Our Faves Part 3...This time with Santa!

Becoming a tradition, we have pizza with Santa at Jim and Char's beautiful home in Shoreline. This year, Emmett was not afraid to walk up to good 'ol SC.

Ah, below was one of those moments you will never forget as a parent. It was our first visit with SC for the holiday season. We had a lovely brunch at CTC with mimosas (yay!) and decided it was time to see Santa. We went down to the library and Emmett's wheels were turning as he knew this was the moment! How could we tell? He was quiet. We turned the corner and immediately head over to sit on his lap. Santa says "hello" and Emmett looks him right in the eye and says o-so sweetly, "I've been a good boy". Magic was in the air!

When asked this year what Emmett wants for Xmas, his response over and over was "train track and fire truck". Santa listened and pull through, so our boy knows he truly has been good. We're still working on the "be nice to your sister" thing, but we're getting better over time. This truly was a joy to witness with both kids on his lap...

Our Fave Xmas Shots Part 2

Emmett and mommy take a break on the man-size teddy bear. We visited The Teddy Bear Suite decked out for the holidays at The Fairmount hotel. We'll skip it next year.

Emmett, Aunt Penny and Gramma Alex getting into the spirit!

Daddy, too!

Our Fave Xmas Shots Part 1

Emmett and Papa making a super cool Gingerbread Train. Who needs gingerbread houses when you can have a train?! We love our the dogs and they get their own "stocking" too!

Emmett had a great idea to wear the stockings. Why not?

Sorry Anya, we could not find baby antlers!

Fa la la la la la la la...

This might take a couple of posts as we have so many photos! I gotta say, I think Justin would agree, this has been THE BEST XMAS EVER! Of course, the one missing thing is our families, but now that we're our own unit it simply was the best. We're creating new traditions and loving the laid-back vibe here in Seattle throughout the holidays. It truly has been relaxing, peaceful and fun every day for the last week!

Last Sunday, we kicked off our week with a night away at The Salish Lodge (http://www.salishlodge.com/) celebrating our 10 Year Anniversary. Romantic, VERY quiet and lots of solitude with two massages in the morning. The best part was this was a gift from two friends who I helped sell their home. We returned on Monday to begin the Winter Solstice festivities. We turned off all the lights in the house at sunset, ate dinner by candlelight, drank hot cocoa by the fire and did a ceremonial wish or intention for 2010. Lots of this footage on tape and truly precious to hear Emmett say, "I wish I was an elephant".

Xmas Eve we spent at the place we had our first date ever, Salty's on Alki then we drove down to an outrageously decked out house for the holidays. Emmett loved the train track the most. Xmas Day was bliss opening presents, eating, playing and walking Greenlake. Oh, I forgot to mention that all week it has been 50 degrees and sunny! Perfection.

Turkey Day with Keegans

Boy, I sure do love Millie Keegan! Ever since she has moved back to Seattle it's been magical now that I get more time with her and her mommy and daddy. All I know is MY mommy and daddy are so excited to have the Keegans back I heard them say THEY might pee in their pants. That makes 3 of us!

We had a great Thanksgiving at the Fredlunds with Keegans, too. We gave many thanks and feel blessed having "family who are friends and friends who are family". Great toast, Uncle Paul!

Quite the Ham

Emmett has shown us many new sides to his dynamic personality. We're seeing many silly faces, slick dance moves, characters in costume along with playin' it cool. Oh there are so many photos, but here are a few of my favorites...