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...

Love-Hate Relationship with Halloween

Overall, I would say Emmett enjoys this holiday for the candy, but finds it confusing and scary. We talked numerous times about how "monsters are not real". Our gym threw a "Monster Mash" the Friday before Halloween and I told Emmett we were going. After I tucked him into bed, he called me back in his room and asked, "mommy, are there going to be monsters at the party?" I felt awful as I could tell he was sitting up concerned wondering what kind of party is my mom taking me to?! I mentioned it to the gym and they said, "oh, maybe we need to call it something else next year." Good idea.

We went trick or treating with the Bertrams in Lake Forest Park. It was a repeat from last year after having a great time and this year was even better since the kids were older. Some of the houses go all out and frankly, made me scream. We showed Emmett this one house and told him everything would be okay. Other toddlers were turning around, but our boy wanted to push through the spookiness as his eye was on the candy prize. After getting his treat he proceeds to walk out with his eyes closed and ears covered. I realize this was a rookie parent move on our part and maybe next year we will skip this home.

This is definitely the last year I will have a say in his costume. So sad. I was so happy all of us played the part in our Arnold Pumpkin Patch. One day, Emmett will think this is totally uncool and then hopefully one day, he will appreciate it. Kudos to Justin for playing the part well of Daddy the Scarecrow!