Seattle Part 2

We had the pleasure of going back up to Seattle 11 days after we got back from the Thanksgiving trip.  My Mom & Bill took their first trip since the cancer treatments so it was great for them to be able to come.  Mom brought crafts for the kids which proved to be a hit for all ages.  Here is Abby making a snowflake.

Look at that head of hair on mom!!!

And Ashley working on hers.

I don't think I'd ever seen a black snowflake before!

After a day of cutting, hole punching, glitter, and glue.  We decided to save Alli's house and clean it all up.  Then I just HAD to "try something" and do one more.

Needless to say, this idea caught on and there was once again paper, glitter and glue everywhere.  Sorry Alli & Ian.  :)  This is Ian's "head are gonna roll" look.  :)

The next day we took a long (very long) drive to pick out the best Christmas tree ever.  The best part of the trip was stopping at KKD and eating snowmen donuts. 

Yes, Ashley is caressing her donut.

I didn't get any pictures of the Christmas tree excursion (possibly because I was staying warm in the car) but I did get some of the tree decorating festivities.  I will not go into Alli's borderline obsession with her ornaments/candles/snowmen, but she was very tolerant of letting the kids help decorate and try on various tree accessories.

She even let them light one of the candles!

And then 2 more!?!?!

That was enough.  They clearly were not up to date on candle handling etiquette.  This probably included when Abby removed all the candle plates and threatened to light the coveted snowman candle. (apparently there are certain candles that are never to be lit)

So they found other things to get into.  It's a miracle we are still invited back. (we are still, right?)

Meanwhile, Mom & I are pretending we have no responsibilities:

Bill is doing whatever it takes to remain sane.

And Ian was wondering where he could put the kids.  :)

We then had a chance to celebrate Mom's 65th birthday, which was a wonderful thing to celebrate.

Her immune system sure got the test with Charlie helping her blow out the candles.

Another great trip that went by way too fast! 

Birthdays

The boys had a great birthday weekend.  Andy's parents came up and we got to go to the 5A football championship game.  Andy's high school from Bend was playing.  It actually only ended up being Chuck, Andy, Abby & I going since it was *cold*! 

Abby was the only one not cold.  She kept trying to strip off her layers while the rest of us were trying to get her to share her warmth.  We had a great time though.  Mountain View won and Andy saw his former coach.  And we got hot chocolate.  :)

"Poor Charlie" had to wait up until 9:30 for us to get home to open presents.  He had been waiting all day.  I think it was worth it though.

I guess I didn't get pictures of Andy opening his presents .  Oh well, we made up for it on their actual birthday.  Sofie's mom offered to watch the kids on the 5th so Andy and I could go out to dinner by ourselves.  I don't think Charlie cared.  He was still getting attention.  Here are the girls from the night. (and Charlie)

 
Abby & Josie w/matching hair. (Abby's is a wig)  :)

Again, Charlie had to wait up late to open his presents.  He had lots of help though.

The girls spent their own money to get Charlie a pee wee pillow pet.  He LOVED it!

Ashley made sweet cards for Charlie & Daddy writing descriptive words for each letter of their name.  Andy's was very sweet and flattering until you got to "y".  She was having trouble coming up with something until she thought of "yells at the TV."  (Especially on Sunday afternoons and Monday nights.)  :o)

I think Charlie was tired.  He laid his head on his new pillow and Ashley covered him in wrapping paper to go to sleep.

Charlie's version of musical chairs

The kids play lots of musical chairs and Charlie generally (always) loses, so he developed a new method.  Now he wins every time.

Randomness

We had a moment yesterday that defined all of the kids in one scenario.  I was giving an impromptu lesson on what to do if someone knocked at the door and I wasn't available.  Ashley (safety police) said, "I would not answer it.  I would not even go to the door.  I would ignore them." Abby (fearless wonder) said, "I would answer it. I'm not scared."  Charlie (it's quite possible his brain is not up to full capacity yet) said, "I say knock-knock, who's there?" (insert loud, very fake, laugh)

Abby ran up to a neighbor excited to show her she'd lost 2 teeth.  The neighbor said, "WOW! When did that happen?"  To which Abby replied, "oh, in the 1980's."

And here are a couple pictures of Charlie.  Abby "dressed up" Charlie which I will leave those pictures out.  He did make a very cute ballerina though.  :)  Then she did his hair.  Here is the result.

 
She may have gone a little heavy on the squirt bottle.

Charlie is still working on doing more things by himself.  He can now put on his pjs by himself:

Almost.  Keep at it, buddy.

Thanksgiving 2011

We had an amazing Thanksgiving in Seattle at Alli and Ian's new (to them) house.  My dad and Marge were there as well as some of Ian's family.  The house was big enough to hold all of us - plus 2 dogs! (to the kids delight)  Here is Thanksgiving dinner at the table Ian built for the special occasion.  He is one talented guy. 

Charlie eating his turkey "leg".  He asked for a leg "like Grandpa has" and he got a wing - and was happy.  Not too many years left on that trick.

And Abby - who spent most of the meals on Alli's lap.

And Ashley enjoying her white meat.  She likes the white turkey meat instead of dark and doesn't like the sweet potatoes (vegetables) with lots and lots of brown sugar (still vegetables).  I don't argue with her on either count.  More for us.  :)

Charlie and Dancer - one of the dogs there.  The kids loved playing with them.

Charlie enjoying Dancer's (big) bed:

My favorite part of the weekend though was an impromptu hymn sing-along.  Not many families would go for this.  Some call it odd, I call it exceptional.  :)  Here is a sampling of the Harper family choir.  Possibly the best part is Andy singing "that's my water" instead of "and He shall reign" and him singing the soprano part as well as bass.  Now that's one talented guy. :)

We then had an early birthday celebration for Andy & Charlie.  Here are the birthday boys:

GO BRONCOS!!

Ice cream and cupcakes for dinner.  Not sure who approved that one. 

My pictures of dad and Marge from the trip are few.  Not sure why that always is.  Here are the 2 pictures I got of them.

Not sure if a kid took this picture and dad was threatening capture of the camera, or if he was purposefully posing.  I'll go with B.  It was only day 2 of the trip, with plenty of pictures left to take. (by 2 kids in particular who loved to walk around flashing pictures in peoples (and dogs) faces.  Those kids will remain nameless)  :)