Three cute kids

Last week we took a few family pics prior to a fun Christmas party we attended.  We are so blessed to have three cute kids!!!!!!!!!!!

Santa Brunch

Last weekend, we did a fabulous holiday activity:  A SANTA BRUNCH on the Argosy cruise boat on Lake Washington!!  It was wonderful, especially since we lucked out with warm, sunny weather.  The two-hour ride included a lovely yummy brunch in their nice restaurant on the boat.  Then the third floor was all kids' craft activities, which was perfect.  Then of course, Santa was on the boat!  So, we had to see him and talk to him a bit.  It was a wonderful day and probably will be our favorite activity of this holiday season.  This will be on our calendar next year, for sure!



Sweet, happy Greta.   Always smiling and laughing!

Beautiful Lake Washington.... and the fam!



Santa was on the boat and the kids loved it.... They kept following him around!  They were sure to place their orders with him!

Hailey gives Santa a high-five...

This is the big three-level boat we were on.  A perfect, sunny, calm day to be on the water!

They had a great kids' craft area, with lots of different activities. 

What is it about an empty deck on a boat that makes you want to run??



This was the brunch inside the boat.  Totally yummy buffet and lovely setting!

Downtown Bellevue from Lake Washington.  We live about two miles away from here...

Andrew rides his new bike!

Andrew and Hailey got new bikes for Thanksgiving from my mom (Nana).  The kids love them and beg to ride them every day.  Here is a fun video great composed of Drew enjoying his bike on the first day...

Preschool for A&H

Andrew and Hailey LOVE their preschool class again this year.  It has been a wonderful place to watch them grow and learn.  There are 12 kids in the class and they have all become good buddies!  Mrs. Sharon is their teacher and she is wonderful!  Here are some pics from this fall in school.

The whole class, wearing their "thankfulness necklaces" during the week of T-givng



Drew paints his Xmas tree...

Hailey plays during recess.... heading into the woods...

Pumpkin painting day

A fabulous Thanksgiving brunch and celebration!

With teacher, Mrs. Sharon

The whole class!

Watching a fireman who came to visit the class...

Class pics

Drew and Hailey had class pictures taken this month.... and they actually turned out well!  I cannot believe my babies are growing up so quickly!  Wasn't I just taking baby photos yesterday???

Hanging out at Cabin House

This week, we are hanging out in Whistler at our "cabin house."   The kids love it here, and for me, it gives me a sense of calmness that I don't get in Bellevue.  Our pace here is much slower, and we have lazy afternoons by the fire, reading books, playing games, and taking walks.  We sit in the hot tub, walk through the village, and enjoy a casual meal out.  It is good for our souls!   This week has been particularly special, as we have done lots of fun things with the kids.  Greta summed it up the first day when she looked at me and said, "Mom, I like this place!"

Another highlight for me was that last Saturday, I ran in the Whistler 50 Mile Relay.  It was an 8-man race, where each person ran 5-8 miles, and then passed the 'baton' to the next person.  It was a beautiful day, but only 29 degrees, with snow on the trail.  The most hilarious thing is that I got into this race as a substitue on a team of 8 firemen from Victoria!  It was a hoot!  One of them got injured, so someone asked me if I wanted to join the team.  I didn't know any of them, but they were so nice!  And I have a cool new hoodie!  You only live once, so I told myself I had to jump into this crazy race and do it.... there were a few thousand people running, all through beautiful trails in Whistler.  A great memory!!