Rock Star

Here is Kate playing Guitar Hero with her Aunties and cousin.  The picture was taken by Auntie Kelly (who Kate loves because "she likes to make rice krispy treats with me").  Kate is doing fabulous!  She loves her school and her buddies and in the past few months has discovered her "best friends" that she can't live without.  She has recently discovered games and constantly wants to play them.  She is a lot of fun and growing up way too fast!

Pics from Seattle

We just returned from our nine day trip to Seattle.  We had a fabulous time hanging out with the family and seeing some friends.  Our first couple of days there we were snowbound on Nana's hill but managed to get out and play in the snow.

Kate and Ben had their first snow experience.  We borrowed my friend Joy's sled and went sledding in the park that happens to have nice big hills for sledding.  Kate also built a great snowman with her Auntie Kerri.  Ben seemed to enjoy throwing the snow and yelling "SNOW."
Kate at her tea party that her Auntie Kim threw for her.  It was delayed due to the snow but Kate had a fabulous time having tea and cupcakes with her Auntie.
Ben lounging in Sammy's dog bed.  Ben LOVES Sammy...Sammy is still deciding if he loves Ben.
Ben and Kate's favorite thing about Auntie Kim and Uncle Jeff's house(aside from getting anything they want and playing with their cousins) is the large, jetted tub.  They get to put bubbles in it and play.  They both go crazy when the jets are turned on.

The Christmas Picture

After many attempts to get a picture for the Christmas card, I gave up and used the one where Ben had a mouthful of raisins.

Pie Dough

Now is the time of year that we begin to channel Granny and her wicked baking skills.  I think Granny would approve of these baking babies!

Ben and Prince charming are getting into the pie making action.  In case it has not been noticed yet Kate is in her fake smile stage.
Kate showing off her fabulous apron.  A must when making pies.

Benjamin

Ben is just a few days shy of being 20 months.  He continues to amaze us each day.  He can climb anything, holds his own with his sister and her buddies, does puzzles and then looks to us as if to say "that was so easy...why are you clapping?"  He is also starting to say lots of words.  His newest is "cheese" which means "please get me some cheese and I will take one bite and leave it somewhere around the house for you to find later."

Ben at a recent outing doing some arts and crafts.
Finding a way to get out his energy while trapped inside during the wildfires.
Apparently, his lunch was so good he fell asleep.

Dress-up Dance Party

Each night before bath Kate and Ben like to have a dance party.  It sometimes takes place in Kate's room and other times in the room with the computer so they can dance to the music on the computer.  Tonight, it turned into a dress-up dance party.

Kate as a witch, bunny fairy.  Doesn't every fairy wear a football jersey?
Ben as a pretty flower.  He thought this was hilarious!  He danced around like a ballerina.

Different Baby, Different Goggles, Same Age

Kate in the tub on 12/5/05.  At 20 months.  Just a few teeth.
Ben in the tub on 11/13/08.  At 20 months.  Many more teeth than his sister.