Whistler!

A couple weekends ago we headed to Canada and met my cousins in Whistler.

One day Owen and Drew went snowboarding and the next day Cait and I went to an AMAZing spa!

The twasins ("Twin Cousins" - the term we use for Jude and Lucy since they are just 6 weeks apart)

The kids played great together.  Their favorite game was lining up on the bottom step of the staircase and taking turn say 'weady - set - GO' and jumping down all of 6 inches.

 Noble kids in the Olympic Rings

 The village was SO much bigger than the last time I'd been to Whistler 12 years ago! 

We all decided it's probably not the most fun place to go with kids in the winter since they only lasted in the snow for about 20 minutes and it took 45 to get them dressed in their snow gear. 

 

 It's fun traveling with these 2 - they are mostly always happy and do great in restaurants! 

Yesssss - I am SO glad we are this stage!

 The highlight of the trip for Ellie was ice skating in the cute outdoor rink in the village.  Jude on the other hand couldn't make his feet go in the same direction.  It was hilarious and back-breaking!

 

Great trip with family - next time  . . .  SUN!

A POST!!!

Blog posts are so scant these days and it's always on my mind to post! 

My excuse is the same as every mother everywhere - Life is busy!!

 

As promised - my BIG Christmas gift this year was a beautiful new camera from both sets of parents. 

I think their motives were actually selfish since what they really want is better pictures of their grandkids. 

But that's ok - I'm loving having a quality camera!!

 The first photo I took through my new lens.  Love the color and crispness!

 

 Silly kids in the bath. 

The newest news with these 2 is the fact that we have entered the stage of SIBLING FIGHTS!

Their screams are piercing and exhausting.  Good thing they have short memories and seem to forgive each other quickly!

 

 This Spring will be a big change in our house when we move the kids into the same room!  We have bunk beds and we'll do a major redecoration to tone down the pink factor in Ellie's room. 

They are so excited to be roomies!

 

 Ellie's favorite game lately is to play dress-up in my closet. 

 

Like mama like daughter!

Christmas Catch-Up #1

Oops - I am so behind on blog posts!

Not only can I blame the craziness of the season but this Christmas will go down in Noble family lore as the year we had the stomach flu!!!

ALL of us had the flu between Christmas eve and Boxing day. 

Not fun!

Many traditions were cancelled or postponed like Christmas even stocking stuffer exchange, menudo and champagne drinking on Christmas day.

Luckily, we were able to be together and open presents and I think Ellie will only remember the good parts :)

 

I'll do a few posts to catch up on our Holiday Season!

This year we started, what I hope, will be a new tradition - ice skating and Snow Flake lane in Bellevue. 

 Ellie was a little surprised at how difficult ice skating was.  She never let go of the railing or our arms.  We only lasted on the ice for about 30 minutes but it was still fun!

One year we'll be in Rockefeller Center!!

 

Snow Flake Lane in Bellevue is pretty cute.  Lots of Christmas characters like Snow Princesses and Frosty, snowfall and a marching band. 

The waitress at the restaurant we were at told her she'd hear it might snow tonight and when we walked outside Ellie started screaming and jumping because IT WAS SNOWING!!!

(I think it was actually snowing foamy bubbles)

 

Jude stayed home for our trip to the ice rink - and good thing - we had considered taking him ice skating and then laughed when we remembered how hard it really is!

Auntie Marilyn send Jude a musical card and I think it was his favorite gift EVER!

He dances to it every day.

 

 

Next post . . . Christmas day and the big reveal of my fancy new Christmas present!

Jude turns TWO

Jude is now officially a TODDLER!!

 Getting a felt birthday crown at preschool has been a tradition since Ellie turned 2.  Jude loved being the center of attention during circle time.

 

 Ellie also had an Elmo cake for her second birthday.

 

 All day he kept saying . . . . "Jude - Two-teen."

Come on, kid, I can wait for the teenage years!

 

 This photo cracks me up - he looks SO much like Drew playing his new instrument

 

Here's a little 2 year summary of the Jude-man

*favorite activity - playing games.  he loves to run down to the closet at the end of the hall, pull out a game, get all the pieces out then pack it right back up. 

*favorite show - right now it's a tie between Sesame Street and Thomas the Train

*bedtime routine - Jude is a great sleeper (FINALLY).  He loves getting cozy in his bed with at least 3 books and pets.

*favorite snack - mornings start with cut up banana in a bowl to be eaten with a fork, while snuggled under the blue blankie.  He's not too specific, eh!

*tricks - Jude seems to love to put on a show.  Ask him to 'guitar face' or say 'excuuuuse me' and your belly will hurt from laughing so hard!

*loves - he LOVES his sister, LaLa, loves Elmo, loves books and loves loves loves school

 

Happy Birthday to my little man!

A Little Late . . .

But still thankful!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at Drew's aunt's house this year.  Delicious cornbread stuffing was the highlight for me!!

Drew's cousin came with her 8 month old twin girls so there were even babies to snuggle!

 

Jude loved saying "Happy Turkey Day!"

 

 I'm so thankful that Drew and I have families that get along so well.  It would awful to have to split the holidays between my side and his side.

All the family together drinking wine is a much better solution!!

 

 Jude ate his weight in olives.  I have vivid memories of playing under my Nana's big oak table doing the same thing.

 

 Spent some of the weekend at the tire shop after I got a flat tire.  Here is Ellie striking a diva pose!

 

Christmas traditions are in full swing around here. 

This year we are doing activities in their advent calendar vs. candy. 

So far here is the run-down

Dec 1st - Bring out Grapes our Elf on the Shelf and get our Christmas tree

Dec 2nd - Wear new Christmas jammies and watch Elf

Today - Drink hot cocoa and listen to The Grinch on record

Tomorrow's agenda - Decorate Christmas cookies.

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!



Big Win!

 

Yippeeee!!!!

Ellie is 5!

And how do the Nobles celebrate ? . . . ?

With a weeks worth of birthday parties of course!

 

PARTY #1

 Ellie and her teacher are birthday buddies!  She thought that was pretty cool!

This years school treat was Cake Batter Popcorn.  It was sickeningly sweet - so naturally, it was a big hit with the preschoolers!

Party #2

Party number 2 was the first family party.  We went out to dinner with all the grandparents and commenced present opening.

Party #3

 Then another family party and more gift giving.  Ellie learned she was going to Disney on Ice, got a pink robe and a Merida doll.

 

 Party #4

 For about 6 months now Ellie has been requesting a "Nature Scientist" birthday party. 

Since I have no idea what that really is or how I would do a nature party in November we convinced her an "art" party would be even better.

 It amazed me that 10 kids ranging in age from 4 - 10 sat for almost an hour working on art projects and crafts. 

 Cupcakes and friends

 

Happy Birthday to my funny, witty, lovable BIG girl.