Auntie Adrienne Visits

Super fun Auntie Adrienne came to visit along with Oliver, who is 5 weeks older than James.

James finally gets to meet Auntie Adrienne.

Bounce

James likes his bouncy chair. The only framed doorway we have is in the family room downstairs leading to the bathroom and laundry room, so James has a funny view, but likes it non-the-less. He reminds me of Otto in this photo. I remember Otto liking this chair when he was this age.

Building a Mansion

Otto and I picked up a gingerbread house and all the decorations at Safeway the other day. Otto was an expert builder. His fine motor skills are quite impressive.

Andrew and James were hungry onlookers.
I'm very proud of you, Otto!

Daddy's Birthday

Happy 34th Birthday Daddy!
We celebrated in Seattle with Thai food and ice skating.

We all realized how much talent it takes to stay off your butt!

Thanksgiving

All dressed up for a family photo. You'll have to see the rest of us when you receive our Christmas card.

We hosted our family at our new house. It was a wonderful get together and we had a lot to be thankful for this year.

James Turns 4 Months Old

Can't believe he's already 4 months old! He is a healthy 15 pounds 15 ounces. He's 65% in weight and 35% in length. Short and very sweet. We love him so much and can't imagine our lives without him. He's meeting all his milestones; reaching for objects, trying to roll from back to front, clasping hands together, objecting when a favorite toy is taken away, curious about what we're eating and very vocal with lots of smiles and giggles. He loves his big brother, Otto. He follows him all around the room with his eyes and when Otto calls James' name James turns to look at him. Otto also makes him laugh and squeal by playing peek-a-boo. James also likes to feel Otto's hair whenever Otto lays down next to him during floor/tummy time.

Chris and Alyssa Visit

We had a fun visit with Alyssa and Chris from CA. Happy Birthday Alyssa and Congratulations to you both as you are now parents to be! James loved Alyssa's curly hair.

We took a walk down to Picnic Point park and enjoyed some fresh air.

Otto and I snuggled because it was cold and because, who doesn't snuggle at the beach?!

Got to see the train go by up close.
Thanks for a fun weekend, Chris and Alyssa.

Mommy's Birthday

Happy 34th Birthday Mommy!
A yummy carrot cake made by Otto.

A New Hike

Otto, James and I discovered a new hiking trail that leads down to the beach. It's only a mile and a half from our new house. It's Meadowdale Beach Park. It's a 1 1/4 mile hike down to the beach. Today we walked a short ways to the stream, but didn't make it down to the beach because we had to meet a friend back at the house. Next time we'll plan for more time.

The park also has this cool climbing structure and a swing set.
What fun!

New Hat and Mittens

Thanks for the new hat and mitten set Grandma Joan! Otto's hand me downs are the wrong season and I would freeze wearing his summer shorts this time of year! Thanks to you Grandma I'm warm and cute.

James at 3 Months

His outfit matched the rug and made his blue eyes really pop. He's such a cutie!

Playtime Together

Otto is 2 1/2 years old and James is 3 months old. This is their form of playing together. I can tell Otto is dying for James to be old enough to really play together.

Death Grip on the Chicken Leg

Is this why he's in the 75th percentile for weight?
This is one of those photos I'll pull out later when James claims to be a vegetarian.

Grandma and Opa's

We went to visit Grandma and Opa the morning after Halloween. More trick or treating!

Opa and James.

James bundled for a trip to the park.

Grandma Kathee and Otto had a great time playing together at the park.

Too Cute!

I call him my "Sunshine," now you know why. This is what I see when he wakes up. It brightens every day!

Trick or Treat

Otto was a chef for Halloween this year. He had a choice between this and a dinosaur. He chose to be a chef. Look for the dino costume next year.

Andrew, Otto and James just before we headed out into our new neighborhood trick or treating. James' first Halloween!

Otto's first popcorn ball. He called it a corn ball. I called him a corn ball.

Oh my gosh! Look at the load of candy. We only went to a dozen houses. Our new neighbors are very generous and really friendly. I think we will like it here.

Too Cute!

Here is a cute photo of James at 3 months old.

World's Best Sleeper

James is 3 months old and sleeping in his own crib in his own room. He goes to sleep at night about 7:30pm and wakes up around 4:45am. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful sleeper. For naps and at night he begins to get tired, we hold him close for a few minutes and then put him down in his crib and he falls asleep on his own. We are having so much fun watching him grow and change. Each new phase is being treasured knowing that we will never go through these stages again.

Taking a Break from Packing

James is 2 months old when we move into our new house. Luckily he won't feel sad about leaving our old neighborhood and our wonderful neighbors. He'll just have fun memories from the new house.

Cupcakes to Celebrate

We had a lot to celebrate today!
Otto had a dry day of potty training, (we had some setbacks after James was born, so today was something to celebrate) James turned two months old yesterday, we sold and closed our house yesterday and Andrew finished a long week of inpatient rounds. So, Otto and I made cupcakes.
Otto was such a good helper! He mixed the batter and poured on the sprinkles. Yum!

A Weekend at Jordan Lodge

Last weekend we spent with our good friends at a yearly retreat to Oma Lodge. This year with so many new additions we stayed in Jordan Lodge instead. There were 14 adults and 9 kids! What a fun weekend.Proud dads, Andrew, Bill and John.

Otto swinging with Liam.

Pancakes with Otto and Arlo.

James, Aria and Oliver. Where's Juna? All born within three weeks of each other.

A fun trip to Smallwoods fruit market just outside of Leavenworth.
(Liam, Arlo, Otto and Owen)

Andrew trying to shoo away the escaped goat from the petting farm. What a friendly pest.

We all took a ride in the cow tractor train. Here's Otto and Liam.

Otto. So cute!

James snuggles with Sailor.

Carolyn testing the workmanship of the hammock with 5 toddlers perched atop the river bank.

We were the second to arrive and the last to leave. It was so beautiful!

Playdate with Owen

Karen brought Owen to our house today for a play date with Otto. Can you say goofy? Crazy? These two boys are like brothers. It has been lots of fun watching them grow up together. We're sure going to miss spending so much time together after we move. We'll still have play dates though!

Here is our AMAZING nanny, Karen, managing to hold James while reading a story to Owen and Otto. And no ones crying! Hey Karen, can you come over every night about 7pm?

Snuggles

Andrew was in charge of James last Saturday morning and really wanted to finish reading his book. Lucky duck got his wish and a super snuggley baby too! Too cute!

Grandma Kathee and Opa Return

Grandma Kathee and Opa returned last week from a long vacation to Germany. We all missed them a lot and were so happy they had a good trip and returned safely. Grandma Kathee had some catching up time with her two grandsons. Here she is playing with Otto and all his new toys. Thank you!