Camano Island

On Sunday we headed up to Camano Island for a little adventure. Here are a few pictures from our stop at the state park.

Christmas Day

We hosted Christmas brunch at my house which was really fun, but made for a very busy morning. Blake woke up and we opened a few gifts, then I needed to get a few things started in the kitchen. Blake noted that I had put out my china for the occasion and he wanted some "coffee" (steamed milk with vanilla) in fine china as well. I'm not sure why, but I let him and he did a great job of being careful.

Blake being very careful with his coffee cup.

A pre-brunch breakfast at his new table and chairs.

Let the opening begin!

One of the highlights for Blake was this spiderman fishing pole Santa brought. They managed to catch me...in the face (it's only a plastic fish on the end, but still!) and one of my crystal champagne flutes. Santa forgot to leave a note saying fishing poles are outside toys.

Blake giving Lou his Christmas gift.

Grammy and Grandpa with the kids...watching all of us grownups open our gifts!

We had so much fun with Blake this Christmas, it was fun to see Blake get excited about Santa and all of the events surrounding the holiday. I am going to miss him singing Christmas carols all day long (although I think it may be March before he stops). We also felt so lucky to have little Georgia with us this year. I am sure next year will be even merrier with one more little one to help us celebrate!

Cookies for Santa

Putting out cookies for Santa was one of the funnier moments of Christmas for Chad and I. Sometimes it is clear we are still beginners at this parenting job (I don't think most parents we're letting their 2.5 year old kids pick out cookies for Santa at 9:45 p.m. Christmas eve.) We had arrive home later than planned from my parent's house, and since Blake was still wide awake we figured we'd go ahead with cookies and a reading of "The Night Before Christmas" before we tried to get Blake to bed. Me: "Hey Blake, those cookies are for Santa" Blake: "No Mama, cookies are for Blake, I love cookies."

We finally made it to the living room with some cookies and milk for Santa. Chad handed the plate to Blake....

.....and they all fell on the floor. Looking back, this may have been intentional!

He took a bite of each cookie as he set them back on the plate.

Santa's half eaten cookies.

And then he took a few swigs of Santa's milk...why not?

All done with Santa's treats.

Sugar rush at 10 p.m. Next year we'll start a little earlier!

Christmas Eve Dinner

We all headed to my parent's house for Christmas Eve dinner. It was a fun night with fabulous food. We brought plenty of entertainment for Blake and he was on his best behavior. He LOVED Grammy's tree, but he didn't touch one ornament. The Pittman Family
Grandpa with Blake and Georgia. Blake is offering Georgia his ornament to cheer her up.

Blake and Auntie telling some secrets.

Alison and Blake watching Frosty while Georgia takes a snooze. Blake and Grammy

Bellevue Botanical Gardens

Chad had to work late tonight, so I thought I'd take Blake to the Botanical Gardens. We arrived around 6:30 along with everyone else on the Eastside. Blake was excited to go, but he was hoping to see Santa in the gardens. It was a great display and a nice night to be outdoors.

The vineyard

Blake taking in the lights.

See this large, beautiful display way across the field...well my son decided to hop the ropes and make a mad dash for the lights. Picture around 50 people standing in front of this display watching me, 6 feet tall and 5 months pregnant, chase Blake around. There was lots of laughing and then some cheers when I finally caught him. (In all honesty, I was laughing hysterically too.) Glad we could provide some entertainment...next year Chad is coming with us!

My Favorite Little Elf

Having a two and a half year old at Christmas time is pretty fun. I'm almost over the broken ornaments. (me: Blake what are you doing?!?!!? Blake: I'm bamming the "orments" with my hammer. You wouldn't believe the damage a two year old can do with a plastic hammer...) Oh, and the Holy Family made of clay has had a rough year as well, Gabriel is missing his head, an arm and a wing and we are on the look out for two missing Wise Men. But other than that we've been having a blast. Blake LOVES to sing "Christmas Tree Songs". I have been really impressed with how much he has picked up over the last month. He'll sing Oh Christmas Tree, Santa Clause is Coming to Town ("you better be good for goodness snake") and a rendition of Joy to the World only a mother could understand. We also hear a LOT of Jingle Bells. Over all it has been a really fun couple of weeks. My little elf in only a Santa hat :)

Singing his heart out!

Snowflake Lane

Grandma Jean came to visit for a couple of days this week and we went to Snowflake Lane last night while she was still in town. When we told Blake where we were going, he was most excited to meet Frosty.

Chad and Blake checking out all of the action. Out of all the drummers, snow, penguins, snowmen, etc. I think Blake enjoyed his sucker most of all.

We finally got to go meet Frosty.

This was the best picture I got of the hug...

Santa Train

Saturday morning we headed to North Bend with the Oberst family to ride the Santa Train. I made the mistake of telling Blake about it on December 1st...and I heard about it for the next 11 days. There were even some tears because we couldn't go RIGHT NOW. So the big day finally came, Santa and a train, what could be better. Chad and Blake on the train.
This guy is 80 years old and said singing Christmas carols on the train is his favorite part of the year.

Blake loves Santa, he walked right over, turned around so Santa could pick him up and happily sat down. He won't talk to Santa though, maybe next year :)

Blaine didn't love Santa quite as much, but it makes for a pretty classic picture!

Hot coco and a cookie after seeing Santa may have been the highlight for Blake.

The Oberst Family

The Pittman Family

Sad to leave, Blake talked about going back on the Santa Train the whole way home.

Breakfast with Mr. Bear

Blake has never been attached to anything....except me that is. No pacifiers, no blankies, nothing. Recently, he decided this giant teddy bear would be the perfect thing to carry around with him. (Along with the Elmo on the counter.) They don't leave the house, but we usually have to hunt for them before bedtime. The other day Blake decided to bring Mr. Bear to breakfast and share his pears :)

Keeping Warm

Chad put up some of our Christmas lights last weekend.

What better to keep warm! We accidentally left the tv on downstairs the other day, and when we all came back down Snoopy's Christmas Special was on....so Daddy got suckered into snuggling and watching Snoopy. Blake has asked to "snuggle Daddy, watch Snoopy" every day this week.

Cousins

Blake finally got to meet Georgia today. I have been going to visit Georgia by myself so Alison could get a few things done, which I knew would not happen with Blake around. Blake was semi-interested in Georgia, he thought her swing was pretty cool. He did a great job of holding her so I could get a few pictures.