Merry Christmas!

Stupidly, I forgot my camera at both family Christmas gatherings this year so I don't have any photos of that but I will try to fill in the gaps with a few videos.

We went up to Bellingham to spend a couple days before Christmas with my sister Kim and her family and my parents. We had a great time and Josie loved the new kitchen set that Fred, Jon and Drew made for her. She also loved running around outside and collecting eggs from the chickens.

We then spent a day and a half at our house. Here is Josie's Christmas greeting:

Here she is leaving cookies for Santa:
Santa came to our house on Christmas Eve morning. She loved looking into her stocking and checking out what Santa left us.

Christmas Eve afternoon we went down to Marty's parent's house. We had a great time with Oma, Opa, Liz, Ed, Eric and Stephanie. Once again, Oma did not disappoint. She outdid herself with meals and candies and cakes!!

After we got home we were relaxing and watching the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary Celebration. Thank goodness Josie got a "Band in the Box" from Tim and Kelley. It was the "perfect" accompaniment to Paul Simon :)

Our bedtime routine has definitely changed since Marty no longer has to get up at 4 AM. Almost every night Josie requests a "Dance party" upstairs. It probably is not the best pre-bed activity as she gets pretty wound up but it is so very fun to watch her dance around. I only got the tail end of this dance. I will try to get the whole thing next time.

Making Christmas Cookies

Making Christmas cookies in 6 simple steps.








Step #1
Unwrap the peppermint candiesStep #2
Hammer the pieces so that they are all broken up into bits.

Step #3

Measuring, pouring and mixing.... Much too involved and messy to capture it in pictures.
Step #4

Lick the beaters

Step #5

Admire the work

Step #6

And best of all, eat the finished product.

YUMMY!!

Bird Houses and Friends

Last Thursday we had planned to meet David and Jodi for Indian food. We somehow got our messages crossed and ended up in different restaurants across town. After a few texts and phone calls, we ended up all together eating Josie's favorite, Indian food. Jodi and David also gave Josie this cool paint yourself bird house. Josie LOVES it and took the painting VERY seriously.

I told her yesterday that it had to dry and we would hang it up tomorrow. That girl forgets nothing. She literally came bouncing out of her bed this morning yelling, "Let's hang up the bird house, let's hang up the bird house!" Notice her nice hair? She wouldn't even let me brush it before we went outside to filled up the house with seed and hang it up.

Last weekend we went to dinner at Michael and Vanessa's. Before we left Josie wanted to give kisses and snugs to the baby. The matching outfits were purely accidental.

After a yummy dinner of salmon, orzo and citrus meringue pie, Josie entertained us by playing the drums and feeding their guinea pig.

Swimming

Jos

Baby Riemer

Today we had another ultra sound and got a couple good pictures of the baby. All looks healthy and right on track. He is a very active little guy. The technician kept saying "well, he is moving around too much to get that shot" We are hoping that really active in utero doesn't necessarily translate to really active out of utero.

I thought it would be fun for all of us to go together to the appt. today. We kept telling Josie that she was going to get to see a picture of her little brother. That might have been a mistake. The ultrasound picture didn't really do it for her. I'm sure she was expecting a nice 5X7 glossy or something. About 15 minutes into it she kept saying "I want to go home, I want to go home" over and over again. At least one of our children was really quiet... active, but quiet :)

Busy December Days

Last weekend we piled in the new car to pick out our Christmas tree. (one thing to notice throughout all these photos is that Gretel is in almost as many photos as Josie. You can almost play "Where's Gretel")

Josie lined up all the Santa and Frosty decorations and has a little chat with them.

Hey, wait a minute. This nutcracker has my binky in his mouth!!

Josie helping me make Christmas cookies

Every day Josie will read to her babies for hours. Look at all the books piled up next to her. She reads ALL of them.

Last Monday morning we celebrated St. Nicholas Day. We thought we were one day late but it turns out we were 6 days early. Oh well, Josie didn't mind. Next year we will get it on the right day.

Here she is with her boots and her loot

For the third year in a row we visited Santa at Teddy Bear Breakfast in Everett. We had a great time. Santa gave out candy canes after the visit. I think that is the only reason she is sitting so patiently.

Josie only sees Kaedon once a year but they always have a great time together.



A high five for Santa as we were leaving.

Bryn and Josie traded baby strollers. Josie now pushes it EVERYWHERE. To the point where it is very annoying. Not sure when we are going to trade back. It will be a crushing day for Josie, I'm sure.

Here are a couple older videos of Marty and Josie playing down at Alki.


She is getting a little tired and lazy with her jumps.

Thanksgiving

Thursday morning we headed up to Snohomish for a DELICIOUS thanksgiving dinner. Thanks, Liz!!

Josie had fun running around outside with the dogs.

And snuggling up with Eric.

And painting on the Buddha Board

In addition to her usual 3 homemade cakes, Oma also made her famous buttercream cake for a late bday celebration.

I might have eaten a bit too much turkey and cake :)

Babies and Birthday Parties

Josie continues to take very good care of her babies. She will literally read to them for hours... maybe not hours all back to back but certainly hours throughout the day.

Josie had a great time at her friend, Ashen's third birthday party. His mom Sarah creatively made a train cake. There were a dozen or so individual cakes each decorated differently with different colored icing and candies. It was adorable.

We've been trying to get out and walk when the weather isn't too terrible. Josie definitley has a new best friend these days... his name is daddy :)

Here they are "racing" together.

And here they are posing in the the trunk of a huge tree.

Thanksgiving photos coming soon.

A Walk to the Park with Daddy

Since the day he was fired, I don't think a single day has gone by where I haven't said to Marty "I'm SO happy you got fired!" All of us are doing great with the new lifestyle/schedule and are overall much happier. One of the best things about it is that Marty has a lot more time, energy and patience for Josie. They are very best friends right now. It really warms my heart and makes me smile to see them so happy together. Last week Marty took Josie on a walk to the park(something he just didn't have the time or energy for before.) They had a great time.

Of course, Josie just had to bring "baby Gretel" She doesn't do much these days without her.