Christmas Climbers

Sunny winter days certainly deserve a romp outside.

Dressing Oneself

Jorja's moved up a rung on the ladder of independence. She's become quite fond of selecting her own attire.

Hence this afternoon's selection. Who's she modeling after?



Reconsidering?

Christmas Decoraters

Apparently Anders is in charge of the lights...



while Jorja orchestrates ornament selection.



Guess the adults will just have to sit back and enjoy a festive drink or two...

Santa Train - Year 2

With Grandma Ruth and Friends Tasya, Tyler, and Scout in tow, we headed east for our annual ride on The Santa Train. The kiddos weren't interested in Santa Claus (other than exiting his house ASAP), but the train was a big hit -- along with the cookies and spending time with their favorite people in the world.

Please do not tap on glass.

Jorja at The Boa Constrictor display doing just that -- tapping on the glass. Um, I'm terrified of snakes, never mind HUGE ones that are being harassed beckoned by a 2 year old.



See how excited she is being in close proximity to The Boa Constrictor? See how shaky I am being in close proximity to The Boa Constrictor? I vote for the fuzzy, furry, cuddly variety of animals.

Giving Thanks

A truly joyful way to spend Thanksgiving morning -- romping around one of our gorgeous parks with the most deliciously adorable kiddos. I am so incredibly thankful for each of my 30+ lbs beings of goodness.

Duo flame hats checking out the park scene.



Anders thankful for an impromptu waterfall mid-staircase.



Flowing (and falling) water, puddles, and leaves, oh my!



Jorja submerging her rain boots while taking a closer look.



Watching the awesome Washington State Ferries in action -- rain or shine.



Upgrading to the "big kid" swings.

Frog and Monkey

Yes, Halloween was nearly a month ago. And yes, Thanksgiving is in 2 days.

No, Anders and Jorja are not still wearing their Halloween costumes (although I wouldn't be opposed to it).

How we spent 10/31:

A morning swing...



along with a romp on the climbing structure at the park.



A rocking horse adventure clad in costume at home.



A brief stop to pull out the pumpkin's candle -- for the hundredth time -- on our way to trick-or-treating.



Admiration for the candle-lit pumpkins.

Post-school Afternoon

What to do with the kiddos after a stimulating morning at preschool followed by no nap? Take them over to the neighborhood farm and let them be entertained by something other than irritating one another. We even managed to score a bit of time without the heavy rainfall...not that rain would've kept me from forcing encouraging them to go outside.

A Day in the Backyard...

being quite serious. Why my children rarely smile for the camera is beyond me. Suggestions?

Anders looking serious.



Jorja looking serious -- understandably, I suppose.

Back to the Roots...

of eating. Anders, Jorja, Isaiah, Grace, Joy, and I headed over to one of Western Washington's awesome, organic farms. The kiddos were even "enrolled" in a Farm Tots class. While the little ones were busy harassing the farm animals, climbing stacks of hay, and refusing to eat lunch I went shopping and walked away with an assortment of edible goodies -- peaches, pluots, tomatoes, spinach, basil, and decorative gourds.

Anders making friends, via food, with one of the pygmy goats.



Grace, Isaiah, and Anders inundating the food pellet machine -- if only they had a quarter.



Is this pygmy goat smiling? Maybe Jorja's entertaining her with an array of facial expressions, or singing, or...?



In midst of their first wagon hayride...



with a stylish 1950's tractor pulling strong.



Scarecrow explorations...and undressing.



Jorja and the gourd she selected.

Outside Pottying

Jorja prepping to potty outside.



Jorja feelin' proud of her accomplishments.

Trail Walkin'

This past Saturday found us about 90 minutes (60 minutes of driving + 30 minutes of pottying) south of home. We decided to spend the drizzly day tromping and tramming around a 724-acre park with lakes, trails, meadows, and animals galore. Other than a few special parenting moments on the hour long tram ride that carted us through a section of the park where an assortment of large mammals roam, it was a fantastic day. (i.e. Jorja thrusting herself against the bus window while screaming "No bus, no bus, no bus", Anders witnessing three bison defecating and continuing to talk loudly about "Poop, poo, poop, poo" for a solid 5 minutes, Jorja requesting to use the Bjorn travel potty in the bus, and Anders eating food bitlets off the floor of the bus.)