Snowy in Seattle

The boys have been interested in the seasons. Today it was cold, Sam asked if it was winter. Later that day it began to snow and after dinner even though it was dark and cold outside the boys wanted to venture to the front yard to see the snow. With great excitement they scraped the white stuff from any surface that snow would stick and yelled "cocoa powder flew everywhere" as they tossed their not so round snowballs into the driveway. Being so proud of their icy find they each brought a snowball into the house to show Kari and Chloe. Sam took off his wet mittens and replaced them with his warm socks to keep his hands safe form the cold as he walked around the house with his prize. They gave one ball to Chloe in her warm bath. She tried to comb the snow with a little pink brush. The boys brought their snowballs with them when it was their turn in the tub. They watched with amazement and disappointment as their snow quickly dissolved in the warm waters of their bath.-----Jeff

Christmas at our house has begun!

Today was the day after Thanksgiving. After nap time we went to buy our Christmas tree. Everyone got to pick out a new ornament for the year. Jackson chose a metal airplane and wanted Sam to chose a metal train. Sam chose a box of brightly colored glittery balls. Chloe chose a cluster of jingle bells, but My Little Pony ornaments were a close second for her. I chose the metal train (for Jackson) and Jeff chose a metal old fashioned car (to continue the theme). Chloe was too tired to help decorate. The boys were so excited to help- giddy with glee! They placed all their ornaments, clustered in the center of the tree. But when we were done, they decided they should move theirs around to empty spots. They kept saying, "This one's very special; I have to get the right spot." I told them that in the morning, when Chloe gets up, that she's going to take all the ornaments on the bottom of the tree and play with them or eat them, so then they moved again. After we finished the tree, Jackson decorated the rest of the house with the stockings and little table top decorations. He insisted that the "socks" (stocking) were to be hung on the tree. --Kari

Chloe gets her driver's liscense

Chloe loves to ride in her car. She sits in there and turns the steering wheel and moves her feet to go backwards. Sometimes Sam gets in the other toy car and rides along side her; she loves that. - Kari

Traci & Peter have a baby!

November 18th, 2006 at about 6:40 pm, Hudson is born! I get to witness it all; how remarkable. He was 7lbs 6oz and so cute. And Traci was radiant too with her flat ironed hair and glowing smile. Peter was all action. They are very excited and will be great new parents. Sam and Jackson talk about Hudson all the time, especially Sam. He asks if Hudson is big yet. Chloe just points and says, "baby" and sometimes tries to poke his eyes. - Kari

Halloween 2006

We went to a friend's house for Halloween, they always have a pumpkin carving contest. Sam & Jackson were very excited to bring their pumpkins. They were firemen (again) and Chloe was a green dinosaur. Jackson was going up to everyone at the party and discussing their pumpkins. He wanted to see what kinds of seeds everyone had in their pumpkins. Sam was busy running around with the other boys, popping balloons and eating scary jello treats. Chloe was practicing her stair climbing; the house is a split level, so lots of opportunities for Chloe. --Kari

Sam & Jackson's 4th birthday

Sam and Jackson celebrated their 4th birthday with their friends from preschool at our house. They were very proud to show all their friend their house and toys. The motorized ride-in monster truck and cadillac car were a big hit with the 4-year old crowd, as was the pinata and candy.

The boys got bikes for their birthday from their grandparents. Sam was especially excited. This photo is his first journey on the bike. He most often rides his bike around our back deck. He gets going super fast.

Chloe had her one year old birthday party with the family. She ate her cake and got all messy- no hesitation to dive right in.

- Kari