December and Christmas

Campbell ran the Seattle half marathon after Thanksgiving.  He had been training and did really well.  The kids and I hopped on the monorail to the finish line to cheer him over.  They loved it and we had a great morning.  It was a chilly start but lots of fun.  It is nice that the kids are old enough now we can manage doing these things without too much effort.

With December come Christmas!  So I was eager to get our decorations and start more "traditions", similar to what I remember as a kid.  We put up decorations as well as put together our German tree ornament.

And of course, more funny faces with Daddy.  Campbell decided to turn hipster and grow a well manicured beard.  He loved it and he was definitely looking city hip.  The family actually liked it too.

The School put on a Christmas concert where the kids classes did songs together.  It was super fun and both kids sang.  Archie didn't get shy and sang the songs although he looked angry the entire time.  They love the school and we continue to enjoy seeing them thrive.  Both Sylvie and Archie love to sing.  We make it a part of our days in different ways.  

Our beauty.  Her first "Christmas" dress was hit.  She picked it out and it was so cute.

So lucky to get a shot of them both smiling and dressed up!

Our eager little man.  He tried so hard to smile for the camera.  Used to stick his tongue out.  Now he strains to smile!

Christmas tradition: new pajamas on Christmas eve.  Jimmy came and visited and dropped a nice book off for the kids.  

We went to Mary and Emitt's for Christmas dinner.  It was a really nice family event and we really enjoyed it.  Becca and James were there as well as Josh (Emitt's one) Laura, Makhuni, Annie, David and a few other cousins.  The kids had a great time and we really enjoyed being with family on the day.  It was relaxed and a great meal. 

We headed to Carkeek park to enjoy the beach and views.  The added bonus is the train tracks that the kids get to watch the trains roll by.  There is a bridge of the top you can stand on.  Best park ever.  Amazing views this day to enjoy the mountains and water.

A rare photo of the two of us together!

And speaking of traditions....I decided that each year I will add to my cooking repetoire.  This year it is mince pies.  I used a Mary Berry classic and this was the result.  They were perfect.  I am going to try and get some classic British dishes that we can enjoy each year as part of our holiday traditions.  These are things that Campbell has enjoyed as his traditions growing up and I hope to make them ours as well.  And being in Breda with our Brit friends and the UK for Christmas, I loved seeing and eating all the great dishes they make every year.  So this is one.  Not sure what next year will bring but I hope another success.

Thanksgiving at the Darlings

We went over to the Darlings house for the Thanksgiving holiday.  It was our first together.  Traci decided to bake her first turkey.  We had some temperature issues and the turkey turned out a little more crisp.  We had a lot of good laughs about it.  These are the things we remember (and laugh about) from holidays: the not perfect parts.

I decided to try and start new traditions as well.  I feel strongly that creating family and holiday traditions are important and make our memories and attachments stronger.  So I made some hats.  I wasn't sure if anyone would wear them but everyone did.  It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed making them

The boys and their hats.

The kids table, always the funnest table.

We had a great weekend and it was fun having the families together.  I hope we are able to have more family gatherings.

And as we came back to Seattle, the Christmas lights went up.

First US Halloween

This kids joined best buddy Isaac for our first door to door Halloween.  We went to the Capitol Hill neighborhood and the streets we went to were huge block parties with great decorations.  We had a great time walking around with the kids.  Grandpa and Didi came along for the fun to.  Archie was Spiderman and Sylvie was a ballerina.  Isaac had the best costume as a ghost buster.

One of the great old houses that we went to.  There was a large spider over the central stair.

Carving pumpkins on the front porch.  We had a lot of a lot of un making the faces and carving up the pumpkins we ended up having quite a few to carve.  It was really nice creating memories and new traditions.

We went to Magnussen park and had a great time walking and playing around.  Great time to play in one of the great city parks.  One of the perks of being back in Seattle.

Down by lake playing with sticks and rocks.

 Great times daydreaming

Archie was thriving at his new school.  He was making new friends, a whole group of boys.  The school has a lot of places to run.  He was starting to write letters and draw more.  Everyday we picked him up he would be out running around with all his energy and happiness.  

And Sylvie was doing so well too.  She starting making a few new friends at school.  She also was growing a lot.  She was only a little past 3 and already in size 4 clothes.    

More fun time out for some coffee.

I think these photos will never stop.  Campbell loves to make faces with the kids.  And they LOVE to do it with him.  Lots of giggles.

Playing in the rain

Joyce gave the kids some smores.  The loved the gooey chocolate and marshmallow.

Good times out in the rain and splashing in the puddles

Christmas is coming!

Love these faces!  Very rare to get a photo of them together smiling and looking in the same direction.

Out in the sound at Discovery Park.  The kids never get tired of playing in the sand.

Rare photo of the two of us!

We are getting settled at this point.  Campbell changed jobs to a local firm.  It gave him lots of flexibility for being with the kids.  He went on lots of field trips as well as picking up the kids from school.  We weren't sure if this was a permanent job or a step to another phase.  In any case, it gave us a chance to catch our breath.  Campbell was able to leave his old job which he had been hoping to for some time.  Nicole was getting busier with work and enjoying being back at work.  The struggles of work and balancing family life was difficult.

6months back and happy to be settled.  We still missed our quiet Breda life.  Every day the kids become more independent and less interested in playing with us.  They are building their friendship and imaginations.