More Nutcracker pictures

Lunch before the Nutcracker

Gracie and I had a Ladies Lunch today before the Nutcracker. It was fun! I had quiche and salad and Gracie had penne with parmesan and butter. then for dessert I had a huckleberry Creme Brulee and Gracie had a sinful Truffle Cake that was so rich and decadent! Our seats at the Ballet were amazing, a balcony box so close we might as well have been sitting on stage. Gracie lasted very well, until the last 5 minutes before she tried to throw herself over the railing. They had cushions for her to sit on and she really liked the ballet but didn't know that there wouldn't be words! Paul was off shopping with Lucy and when we came out of the ballet it was snowing a beautiful slow snowfall. It is supposed to storm all night and it has shut down the city! But Gracie and I walked around enjoying the twinkling lights while we waited for our ride! Thank you so much to Granny Suki who made the experience possible and also bought Gracie's sweet outfit for the big occasion!

snow angels and saturday mornings

Friday we had left over snow from Thursday's storm. Gracie made snow angels in the freezing weather. This morning Gracie, Lucy and I started our day by reading books in bed!

Dollhouses and Naked babies

Is there anything cuter then a naked dimpled baby bottom? No - I don't think,so I am sharing Lucy's with you.

Lucy has discovered a love for anything belonging to her big sister including her dollhouse and all the pots and pans that go in her play kitchen.

Yesterday was a dark, dreary snowy day so Paul got to stay home and work. Then we went out to lunch and then toy shopping. Today Paul is almost the only guy who went in to the office and he will be heading home soon to avoid the horrific traffic snarls that happen here in Seattle when it snows. Wednesday night it took him an hour and a half to get home.

Gracie has been having Christmas movie marathons and is so excited about going to the Nutcracker with me tomorrow! Paul will be taking care of Lucy although I am sure that if he could strap her to his back and go snowboarding, he would!

He will have to wait for the weekend of Christmas when I have agreed to let him go snowboarding without so much as a single complaint!

Christmas is just around the corner and we are finally getting in to the holiday spirit with the help of frigid temps and today it isn't getting any warmer then 25 degrees! It is a catastrophe here in Seattle when this happens but somehow all those people who just couldn't manage to drive in to work are able to brave the tragic icy conditions on all roads that lead to the mall! How convenient! Bah Humbug!

trimming the tree

Trimming the tree! Yesterday was absolutely freezing temps down in the 20's and it isn't supposed to warm up until January! More pics as we have something fun to share!

Christmas trees and winter wonderlands

Yesterday we got up and out early to drive all the back to North bend to buy our tree but when we got to the tree farm it was CLOSED! Bummer because they had a wonderful Santa. So we went to another tree farm which had tons and tons of beautiful trees. Gracie was tired and grumpy but we found a lovely tree which ended up being bigger then I really wanted and it takes up half the living room. We drove home and Paul put up the tree then we went shopping at the toy store and Gracie had a very uncharacteristic melt down. Then we dropped her off at SaraJenny's house for a sleepover with Jesa and Paul, Lucy and I drove all the way up to Snohomish to a friend's house for a Christmas party. Another couple had a baby boy who was about 6 weeks younger then Lucy and they had a great time trying to pull eachotger's socks off and scratching each other but it really was fun to watch them. Lucy didn't fall asleep until about 10 pm and we didn't get home until 11:30 but it was a great drive home through a falling snowstorm. This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland which will be perfect for decorating the tree by a fire!

Sleepover

Gracie had her BFF come over for a sleep over on saturday. It was a very busy day and we kept them going hoping it would tire them out! We took them to a coffee shop for cocoa and donuts, then back to Swansons Nursery to see the reindeer, then to Carkeek park for running and playing, then out to lunch for pancakes, the to the carwash, then to the theater for Madagascar 2, then they made christmas art projects, then dinner in front of a movie at home, then an hour of reading books and songs then bed time. They resisted and didn't fall asleep until 10:15 pm and rose fully awake at 7 am! Then they made more art. It was great fun for Gracie and they got along really well. After Shantih's parents came to pick her up we bundled the girls in to the car and drove all the way to North Bend to cut our Xmas tree but it was pouring down rain and both girls were deeply asleep so we just drove home. We will go back this Saturday bright and early to get a tree.