Merry Merry

I'll blame holiday craziness for my infrequent posts over the last few weeks!

Christmas with kids is the best. Ellie was really into the traditions this year . . . Elf on the Shelf . . . our advent calendar . . . reindeer food . . . opening 1 gift on Christmas eve . . . menudo . . .

Jude's Christmas hightlight was his Mickey Mouse. He completely recognizes Mickey and loved his pillow pet and stuffies.

Now on to 2012

He's ONE

Jude had his first birthday today!

We celebrated with dinner at MaMops and BaPops.

No question his favorite gift was a balloon!

Happy Birthday to our sweet boy

5 days shy

of his F I R S T birthday and he can't get any cuter

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.