Christmas Day

We did not have an official white Christmas, but were blessed with snow Christmas morning. It was the beautiful, huge, very wet flakes that sort of dissolve once they hit the ground. It made the morning magical.

We were blessed to have Great Grandpa B and Lulu join us (for the second year in a row) for an early breakfast where we dined on my first ever homemade cinnamon rolls (with candles to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus), opened gifts, and had breakfast before church. It was wonderful and we are enormously grateful to have Beryl and Louise so nearby to celebrate with.

Ava's high fever became a super high fever (103-105) on Christmas Day. What a bummer for the first Christmas she could really enjoy! She spent the better part of the day being held.


Grandpa B making the first transaction of Christmas morning


Special gift from Cousin Maddie


Ava was so sweet and really tried hard to be a part of it all. Here she is playing with Lulu. She was a very good sport, but got progressively worse until her fever broke early the next morning.


Henry enjoying his new Motor Trend calendar with Grandpa B


Henry enjoying his cool new ball from Grandpa B and Lulu!

Christmas Eve

We had the privilege of continuing the tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve at my parent's house this year. Ava was not feeling well (high fever), but she was a good sport about it all. We had a delicious dinner and many gifts, though Henry was satisfied with the first one he opened--a cash register. He was (and is still) in love. However, his first love, cars, still reigns supreme in his life.


Our sweet, sick girl getting snuggles from her Gigi


Hugs from Great Grandpa Bob and Sharon (givers of the cash register)



The most hilarious gift of the holiday--a new binki from Aunt Holly--priceless


Love from Auntie--she loves to spoil our kids!


The prized cash register and its captain.

Our Shining Star

Henry performed in his first ever Christmas program yesterday. The program was comprised of two 3 year old classes, two 4 year old classes and one kindergarten that make up his school (which is located at a Lutheran church in Salem). The program was performed in the church sanctuary. It was priceless. We didn't really know what to expect but it was the Christmas story (complete with kindergarteners in costume reciting scripture) with songs in between. The nativity scene was right next to Henry and he was obviously intrigued with it as he would turn to look at it often. He was (I'm sure strategically) standing next to Miss Maren, one of his teachers to whom he gives a warm hug at the end. We were blessed to have so many family members join us. Ava enjoyed them too (she is a little social butterfly). It was a wonderful evening. Below are a few clips so you can see for yourself! Henry is in khakis and a navy sweater. Enjoy!

Hen-EEEEE

When both kids nap, Ava generally wakes up first (as she sleeps longer at night) and the first word she utters upon awaking is her brother's name (pronunciation noted in title). When I explain he is sleeping, she is not deterred and proceeds to knock and call out his name at his door. When it doesn't open, she is overcome with sadness...here is the photo progression...(thankfully Henry is a very sound sleeper).

Happy Birthday to Aunt Holly!

My sister, Holly, celebrated her birthday with Henry and Ava close at hand.



Ava helping to open presents



Trying on Auntie's new ski helmet



Hamming it up!

Christmas Wonderland

Today we went to the Christmas Wonderland in Albany (a town about 20 min. south of Salem). It is a free event (you can bring canned food to donate--but it is totally free!) put on by a group of volunteers that love Christmas and has been going and growing for over 30 years. It is perfect for young kids as there are many Christmas scenes and running train sets--even Santa! It is all indoors (but not heated) and is lined by lit trees (hung from wires) that were donated by Weyerhaeuser (how resourceful they are!). The kids had a great time and the weather was very cold but sunny.



Honestly, this bear is the biggest stuffed animal I have ever seen. It completely dwarfs any fair prize I have ever seen. Ava LOVED it!

Rain, rain come again another day...

It was raining the other day and we went to get the mail. On the way back we encountered a new discovery...the storm drain grate. It was the source of much awe and fascination. I am amazed at how I see the world differently through their eyes.

Ava loved reaching over the curb to touch the running water.




Henry loved splashing in the puddles!

Growing up

Friday we attended a birthday party for Henry's friend Sam (who turned 4). It was at the Kids Club and everyone had a great time. It was my first eyewitness account of Henry cooperatively playing with another child he has never met before. I had to capture it (though the photo quality isn't great). This little girl and Henry were cooperatively building something (I didn't get close enough to hear so as not to disrupt their 'work'), but each clearly had a role and contribution. It was an amazing thing to witness.


Sam, the birthday boy



Cooperation 101



The birthday feast!

She's learning to climb, but she aint got wings...

Ava has entered the treacherous climbing stage. While she has excellent balance and rather good judgment she is more prone to bumps and bruises these days as she is great at getting up and not as skilled at getting down. I walked around the corner the other day and found her like this...she was so proud of herself!

Deck the Halls

We were blessed with a weekend of sun and so we ventured out early Friday morning to embark on a Sanders family tradition...the cutting of our Christmas Tree. For the first year ever we made this a family affair. It was very cold but VERY fun! We spent the rest of the weekend finishing the decorating (which is the earliest we've ever done it and may be the only year this happens) and we are all looking forward to enjoying them through the Christmas Season!



At one point while we were trekking through the tree farm Henry asked are we going to get a big tree? I answered 'Yes!', thinking that a 6 ft. tree must seem big to a 3 year old. Then he looked up and pointed at this tree and said in his most sincere voice, "That one?". Carl and I almost fell over with laughter. Priceless...


The Grand Tree Master and his best helper



Santa's little helpers

Henry is so much more excited about Christmas this year and his excitement is contagious. He probably complemented Carl on the tree 30 times this weekend. He also wanted to write a Christmas list for Santa last night (when he was very tired). It is so funny I just have to share it. Keep in mind that he often is inspired by things he can see and we had a bag of Goldfish crackers on the table and a reindeer decoration. The list speaks for itself (or maybe it doesn't...it's REALLY random!). Here it is:

Ford Mustang from Elephant's Trunk (a local toy store)
A goldfish that says yes and no
A water shaker
My own computer
A fog light
A light up cup
A reindeer
A santa that shakes up
A santa that wiggles
A santa that says no
A goldfish with a breakable reindeer (what?)

So many reasons to give thanks...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. We went to church in the morning followed by a wonderful brunch hosted by my parents at Illahe where both of our families dined (my camera battery was charging so I don't have any photos), but we had a wonderful, relaxed time.

Then, after nap time, we had a gathering at our home with a non-traditional but less stressful spaghetti dinner followed by football! We are so grateful for many, many things in our lives--our children, our families, our health, each other--and I am reminded what a tremendous gift each day is. Here our a few photos from our evening.



Special reading time with Lulu


Uncle Robert and Henry examining a cell phone


My sweet girl


Pure joy with nana


Lulu and Nana


The evening crew

The family statesman...

We were visited by Eric Sanders this weekend. Eric works for the State Department in the foreign service (I'm probably not describing that quite right). I lamentingly did not take any photos while he was here (not sure how it escaped me) but we were updated on life in Serbia and heard some interesting stories about his day-to-day life. He got to experience our life with two young children which may have been scarier to him than negotiating with foreign diplomats. We really had a wonderful time and appreciate his effort in driving from Seattle to visit!

It's baaack!, Chloe update, and my bubbly buddies

Well, needless to say, the melatonin hasn't made a bit of difference. So, in my desparation, I did the unthinkable. I gave back his binki (which, by the way, he hasn't used since before his third birthday). I am cautiously optimistic, but so far we've had much better sleep the past two days. Seeing as I'd exhausted all other options, this was the only thing left I could think of to try. He thinks it is quite novel and it stays in our cupboard unless he is in his bed, but if it helps get him sleeping again then so be it!

I thought you'd all like an update on Chloe as well. Yesterday Henry informed me that she took him ice skating. She had pink ice skates and she bought him a blue pair (for the record Henry hasn't ever been ice skating before--at least not with us!). Today he told me she was in Hawaii on vacation. This lady has quite the life! She is a part of our every day. I am amazed at her persistance. She's been around since July...about the same time the sleep problem started...hmmmm

The kids LOVE bathtime. They'd probably both stay in indefinitely if we'd let them. Tonight I snapped a few photos of them in all their bubbly glory!

Family walks

When the weather is nice (which isn't too often this time of year) we all enjoy taking a family walk around our neighborhood. Now the kids are big enough to both enjoy riding in our wagon. It is a great end to our day. A simple tradition that helps us reflect on the beauty of our world and our appreciation for each other.

The good, the bad, and the funny

We had our pictures taken in early November and just got them back this week. Here are a few I thought you'd enjoy. My favorites are reserved for our Christmas cards. It is such a blessing to have these moments in time captured...


Our little beauty


Can you see those wheels turning?


Sweet love from daddy


Grumpiest kids ever? This one won't be making our Christmas card this year, but it makes me giggle every time I see it!


The choke hold...trying to be sweet but you can see the distress in her eyes!


That's better...


Fully yours...


Ole!


The curls...


Our handsome leaf gatherer