Charley Crawls

Santa Photos

Donna Ryan Photography...These were taken this past weekend in the West Seattle Alaska Junction. They turned out much better than I could have ever imagined.

December Update

Playtime in the crib!

Trying out his new bike in the snow.

Snowball fight!!!

Check out my new ski duds!

Making a snow angel!

I'm a bathing beauty

Merry Christmas!

So far December has been a very busy month! Diego turned 4 on December 13, and we began the celebration with losing gas and therefore heat on the night of the 12th. So, my plans for a surprise birthday breakfast changed quickly when I decided to pack up the kids and move to a friend's warmer house (thanks, Tracey and Shane!). Later the next day, our heat returned, and we prepared feverishly for Diego's Monkey Birthday Extravaganza held at the Jungle Gym, his gymnastics place, for his closest friends and family. It was a small-ish party, but really, really fun, complete with monkey cupcakes and even puking (the favorite part of the story for Diego to tell). He got games, DVD's, stomp rockets, a remote control jeep, books, a watch, and a new two wheel big boy bike! It's orange! His favorite part of the day was having everyone sing Happy Birthday to him. That evening, just as we were headed to bed, it started snowing, and so on the 14th we played in the snow all morning before church and then enjoyed an afternoon in the Junction visiting Santa Clause and eating lunch with new friends. It was a wonderful family weekend!

This week, ice has dominated our lives. West Seattle has been plagued by icy streets, and our poor steep street is a sheet of ice. So, I stayed home Monday and Tuesday morning, bravely venturing out this afternoon for some last minute shopping. It's supposed to snow again tonight and all day tomorrow, so we'll have to see if I make it into work this week! Diego has his 4 year old well child check up on Thursday, but I may just cancel until the new year. I'm not so much a wimp, as I am much smarter about what it means to get stuck in the snow now with two little ones to think about.

Enjoy the new photos of the kids and our snowfall! We are off to San Francisco for the Christmas holiday and New Year's. This Sunday we celebrate Charlotte's child dedication at our church, to be followed by a potluck party! Should be loads of fun and lively celebration! Herfs arrive late Thursday night (sans Leslie) to help us celebrate.

New Pics

Story time with papa!
She loves her books!

Diego's art project - making "peoples" of the family! Look at his name....he can write it all by himself (with some help on the "G")

Diego playing "candy store" with papa and Charley.

Aba and little chunky Charley!

Already December?

How is it December already? We have a tree up, but not decorated. I have exactly two gifts purchased. Two big events will take place before the holidays - Diego's 4th birthday and Charley's Child Dedication. As much fun as December is, it seriously stresses me out. Christian has finals starting (good luck!) so I'm on my own as far as planning and organizing and executing....Thanksgiving was really nice and mellow. We had appetizers here at the house with friends and then moved onto their house for the turkey and fixins'. Delicious! And the weather has been amazing -- a lot of sun and clear skies, really fabulous for Seattle as we enter winter! I enjoyed a lovely spa afternoon downtown with my best girlfriends and spent a really nice lazy day with my college mate, Erika, yesterday at her beautiful house on Mercer Island. All in all, it has been a good few weeks, but I am a bit overwhelmed by projects at work and the upcoming festivities. I need a Santa's helper!

This past Sunday I lost a dear friend of mine to Pancreatic Cancer. Susan will be missed by so many, but she fought a very brave two year battle, and her life was very full and rich. She has such a strong spirit, and I know that the work she did in education and with AVID will be long felt. I am deeply saddened by her passing, though, which has sort of cast a shadow on the holiday cheer. Another friend has a daughter who is being treated for leukemia, so many prayers and good wishes need to be sent to Lena, the Lamar Family, and their extended family and friends. Thanks!