Christmas Cookie Decorating Party

 Leila was invited to a cookie decorating party at Ian's house. Everyone was asked to bring a dozen cookies (ready to be frosted) and any sprinkles he/she wanted to the party. Ian's Mom, Colleen, had frosting, of every different color, ready for the kids to share. It was a great morning and I am totally stealing the idea for Valentine's Day!

Tavern Gathering

We hosted the Tavern Christmas Celebration this year at our house. We spent the evening eating good food, opening gifts, and enjoying way too much dessert. We finished the night with a game of Pictionary. Leila even played with us. She was so excited to draw and wasn't too bad either! 

The gang: Shanna, Sean, Lynn, Mike, Danny, Shawn, me, Chris, Missy, Leila and Jimmy

Chris's gift from his Aunt Lynn was a new beanie. This time Leila got a matching one! Aunt Lynn can crank these hats out in no time flat!

Snowmen

Leila and I made these snowmen from some water and juice bottles. We found the idea in Disney's Family Fun magazine and decided to give them to Leila's daycare provider for a Christmas gift. Only one is pictured lit up, but each snowman had a battery operated votive inside to make them glow. We had a lot of fun making them together and Sandy was pleased to receive them.

Frog and Toad

 The first weekend of December we took in our second show at Seattle Children's Theatre. This time we saw Frog and Toad. It was so good! In October, when we saw Harold and the Purple Crayon, I thought how can they top this production, but Frog and Toad did it! The music was fabulous and the sets were charming. We had a super afternoon in downtown Christmas-decorated Seattle!


In the lobby before the show:

Waiting for the lights to dim:

Leila LOVES the shows, but the intermission treats are a big hit too! For both shows that we have seen they have sold a special treat that follows the theme of the production. Leila chose a frog sugar cookie to enjoy at intermission this time around. Yum!

Now we have to wait until spring to see our next show: The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Decorating

 We took a break while decorating the house for some pictures in the yard. What a cheese ball this kid is. Love her!

Tavern Tree Hunting

We got our tree Thanksgiving weekend when we got home from my Mom's. We pulled into the garage, dashed inside to grab our rain gear and jumped back in the car. It was a race to get to Jo-El's Tree Farm before they closed and before we lost the daylight. We made it! 

Can you tell someone is thrilled to have her picture taken?!?!

Leila still didn't want to smile...

 ...so I kicked her out of the picture!

 We decorated it the following night after it dried out and it looks fabulous in our front room!

Tree Shopping in Portland

We spent Thanksgiving weekend with my family in Portland. We had a great time laughing, eating, and playing with each other. On Friday morning, we headed to a tree farm out in the country near my Mom's house. One of Aunt Kathy's patients owns the farm and was more than happy to let my family pick out three trees...on the house! 

Leila, Amanda and Uncle Jonny - these three are trouble!

We spent some time trying to get that PERFECT pose for the Christmas cards. 

Leila, Granddad and Grammy

Aunt Kathy and Uncle Tom

A quick game of Red Light, Green Light before heading home to Mom's. Good thing we had to leave before this game got too competitive!