Christmas Day

Well, it isn't what we had planned, but it is turning into a great Christmas anyway. Our trip to Spokane was not possible due to the SNOW. My brother Kevin is also stuck in Seattle, so he came over for some holiday cheer. Grandma and Grandpa T are missing us this Christmas in snowy Spokane. We are not normally in Seattle for Christmas so we are able to see folks we usually would not see. Today we enjoyed a nice visit from my Uncle Carl and cousin Shanti (we missed you Sienna, but I am sure you are having a balmy Australian Christmas!) Tomorrow we head to Portland to visit Dave's sister Karen and her family. Our first overnight trip! I am already thinking about everything we need to bring....
The streets are slushy but should be OK down to Portland (also hit by what the local news is calling "December Storm!")

Nate & Ella suit up for their first snow

As you may have heard or be experiencing first-hand, it is snowing LIKE CRAZY in Seattle. Ten years here and I can't remember this much snow. Today Nate and Ella got to use the snowsuits Grandma T. got them (thanks Grandma T.) We're bummed that our drive to Grandma and Grandpa T.'s for Christmas is almost certainly off due to the weather at the pass and in Spokane. But we're ready to hunker down and have the babies' first Christmas here. Be safe everyone!

Nate Dogg & El-Train

Though we usually refer to the babies by their regular names of Nate and Ella, a few nicknames have come up over the first few months as you might imagine. In addition to Nate Dogg and El-Train:

COLLECTIVE: The bugs, the babes

NATE: Nate the Great, Nater, Nat-o, Mister Mister, Beep & Sleepy Beep Beep (from a hat he wore as a newborn) Buddy, Lil' Guy, Lil' Dude, Senor Poopy Butt

ELLA: El, Ellie, Lil' El, Ms. El, 'Roo, Woodstock, Mouse, Peep, Sleepy Peep Peep, Lil' Missy

Karin, which ones have I missed?

Trimming the tree to Wham!

A holiday video ...



Karin thinks her voice sounds funny in the background.

While Daddy is away...

The twins were playing on Daddy's side of the bed today. It was all fun and games until Ella spit up. Sorry Dave.

Yay, no more DC!

Not that I don't love DC...it is a fun city. I have traveled there every winter for the past 4 years to visit my dear friend Kym, but law school is over and Kym, Aaron and Lucas are back. Nate and Ella have loved meeting their cousin Lucas. Here is Nate (in his "lil dude" bib) with Aaron and Lucas.



Michelle, don't worry, we will get back to DC!

Ella and Nate meet S. Claus

Ho ho ho! Ella and Nate got into the Christmas spirit on Monday with their first Santa meeting. Karin took them up to Northgate along with friend Sara and her daughter, Lila. Nate and Ella did fine, and Santa said he was glad Nate didn't throw up on him.