Merry Christmas!

New Camera

Thanks to Gabe's Mom and Gramdma and some savings we got a new camera for Christmas this year! Now we just have to learn how to use it....

Sinterklaas Dag

This year Liam put out his shoes on December 5th in hopes that Sinterklaas would fill them with treats and toys. Liam and Gabe sang the same song that Gabe's dutch Grandmother taught him as a child:

Sinterklaas kapoentje
Gooi wat in mijn schoentje
Breng wat in mijn laarsje
Dank U Sinterklaasje!

Here are the treats!

Then, while we were having dinner with our neighbors the next day would you believe who braved an Atlantic crossing for a visit (I'm sure he was headed for Lynden)?

Sinterklaas was looking decidedly bedraggled after the crossing; perhaps because of the economy he has been scrimping on clothes?

Our friend Dietmar did an admirable job reading out the good and bad behavior to the kids.

Liam was so excited and much more believing than Dietmar's own children. He did admit to being a LITTLE disappointed to miss Zwarte Piet... although he was pretty excited to not be taken to Spain and ground up into sausage with the other bad girls and boys! Here he's looking a little sheepish when the bad stuff is covered. Don't you just love the Dutch?

Kerry and Hana get in a few kisses as well!

Thanksgiving weekend

Thanksgiving weekend was all about relaxing and some snow! We enjoyed some playful time and some quiet time.

Silas on Thanksgiving Day

First Snow of the Season.

It snowed last night in Bellingham! We had a waffle breakfast with friends and then went out sledding.

Liam is ready for action.

Liam and Katura couldn't resist eating the snow....

Getting ready to launch with help from Dad.

And from Mom and Silas.

Pirates Come to Visit

Putting on the gear...

Liam's two best friends from the Cottage School, Tommy and Greyson, came over to play after school on Friday.

Ahoy! Avast! Arrghh!

Halloween!

Last night we attended our friends, Bob and Kirstin's, 4th annual Halloween party. We've gone the past three years and it is always fun. Tons of kids, a potluck dinner and then we hit the streets to trick-or-treat. Liam was a knight, Silas was a baby dragon, and Gabe and I....Renaissance, perhaps???

Our friend, Bob, the "70's tennis guy".

Liam and Katura (his first crush).

My friend, Kirstin, and her little "pumpkin" Sawyer (3 months).

Part of the tribe.

Halloween preparation

Here are a few photos from the past week. We carved our pumpkins. Liam designed his face and worked hard at getting out "the guts" on Silas' pumpkin because I couldn't fit my hand inside! Whoops - too small an opening.

We had a few friends over the carve pumpkins and have cider. Here, the kids enjoy some apples and caramel.

Liam and his friend, Leah, earlier that same day....play dough and a tray of things from the kitchen to stick in the play dough. The oil cloth I got for our table is my new best friend!

Concentrating on his art project.

Silas - taking it all in.

Birthday party- Part 2

These are a little out of order, but here are a few more photos from Liam's pumpkin day. After picking pumpkins, we headed up the valley to my parents' house, where we had snacks and hot cider, a pinata, and some soccer. Then, most of our friends, headed home and we shared a nice family dinner with presents and carrot cake. Here, Liam enjoys cake with our little friend, Paul.

Mayhem hits once the candy from the pinata falls.

Hanging out, having some snacks.

Playing.

Our friend, Leah, holds Silas.

Pumpkin fun

Last Saturday, donned crisp and sunny - the perfect day for Liam's pumpkin party. We headed to Gordon's Pumpkin Farm (run by our friend, Eddie) and met up with a bunch of friends and family. Here, Heidi lets Silas experience a pumpkin up close and personal!

Liam and his friend, Christian, get a cart ride out to the field.

Liam gets ready to pick some pumpkins.

"How did this big pumpkin get here? Can we move it??"

Mr. Five

Liam turned 5 last Friday and we started the celebration by opening presents and having Liam's "special breakfast". Here are a few photos from the morning, including the addition of a two-headed dragon brother to "Custard" (Liam's dragon).