From Elves to Grinches

Here's a glimpse of the Christmas season around our house

I love this tradition. It began in our house 2 years ago but this year Ellie is totally into the Elf on the Shelf. She gets up every morning looking to see where 'Grapes' is. I've really gotten into making his appearance more creative than just sitting on a shelf.

Country Village is one of our favorite places. Huge Christmas tree, Santa photos, pretty lights . . . Ellie never wants to leave.

No matter the season - Jude is always in the mood for a meal. This boy must be going through a growth spurt because he can't get enough food. We've added snacks between every meal but he still wants more more more!

One of my yard sale finds last summer was 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' on vinyl. It has become Ellie's favorite and she's even figured out how to put on the record by herself.

This photo captures it all!

The excitement and wonder are at an all time high. 4 year olds at Christmas are the best!

A Tradition . . . Rain or Shine

It has become a family tradition to cut down our own Christmas tree on the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Along with my parents, we hit up our favorite breakfast spot - The Maltby Cafe - then drive all the way to Arlington to the tree farm. We sing Christmas carols and talk about what we want for Christmas.

This year was especially "fun" because it was poooouuuurrrring rain. Drew loves it when I have use the Northwest gear I own like waterproof boots and jacket.

So all bundled up we cut down our tree - it wasn't much of a surprise that we settled on a tree that was literally 5 feet from the car.

Always the Northwest kid - Ellie loving the rain!

The perfect tree - in the perfect location

Happy kid

These days . . .

• are crazy with Christmas prep! The Christmas tree is up . . . cards are being written . . . presents are hidden under the bed . . . listening to "The Grinch" on vinyl by candlelight every evening.
• are exhausting! Going on 10 weeks of sick Nobles. Now I have a sinus infection and Ellie is super stuffed up now. Next will be Jude and we'll make another round of illness
• fraught with injury! Jude is crawling and climbing like mad - which means he gets hurt about every other minute. He's either being squeezed by his sis or taking a header down the ONE step we have in our house. Tonight ended with the poor kid getting a fat lip.
• full of missing family! Drew's sister Shaneen and baby Stella just left after a lovely visit. Jude loved having a baby to poke at and by the end of the visit Stella barely cried!

• Drew's on daddy duty. I work every other weekend which means Drew has his hands full. Saturday mornings start with the Dub Reggae Show on KEXP. Even Jude jams out.

Eleven Months

Jude is now 11 months old!

He's the chattiest, happiest, smiliest, cutest boy ever!

We are pretty sure he will be a musician, as EVERY time he hears music he starts to rock out to the beat.

And he finally seems to be getting well - no rash or cough at the moment!

He thinks his sister is hilarious. Here is she is explaining the plan for a day . . . a trip to Home Depot to buy . . . letters?

Eating and chatting.

Rough Days

It has been 7 WEEKS, yes S E V E N WEEEEEEKS of sickness in the Noble House.

It started when Ellie caught a cold on our last day in Disneyland, then Jude got sick and we had to take him to the Children's ER, again, because he couldn't breathe because of his 'reactive airway'. Then Drew got sick with bronchitis, then Ellie got sick and had to miss a week of preschool, then Jude got sick again - super sick - with a double ear infection.

We tried to treat it naturopathically but after 5 days we had to succumb to antibiotics. And last week, on day 7 of his 1 week course of drugs, while we were up in Canada, he developed the most horrible rash and once again couldn't breathe.

Thank goodness I took his Albuterol puffer with me, something I will carry with me at all times from now on.

At the Urgent Care clinic, they said he had an allergic reaction to the Amoxicillan and that it would run its course in about a week.

Poor guy can't catch a break. He was so itchy, irritable and swollen. He doesn't even LOOK like himself in this photo. You think this looks bad - this wasn't even at its worst!

Next stop, appointments with pulmonologists and allergists to make plan for his poor lungs.

I haven't slept for more than 45 minutes at a stretch for 5 days, we are all exhausted and now since I've come down with a bug you can add my name to the ongoing list of unwell Nobles.

Here's to hoping for some relief for the little guy and sleep for the rest of us!

Ellie turns 4

and Jude gets an ear infection!

Last week was a rough week in the Noble house. Poor Jude had a double ear infection. We tried to avoid anitibiotics, going the naturopathic route. When we finally succumb to the drugs, he had yucky reactions to them!

The one bright spot in the week was Ellie F O U R T H birthday!

It was a great day - spent at preschool and then a family party with all the grandparents present.

Teacher Paula leading the class in Happy Birthday to Ellie

We made candy sushi for her preschool treat! My sister gave me the idea and it was perfect this year cuz Ellie LOVES sushi.

Here is Ellie's 4 year update:

• She weighs about 34 pounds
• She loves all things princess and Disney
• Absolutely, loves preschool
• Can write her name, identify all her letters and numbers 1-10
• She can count to 20 when she's in the mood
• Sometimes she reminds me of Varuca Salt and when she first saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Varuca was her favorite character. Oh goodness!
• Her bedtime is 8pm and she gets up about 7am
• We got her Shel Silversteins "Where the Sidewalk Ends" for her birthday and she now professes "I love poetry"
• Thinks her brother is "The cutest baby who ever lived!"

I can't imagine any kid being more smart, funny and special as our Ellie girl! Can't believe she's F O U R!

Trick or *Cough*

I have to say for a person that is still scared of the dark - Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays!

I mean, really - the tradition of going to your neighbors houses and asking for candy is pretty awesome!

As you can see by the photo below - Ellie agrees.

We had our 2nd Annual Asmann/Noble neighborhood trick or treating parade. Lots of kids and champagne in plastic cups! So fun! Lil Stinker and Belle say "Happy Halloween!"

Jude, Sedona, Ellie, Livie, Rowan and Chloe

Unfortunately, this Lil Stinker spiked a temp and started pulling at his ears that evening. Ellie has never had an ear infection but I was suspicious.

Yep, I was right - a DOUBLE ear infection. Poor boy is miserable. Whimpering, high temps, sore ears!

We're taking the naturopathic route and putting garlic drops in his ears (which means he smells like foccacia bread) and giving it 24 hours before antibiotics.

Hoping for a speedy recovery!

p.s. Tomorrow my baby girl turns F O U R!!!!!!