Holiday Happenings 2012

 

One of our favorite outings during the holidays is to go to Snowflake Lane in Bellevue.  Every night at 7pm a bunch of ‘wooden soldiers/drummers’ stand up on podiums and perform several songs while other characters roam the sidewalks for photos and hand out lollipops.

We got there plenty early this year, but unfortunately, we chose very poorly in terms of where to stand.  It was a rare clear Saturday night with no rain – and the crowds came out in full force.  We were standing by one of the entrances to the mall, and we got soooo squished. 

Of course, they make it ‘snow’ every night too.  Caelan was impressed. 

It has also been a tradition for us to go to the fire house in our neighborhood, although this year was a little different.  The year Caelan was born we went in to thank the guys who were with the ambulance and helped get me to Overlake in time to give birth – with 6min to spare!  Last year we went to the new Issaquah fire station at the invitation of the fire chief that Sean sometimes runs into at the gym.  This year, we bought a couple of toys to donate but missed the fire truck when it patrolled the neighborhood.   We decided to hand deliver our donation, and Brennan lucked out in getting a tour of some of the vehicles.  

I also really enjoy going to Garden d’Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.  The kids and I went while papa enjoyed a few hours of peace and quiet and football.  Caelan loved it and kept saying “Wow!” and “Oh my goshhhhh!”

 

Every year we make Spiced Pecans (recipe used as party favors during our wedding) and give our neighbors a holiday gift of pecans and 1/2 lb of coffee.  The following pictures show the kids ready to deliver our packages. 

We shared some holiday cheer with the Hoffman’s which included mulled wine, chicken tortilla soup, and the Polar Express. 

Ewan (1 1/2), Cassidy (6), Brennan (5 1/2), & Caelan (2).  Best of friends, and cuddled on the couch for the show. 

 

We had a minor ‘snow event’ occur in Issaquah the night before Brennan’s last day of school before winter break.  Yes, with this skiff of snow they delayed school by 2hours, which meant school was cancelled for AM kindergarteners.  Bummer.  Brennan and Sean had this snowman put together before 9am that morning, though.  

Caelan supervised….with her hands in her pockets (the girl just loves pockets…funny kid).  She wanted no part of the whole deal and refused to stand next to brother for a picture. 

You can see that the snow did not last long at all……this was the snowman that afternoon. 

And, this is him the next morning.  Still standing, but barely! 

Great Wolf Lodge–December 2012

One of our favorite ‘staycation’ spots is the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA.  It is a resort/indoor water park just south of Olympia, so it takes us less than 2hours to get there.  The kids of course, love it.  Brennan’s school was closed for Parent/Teacher conferences for 3 days.  We ended up getting our conference scheduled on the first day, so we ‘headed to the lodge’ for the last two days. 

We usually arrive about noon, check into our room, get lunch and then hit the water park.  We take a break for dinner and then go to the storytime show in the lobby at 8pm.

This is day 2……Brennan conquered his fear of going on the waterslides under ‘the big dumper.’  I think he went on those waterslides by himself 100 times. 

I love this action shot I got of Brennan. 

After 2 days of no nap, Caelan is a little bit of a zombie on Day 2. 

Brennan convinced Sean to stay later than normal on Day 2 in order to catch the storytime show in the lobby again.  He was absolutely AMAZED by the fact that they made it ‘snow’ in the lobby, and desperately wanted to see it again.  We made a deal with him that he had to be in his jammies with teeth brushed and ready to get in the car as soon as it was done, and he agreed.  We left GWL at 8:30pm, and pulled into the garage at home at 10pm.  Both kids were asleep by 8:45pm and transitioned to their own beds once we got home without problem.  Phew…..

December 2012–Major Catch-UP

 

Yikes.  I am way behind on updating my blog.  We had such a wonderful holiday season, though.  The extra week between Thanksgiving (& Caelan’s birthday) and Christmas was an added blessing and left us with many weekends to deck our halls, watch Christmas movies, share holiday cheer with friends, and I even got our Christmas cards sent out before New Years.  Today was New Years Day and we took down the tree.  Brennan and I were both very “blue”, and Caelan screamed “no” when I started to take off the lights. 

So, we’ll start off with the Microsoft Family Christmas party that was the first week of December.  This is an AMAZING holiday party – each room has a theme – this year the overall theme was board games – so there was a room with the game Clue, Candy Land, etc.  lots of food, drinks, and lots of activities for kids. 

I, of course, have a lot of fun dressing up my baby girl – she was glowing in holiday spirit for the party. 

Of course, Brennan is getting a balloon sword with holster……

These pictures were taken the following morning.  Nothing says ‘holiday spirit’ like two cute kids in their Santa jammies & a balloon sword, huh? 

After our morning ‘modeling’ session, we headed out to the Christmas Tree lot.  This is the same lot we’ve been going to for at least 5yrs. 

Good friend, Jenny Pastore, joined us to get a tree for her house too. 

Brennan’s Thoughts on December 14, 2012

 

On the morning of December 14th, 2012 and 20 yr old man killed his mom and then went to Sandy Hill Elementary in CT and gunned down 26 people – 20 of which were young children between the ages of 6-8.  He then shot himself.  It is an absolutely heart-breaking situation.  Sean documented the following experience he had with Brennan that afternoon. 

 

I should also note that he texted me “Mama, I have your babies and they are safe.” that afternoon.  It is just what I needed to hear.  I am married to a wonderful man who loves our children as much as me!   

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Friends and Family,

I just want to share my experience with Brennan from last Friday with you.  Brennan is in Kindergarten now and I went to pick him up at noon last Friday.

Caelan and I had seen what happened at Sandy Hook and it was really hard for me to keep it together but I had to go get B from school and to be honest noon could not have arrived quickly enough last week.  The walk to school was pretty somber and we encountered the regular crowd on the way, there was not a lot of chat on that walk but there were plenty of tears.  As we waited in the courtyard we all tried to get happy for our kids as they would soon be coming out.  It was very clear by looking around at the faces of people who had seen the news of the day. When a mom who had not heard the news would ask what was going on there was an awkward silence as no one wanted to share this news with another parent waiting at the school for their little one to come home. 

The kids burst from the school with their typical fervor and ran to their waiting parents, perhaps I was a bit too huggy or maybe he could just read the faces all around him but the first thing Brennan asked me was why everyone was so sad… I did not know what to say…. I told him it was just a sad day and we headed home quietly with our pack. 

As we sat down for lunch Brennan asked me why it was a sad day… I decided to let him watch the president speak about the terrible attack and then do the best I could from there… I of course got a little teary again as I watched and Brennan watched. 

When it was over he asked if those kids would really never come home for Christmas, I told him they had died and that their families would never see them again and that was why I was so sad.  He ate quietly for a little bit and then he turned to me with that smile you only see when a child has done something grand and they know it….  “Papa,” he said, “It’s okay, All those kids get to have Christmas in Heaven.” 

I am so thankful at the place Brennan’s December 14^th ended, and what a not so terrible day it was for him.  I wish I could have gone with him so quickly and confidently to that place.  My wish for you all this holiday season is that you too could get to that place too.

Merry Christmas,

Sean

Visit with Santa

 

I just knew that Santa pictures this year with Caelan were going to be challenging.  I ‘follow’ a lot of photographers on Facebook, and many of them were advertising sessions with Santa – with a little bit more time, and being able to avoid the wait in line at the mall.  So, I went for it, hoping that maybe with a little bit of time to ‘warm' up’ she might be more open to going in his lap.

 

I was wrong, unfortunately.  

 

Here are some great pictures of Brennan reading his letter to Santa.  Meanwhile, I was holding Caelan and talking about how nice Santa looked and we were waving to him. 

And then, being the bad mama that I am, I then tried to ease Caelan onto Santa’s lap…….and this is what happened…..yeah, she didn’t like it a whole lot.