Thanks to my mother for teaching me how to give "those" kind of gifts.

The rest was fun, too...

there were pretty girls

and

lots of rockin' around the Christmas tree

two of my beautiful sisters were able to spend time with us

Aspen only wished she could sit at the kids' table for Christmas Eve dinner...she just loved the little animals I glued to the center of the make-shift table I made for Sawyer and Alyssa. Maybe next year?

Jacob was the chef extraordinaire. Admittedly, I did nothing but help set the table. He is amazing - and so was all of the food! My sister, Kaitlin, brought yummy pies for dessert, too!

The kids had a little gift exchange. It was the only gift they each got to open on Christmas Eve, and they were beyond excited.

I was excited to see how Alyssa would like the little apron I made to go with her cookware. I think it was a hit!

All Sawyer asked for was "Mater" (from the movie "Cars") and a candy cane from Santa. He's been talking about it for weeks.

We wrote a note for Santa and left him some cookies and milk.

He even wrote us a note back! And left both Mater and a candycane in Sawyer's stocking - lucky boy!

Santa also left both of the kiddos Sock Monkeys. Sawyer has already named his "Pirate"

I made a big girl apron for Tia. By the way...it was HILARIOUS having her here, and seeing how confused the kids were. They were genuinely confused! After a day, Sawyer would walk up to one or the other of us and ask "are you Mommy? are you Tia?" and finally after a while, he would point, decidedly, and say "YOU are Mommy! and YOU are Tia!"

oh yea, the pajamas. I made these cute little vintage-y Christmas pajamas for the kids and gave them to them the first day of December to wear all month. I am usually not into seasonal attire, but I found this near-linen print that reminded me of wrapping paper my grandparents used to use, and so I thought I'd make pjs to wrap up two of my favorite things in this Christmas. (although for Sawyer, a shirt is at time optional ;-)

there's really so much more I could say. But I'll leave it at that. It was a nice Christmas - we skyped with family and we missed having our extended family around us, but we also had a marvelous time starting some of our own family's Christmas traditions in our own home.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas - and as the new year rolls around this weekend - Happy New Year to all!

Do You Believe?

Below you can read the original editorial that, years later, inspired the magical Christmas movie, "Miracle on 34th St." To learn a little more about the origin of this true story and little Virginia O'Hanlon, read here.

I know there are some out there who choose not to believe in Santa or teach their children about him, for various reasons. HOWEVER, to me, there is a very important lesson to be learned in believing in something you might never "see". I still believe in Santa Claus (just ask Jacob!) Some of the reasons are spelled out so beautifully in this editorial, so if you haven't read it before, I hope you will read it now. I hope as you read it, your heart may be touched by what the true spirit of Christmas is: a reflection among others of Christ-like and Christ-inspired love. Every time I read this to Sawyer, I get teary. My heart is touched by this magic that can be so real this especially during this time of year, and all through the seasons of our lives.

Merry Christmas!

*************************************************************************************

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Advent 2010: Week Three

This week, it was Sawyer's turn to be sick :( I guess the good thing about having had both of the kids' sick is that they're getting it overwith before Christmas :) This week, in spite of 3 days being home sick, we still...

Talked about and decided on the "special gifts" we are going to give this Christmas (ie to those in need and to our community)

Had a Hot Chocolate Party

Delivered poinsettia plants to some special people

Listened to some of our favorite Christmas Music

Drove down to Tacoma for a fun evening at the Point Defiance Zoolights and a fun visit with Uncle Taylor, Aunt Kaitlin, and cousins Alyssa and Alexandra (thanks so much you guys!)

Visited the Reindeer, Camel, Donkey & Trains at Swanson's Nursery (twice!)

...and we're headed downtown this evening to decorate Christmas Cookies this evening with some friends

We started the week off at Swanson's Nursery and ended it there as well. Our kiddos would be happy to go every day to Swansons!

Mama's pretty little flower fit perfectly into this big planter!

Both Sawyer and Aspen love to look at our Nativity Scene. Sometimes I have to hold myself back from gasping when I notice that Sawyer has pulled up a chair to the set and is picking up the pieces to admire (I don't want to discourage the conversation we can have during such a moment, but at the same time, don't want him to drop and break one of the pieces! ahhh, 2 year olds!) Anyway, it has been a treasure how Sawyer looks forward to reading about baby Jesus each night. Because of our kids' ages, this year instead of our usual advent readings, we just read books about Jesus and we read the St. Luke version of The Christmas Story - pretty much every night. We read by candlelight, and Sawyer loves to blow out the candles when we're done and ready for bed. He is so excited each night, it makes me think we should just read our family scriptures each day by candlelight all year round :) But the candles are what make this time of year - and the focus on the Christmas Story - so magical.

I can hardly believe we are so close to Christmas! This season is flying by - and there is still much fun to be had!

Adventures in Babysitting...

Today, Aspen's favorite babysitter came over.

Or maybe I should say, her biggest fan?

This darling little girl from church is in love with Aspen. She asks all of the time if she can hold her, and she always offers to babysit.

Well, she barely turned five.

(a wee bit too young to babysit, alone, right?)

Today presented the perfect opportunity: her mom needed an hour to do a couple of things without kids around - so I volunteered to have and her little sister come over to play and to "babysit". Honestly, this girl totally reminds me of myself at her age. I was so in love with babies. (Still am!)

I babysat (alone - well, my twin sis was there also) my first time at age SEVEN. I have a copy of the check to prove it ($5) thanks to my mom. Yep, a toddler and a newborn - isn't that crazy? I guess I was destined to be a nanny...and later a momma... :)

Have I mentioned yet that Sawyer is in LOVE with this "older" woman? TOTALLY. When he heard she was coming over, he got this big grin and told me he wanted to get married in the temple. In fact, he asked the girls if they would like to build a temple out of legos...I guess we've really drilled it into him! Fine with me...Let's just wait a few years?!

Anyway, I seriously considered leaving the four of them upstairs to vacuum downstairs just so she could get her "real" babysitting done, but if I moved an inch away from Aspen, she started freaking out.

She sang, she danced, she brought over lots of toys,

and even played

her favorite game of

peek

a

boo!

I guess Aspen is a Momma's girl.

And her biggest fan learned that perhaps babysitting isn't all it's cracked up to be. (Yet).

Overall, though, we had fun. I realized we have NO girl toys. I think that will change in a week or so :)

Thanks to Aspen's biggest fan for being such a good babysitter. Come on over anytime!

ps- I'll be seein' ya the next two weeks in CTR-4!

Advent 2010: Week Two

The week got a bit of a slow start with Aspen running a high fever for three days, so we were house-bound for half the week. But then, when our girl was feeling her stellar self again, we made up for it.

This week, we:

Baked some goodies to share with others

Celebrated a little friend's birthday AND saw the Train Village at the Seattle Center's Winterfest

Listened to some live Christmas Music

Had a "family movie night", popped kettle corn, and enjoyed that mean one, "Mr. Grinch"

Jacob and I enjoyed our date night out and saw the play "The Very Best Christmas Pageant EVER!" at the Greenlake Bathhouse Theatre (a wonderful production, btw).

We went to a Christmas Party (at our church)

We even hosted a little Christmas Party after watching the Christmas Ships at the beach by our house with a bunch of our favorite people.

And, we did a couple of Christmas Crafts...

one of which is this wreath I made for our front door.

I had been looking around for DIY wreath ideas for a few weeks, and I found a few great ideas, and some of them were pretty overwhelming. I love to "browse" all of the handmade goods on Etsy, and I'm not even sure how I stumbled upon Anna Hailey's shop. But I loved her stuff and decided I'd try my hand at a yarn+felt inspired wreath. Seriously, it was an easy and fun project. Took me just a couple of hours one evening. It cost me about $10 to make and I get the satisfaction of having created something unique for our home - although I totally ripped off her idea. (sorry Anna!) I wasn't sure if I'd love it...but I actually really like how it turned out. It adds just the right splash of color to our white door :)

Here is Sawyer watching the trains...

and Aspen's first time at the Train Village.

She spotted her first train going by!

I just love seeing my kiddos faces light up. It's the best gift!

Thanks to the handful of AWESOME families and GREAT friends who joined us on the beach this evening to watch the Christmas Ships and hear the Carols. And for warming up our home and allowing me to get excited about a little party. It is such a blessing to be surrounded by such wonderful people and marvelous friends!

I hope everyone else had a festive, fun - or at least, relaxing, - weekend!

Lunchtime today...

Excuse the messy faces, please - but during lunch today we were having so much fun playing peek-a-boo, I didn't take the time to clean off their faces before snapping a few to remember the moment.Oh, and yes, she now rips off her bib (wonder who taught her that?) so I think my next little stitchery project will be some new bibs with SNAPS (the current ones have velcro...)!

It just kills me when Aspen puts one chubby little hand up by her eye - or ear - and thinks she's hiding from us. SO FUN! I love that they like to play this game together. Love it, actually!

The small and beautiful moments amidst what sometimes seems like the daily mundane, yes...those are the best :)

ps-if you look really closely in the second image, you can barely see the tip of Aspen's first tooth!

Advent 2010: Week One

Thus far, we have:

"Decked our Halls"

Mailed our Cards and Packages

Finished (most) hand-made gifts

Enjoyed lights, music, food, and friends at Figgy Pudding

Marched to the drum line down Bellevue's Snowflake Lane

Enjoyed Hot Chocolate a la mode (w/ peppermint ice-cream)

Read LOTS of Christmas books

and even wrapped a few gifts and put them under the tree.

Not bad for the first week!

Below enjoy a few images from downtown last Friday night. Thanks to the Judkins for joining us!

It was a great start to our advent. Sawyer gets excited every night to burn our candles and read about Jesus (and maybe Mr. Grinch, too) We usually read about Jesus and then he picks out a few other books from our STACK under the tree. I put a ton of Christmas books on my cue at the public library, thinking I might wrap them and have him open one each night. BUT. He is fine with the gifts under the tree and hasn't tried unwrapping any (neither has Aspen, surprisingly!) and I didn't want to focus toooo much on the "presents". So we just put the books under the tree and that is a treat enough ;)

Sadly, the past two days little Aspen has had a high fever. Tomorrow we'll go to see the doc since it's been 72 hours. Poor little girl. We didn't make it to Swanson's this morning b/c she's sick. Hopefully soon she'll be better because we've got some FUN stuff planned this week and weekend!

10 Months Old

In the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season, I don't want to forget to note that Aspen is now 10 months old.

Isn't she cute?

We think so :)

It is such a sight to behold little babes as they discover the wonder and magic of lights on the Christmas tree.

We invested in shatter-proof ornaments several years ago and boy are we glad we did! We don't have to worry about the kids getting hurt or ornaments breaking. In fact, we don't mind if she bats at the "balls" to see how they swing or see her reflection looking back at her. Truthfully, though, we are just lucky that our kids adore the tree so much they don't tear it apart.

We have a bell from Santa's sleigh on our tree, Polar Express Style.

Any other Believers out there?

Can you hear it???

Sweet Aspen,

You are getting so big, so fast.

This month, your first tooth erupted. Your brother says sometimes, "Look, her teeth are coming out!"

You are so excited to keep up with your brother and you love him sooooo much.

You are getting much more into finger foods these days and you loooove graham crackers, bananas, avocados, and whole milk (cream top maple and vanilla...mmmmm) yogurt.

You clap your hands in a very lady-like fashion.

You sign - and now say - "all done".

You say HI, ALL DONE, MAMA, and DADA

You have the very cutest giggle.

You can stand unassisted for several seconds now and I think it's safe to say you'll probably be off and running by your birthday.

Your birthday....

I can't believe it's coming up! I've been thinking about it and now I am starting to plan your first party.

You are so so cuddly and snuggly.

You still sleep right between Mama and Daddy most nights.

Sawyer is getting excited for you to come share his room...

I think Daddy would be okay with it, too...

but me, well, it's cozy sharing sleep with you and it's a special bonding and reconnecting time I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing with you.

I suppose I could go on and on about how much we love having you in our lives...but I should really get to bed because it's late.

One more thing, though -

your first pigtails.

OH MY CUTENESS!

Have a magical first Christmas my sweet girl,

Love always,

Mama