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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

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Boy, so much has happened since we last posted! We had a very merry Christmas and a fun New Years and we hope you did too! Here's what we've been up to these past few weeks....

On Saturday before Christmas, we met up with our friends Vivienne and Winston to check out Snowflake Lane in Bellevue. We've gone in years past but since it's close to us, we usually just pick a clear week night to partake in the festivities. We didn't follow that pattern this year and paid the price for it! The place was MOBBED on a weekend! It was crazy busy. Evie was up on Scott's shoulders so maybe she saw some of the dancing and singing, but Nora and I really only saw the backs of people's jackets. We ended up leaving early to beat the exit crowds because well, we weren't really enjoying it anyway! Next year, we will stick to a weekday!

Not sure if Evie could see anything!

She was overwhelmed by all the people and noise, and very clingy.

The next day, we went to a Santa Brunch at Palisade, a seafood restaurant in Seattle. It's a clever idea because folks are willing to spend a little extra to see Santa and don't mind dressing up for a nice brunch! The food was pretty good - Scott and I both agreed the curry mussels were outstanding and I also enjoyed the crab legs and prime rib. The dessert bar had a really good selection and was quite tasty but if you talked to the kids, they wouldn't know because the only thing they had eyes for was the chocolate fountain. This was the first chocolate fountain they've seen and I think their minds were blown. Santa didn't stand a chance being in the same room.

Nora wanted nothing to do with Santa but Evie was happy to tell him she wanted a camera!

Evie sampling the food.

Nora's no good to bring to a buffet.
She stuffed herself with cheap carbs (aka Mac N Cheese!).

Happy girl after all that chocolate!


On Thursday, we boarded our flight to go down to sunny, warm LA! We had originally thought we would stay up in Seattle for Christmas this year, but I got homesick over Thanksgiving and decided pretty late that we wanted to come down anyway. We paid the price for the "last minute" decision because it meant we had to fly into LAX which is never fun! Our flight this time was delayed 2 hours because of weather and construction, and because the flight was full, they had to do some fancy maneuvering to get Nora and I seats together while Scott and Evie sat together.

Checking out the cockpit to pass the time while we were delayed.

Nora counting here yogurt snacks.
When we landed, it took us THREE HOURS to drop my parents off at their house and then get to Sierra Madre. The kids were beyond thrilled to finally get out of the car and wasted no time getting re-acquainted with all of the fun at Grammie and Grandpa's house.

At Grammie and Grandpa's, we had fun baking cookies, going for a truck and tractor ride, and going on our annual walk to E Waldo Ward, a small family-owned working farm in the neighborhood.

Nora carried Baby around everywhere.

Nora watching Grammie make breakfast.

These were some VERY sprinkled sugar cookies.

Sharing Grandpa's chocolate ice cream.

At E Waldo Ward's.

Pretty colors!

Truck ride with Grandpa.

Evie made a very festive headband that was blowing in the wind as she walked.
On Christmas Eve, Aunt Jeannie and her family came over and we had another wonderful Christmas dinner complete with egg nog and carol singing. The girls were surprisingly very comfortable with everyone. It was so nice to be with everyone since we only get to see them during the holidays now and it made me so glad that we decided to come down to LA!


This was the only good shot out of ~20 in front of the tree.

COOOOOOOKIES!

Me and my girl

Daddy waiting for Santa to come down the chimney!
The next morning the girls got up bright and early to open presents. Nora finally understands about Santa so this year and Evie was jumping up and down that Santa ate the cookies she left out and excited that he dropped off presents in LA even though it wasn't our house. I am not sure when she'll catch on that Santa haa the same writing as Daddy but I'm hoping it's not soon so we can enjoy more Christmases like this one!

Evie hugging her stocking.

Watching cartoons until everyone is awake to open gifts.

Modeling her new sweater, tutu and slippers.

In front of the Simpson orchard.

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