Every year the retirement home that Tyler’s granny lives in (which his family has named “The Big House”) has a santa that comes in and you can get pictures with him. Here is this year’s shot of Finley, Declan and my nephew Elijah. Doesn’t it look like they are having a great time?
the boys "enjoying" santa
We did a candy cane hunt with friends right before Christmas. It was so much fun. Think Easter Egg Hunt, but just tossing candy canes out into the grass and the kids go hunting.
We love to decorate cookies at Christmas time. This year we waited until the last minute, but still had fun with our friends that came over. Declan loved dumping out the sprinkles. About 3 dozen cookies were decorated and 3 or 4 full bottles of sprinkles were emptied.
Declan's Sugar Mess
We went on a field trip with Finley’s preschool class downtown Seattle to look at the Teddy Bear Suite, the Gingerbread Houses and to ride the Westlake Carousel. It was a fun adventure.
On the Light Rail
Finley in the Teddy Bear Suite - "No more pictures"
Declan in the Teddy Bear Suite
The Gingerbread Houses
Riding the Carousel at Westlake
Finley on his Horse
Declan on his Horse
A few pictures from our trip to the Burien Winterfest. It was super cold, but we had a fun hayride through downtown Burien, then a trip to the toy store.
On a hayride around Olde Burien.
Uncle Josh and Auntie Megan on the hayride
Trying to get the boys to take a picture with the reindeer. Finley was not that interested….
Carving Pumpkins
We were really busy and never got around to carving our pumpkins until the beginning of November. It was still fun.
Snow Day
Declan’s Big Boy Haircut
Declan finally had his haircut just a few weeks shy of his 18 month birthday. It was sad to see his blond curly locks go, but he is looking really cute.
Hunting for a Christmas Tree Up at Mt. Rainier
This was an interesting experience. We bought our permit and headed up. It was snowy and the roads were a little slick. We tried the first forest service road and didn’t find anything. Then on the second road we were sliding all over and I got freaked out so we came back down and headed home. The next day we headed back out to get our tree at a tree farm. We might try the forest again, but only when the boys are old enough to hike in and hike out by themselves. My camera died so I don’t have any pictures of getting our tree, but Tyler might have some on his phone. I will add them later. The boys LOVED the snow.
I have been gone for a while, but I really want to be better about blogging again in the coming year. I feel guilty for not doing more of it last year, but we have been so busy with life that I just didn’t get to it.
I just published some postings I had in my draft folder from this summer(not sure why they were still there), but I hope to be better about keeping this blog updated.
Finley and Declan went to their first movie in the theater. Finley lasted about 40 minutes and decided it was too dark so we left. It was Shrek 3.
Declan sneaking soda
We have always had a veggie garden in our backyard, but it has always been mostly tomatoes. This year I REALLY wanted to grow enough veggies to eat out of our garden for the summer. My mom and I roto-tilled the garden and added better soil. Then planted the following in 2 beds:
Bed 1
Spinach, Kale, Blueberries, Snap Peas, Carrots, Walla Walla Onions, Lemon Cucumbers, Kandy Corn, Sunflowers, Green Beans, Butternut Squash and Pumpkins.
Bed 2
Butter lettuce, basil, tomatoes (6 different varieties), cilantro, parsley, mini bell peppers, asparagus, egg plant, lemon cucumbers, carrots and a mystery squash that Declan transplanted.
Our garden has been doing great.
In July we were lucky enough to take a trip to Ocean Shores with Tyler’s parents and siblings. It was a great getaway and lots of fun. Thom and Barb rented a cabin on the beach and all we did was play and eat for the 3 days we were there.
Stopped at Pick Quick on our way down to the ocean for lunch. Yummy burgers and fries.
Our lunch!
Tyler and his mini me!
The boys and Jen
A BRAND NEW Baby cow
We stopped in Montesano at Estrella Creamery and they had a calf that was born that morning. It was so cute. Finley wanted to take it home and let it live in our garage.
The house Tyler's parents rented. Just a few blocks from the beach.
Finley jumped right in and was ready to go.
Scooter on his way to the water.
Digging and Loving It!
Off to Geocache for the First Time. Or Treasure Hunt as the boys called it.
Climbing up and down the rocks looking for the "treasure"
FOUND IT!
Finley collecting driftwood for Papa.
Finley and Daddy - Tyler got out his wet suit so he would stay warm.
Sean and Aly buried Tyler. Declan thought it was fun to scoot up to him and poke him in the face.
Smores
Elijah and Declan. Can you tell they are related?
Mad he couldn't hold the ice cream cone.
Playing his favorite arcade game (Whack a Gator)
Declan Driving
M & M Bingo
M & M Bingo
Declan enjoying the M & Ms
Finley wins big..... a beach ball!
The boys before we left.
