The Holidays are Here

The holidays are here and we have the tree and lights up.  Archie is fascinated by the lights, tree, and ornaments.  If he could climb the tree he would.  He is trying so hard to touch the needles and pull on the ornaments.

He is growing a lot, "talking" a lot, and eating a ton.  I started back at work 3 days a week and he is taken care of by his Nanny, Anna.  She takes care of Archie and his buddy Isaac who is 3 months old.  They are enjoying playing together, "chatting" together in the car, and trying to grab each others faces (which ends in some crying).  They are having a good time and we are so happy with the Nanny.

Archie has started to crawl.  It is more like an army-man drag.  He can move fairly fast even though he isn't using his legs to help.  As much as we can't wait to see him figure out the whole crawling movement, it is nice that he can't move faster than he already is.  He is a busy boy and only getting busier!

3 Girls and 3 Babies

We went for a walk this week with some friends.  When I moved to Seattle, Megan and Magdelena were my first friends.  That was 9 1/2 years ago.  Since then a lot has changed: we changed jobs, we moved within the city, we married and changed our names (all the same year), we bought houses, and we had babies (again all in the same year).  So it was a fun time getting together and chatting about how far we have come and how much fun we are all having.  It is fun that we are all going through this at the same time.

Nicole with Archie (6 1/2 months)

Megan with Malia (9 weeks)

Magdelena with Sophia (12 weeks)

Archie is awake but can't see and Sophia is dressed for a blizzard. :)

Happy Ha-owl-loween!

 It was Archie's first halloween and he went as an owl!  We went away for the weekend to the Washington coast to a place called Seabrooke.  It is a cute community on the coast.  We went with 4 other families and had a great time away.

Archie tolerated the goggles for a little while!  He loves to flap his arms so I thought this would be the perfect costume.  We thought he was adorable!

First Hair Cut

Well I finally took Archie for his first hair cut.  It was about time.  His hair was well over his ears and eyes.  And the mullet was more than I could handle.  So we had a special time at the local shop where he was able to sit in a car chair.  

They thought he was so cute, they are using his photo on their website.....of course I agree, super cute!

Our UK Adventure

We took our first family trip the beginning of October to visit the UK.  We visited our good friends Nora and Alan in Surrey just south of London.  Nora is Campbell's English Mum and a longtime family friend.  So she is also Archie's English "Ama".  


We all went out in Surrey for a lovely walk in the sunny weather...and of course we stopped for  a few pints and some pims and lemonade.

The family then went on to the Dartmoor National Park in Devon.  We were very fortunate that Nora let us stay at her cottage for the week in Tavestock.  Nora's cottage used to be the village Cobbler's Cottage several hundred years ago.  It was a real English holiday and a beautiful place to stay.

View from the garden

 Dartmoor National Park

Ponies on the golf course

Beautiful church next to the cottage

We drove down to the coast to the village of Noss Mayo.  It is a sleeply little fishing village and absolutely gorgeous.  We had some tea and scones and a little walk.

We went on many walks and pub trips in Dartmoor and here are some of the highlights.

"Look, I'm in a Pub!"

Ponies no taller than my waist!

Bad Hair Day!

We then headed back up to Nora's house for one more night.  The Rugby World Cup was on so Campbell was able to visit with our good friend Gillian, from Wales and cheer them on.  Of course that meant going to another lovely pub in the countryside.

After being down south, we went back up to London to spend 2 nights with our good friend Luke (and best man at our wedding) in London.  It was a great time away and a trip we will never forget.  Everyday was filled with tea, scones and clotted cream, pints, walks, and smiles.  Thanks to all our good friends in the UK for spending time with us and caring for us when were there.  We hope to see you again soon.