Christmas Day

Christmas morning we opened presents at home.

If we can't have a white Christmas, at least we can have snow on our tree.

Later we had the family over for dinner. John, Matt, and Andrea worked on a puzzle.

Christmas Eve

We had Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Grimm's house. Dinner and presents were fun! Puff yawns. She's ready to go to sleep so that Santa can come.

Grandpa and Zoe look over a new book.

Puff gets a Christmas Eve treat, whipped cream! Of course she loved it.

Lindsey dances around in her new coat and slippers.

Then Lindsey helps Zoe get ready to dance in her new coat and pajamas.

The Nutcracker

On Christmas Eve day, Zoe and I went to see the Nutcracker in Seattle.

We got a Mouse King cookie to share. It was really good!

The ballet was great and we had a wonderful time.

Expanding Carson

This is Carson's first phase of orthodontics. He got a nice expander on the roof of his mouth to help make room for his huge teeth.
There has been some slurred speech and drooling, but he's getting used to it!

Pants on the ground

Hayden is afraid his pants are becoming too short so he's been pulling them lower. Problem is it looks ridiculous. Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, looking like a fool with your pants on the ground!

Thanksgiving

Zoe, Madeline, and Lindsey at their Thanksgiving table

Zoe, Madeline, and Lindsey under their Thanksgiving table (not really sure why)

Grandma Barbara had surgery the day before Thanksgiving so we just had a nice quiet dinner at their house and visited a bit. Her friends made her this pretty quilt.

Madeline goes to Washington DC

Madeline was really lucky and was chosen to go with the DECA group from school to their convention in Washington DC. First order of business, McD's in DC. Now we're ready to go!

On the subway with Jessica

The Capitol

Taking in the sights at the museums

Madeline and friends at the Monument

Saying Hi to President Lincoln

Seattle soccer is cool

Zoe had a soccer game on Bainbridge Island so we thought it would be cool to take the ferry over. It's just one of those unique Pacific Northwest experiences you shouldn't pass up. Here's Zoe and some of her teammates as we are ready to go.

Brrr! Facing the wind!

Leaving the Seattle skyline behind and heading into the Sound

Halloween

Carson decided what he wanted to be last minute, so he became a last minute toilet paper mummy. The tp immediately started coming undone of course, so by the time he was done trick or treating he was back to regular Carson. Grandma Gwen made Zoe this adorable French Chef outfit and even embroidered Chef Zoe on the jacket. Zoe had fun putting flour on her face to make it more authentic.

When brainstorming about what to be a few weeks before Halloween, Hayden came up with Mr. Peanut. Grandma Gwen said, I think I can do that... and voila! Mr. Peanut! It was a really cool costume that she molded out of foam and she made a big cardboard hat for the top. Hayden was able to look out the monocle eye. At first he wasn't too keen on wearing black tights, but it looked awesome. All night people kept saying, What an awesome costume!

Madeline wore her cute cupcake from last year.

Hoot hoot!

These are the stuffed owls Grandma Gwen made with Madeline. They turned out so cute that it was hard to stop! One became five and then before we knew it, there were about 40!

We called them "Hoots" and gave each a tag with their name on it because they were all unique. The girls had names like Chloe, Makenzie, and Olivia and the boys had names like Dexter, Emmet, and Brady. They were so cute! We had Matt's mom, Barbara, sell some at the Puyallup Farmer's Market.

Sounders game at Starfire

We were able to see the Sounders play Chivas at Starfire (their practice facility) which was really cool because we were able to be really close to the action. A lot of families from Zoe's soccer team were there so we sat in a big group.

Madeline and Hayden, before the start of the game... it was beautiful and busy day! (Same day as the first day of school)

The Sounders stretched and warmed up right in front of us. That's Freddy Montero with the curly black hair.

The Sounders band got everyone riled up and then it became a big party, just like the games at Qwest field. Loud and full of chanting!

Our little Sounders after the game. (I made that Sounders afghan for Hayden)







Sounders Family