Christmas Show Debut

'Tis the season for school Christmas programs, and Nate and Ella were in their first last night! The pre-schoolers dressed like angels and sang "Jingle Bells" for proud parents. Here are a few pictures ...

Raking leaves on a chilly autumn afternoon ...

Happy fall to everyone!

Happy Halloween!

Hope you've had a great one! Here are some shots from tonight with Ella (Jasmine) and Nate (Prince Ali/a king).

Pumpkin carving on Halloween Eve

Ella named hers "Timothy." Not sure if that's in honor of Uncle Tim, or cousin Tim, or someone else. The carver (me) tried to stay true to the artist's vision. Nate named his "Pumpky."

October fun at the pumpkin patch ...

We are psyched for Halloween ...

Catching up with Nate and Ella ...

With apologies for not updating the blog in a while, here are some shots from the last couple of months! Pictures from today's visit to the pumpkin patch coming soon ...

First day of school!





























Ready for a late-summer swim with cousin Evan















Ella, fresh off her own dinner, helps with Ev's bottle:
















Snuggle time
















Stylin' after haircuts















Coffee shop kids (don't worry -- it's only hot chocolate)

Birthday fun

Amazingly, our heroes turned 3 years old today! The festivities actually kicked off last week with a fun visit from Aunt Jayne, Uncle Lance, cousin Alex and cousin Katie. Last Saturday Nate and Ella enjoyed a party at a nearby farm with some good friends. Today brought Grandma and Papa T, Uncle Kevin, new bikes sent by Grandpa H. and so many other wonderful gifts and wishes. And it's not over yet: Aunt Karen and Uncle Ron will join us for a family party tomorrow! Thanks to everyone for thinking of us -- we love you!

Here are few shots from Nate and Ella Festivus 2011:

Fun morning at the Seattle Children's Museum with Lilly O'Claire.

Cake for Mommy, July 4 and More

Hello and happy July to everyone. We're enjoying our summer and hope you are, too! We've recently celebrated Karin's (Mommy's) birthday, taken a ferry ride to a Fourth of July celebration, and enjoyed a quick trip with our friends Sara, Don, Lila, Reed and Molly. Here are a few shots and a video:

Zoo Tunes 2011

We took in the Marc Cohn-Mary Chapin Carpenter show Sunday night with the whole gang and good friends Sara, Don, Lila and Reed. Great time! A very nice evening, picnic dinner, good music and the kids were great. Here are a few shots ...

Ella and Nate, pre-show:













Coloring with Lila:














Here's Marc Cohn. Dave was excited he played a song called "Paper Walls."














Nate gets loved up by Mommy:

Ella and her Grandma H.

Ella has been talking about her Grandma H. quite a bit. She never knew her in person as Grandma (my mom) passed away less than a year before Ella and Nate were born. But Karin and I have shown lots of pictures to the twins and talked about Grandma.

Ella's middle name (Philanise) was my mom's name. A few days back we were practicing family names and I asked Ella about Grandma H.'s name, and Ella said, "She's Philanise, just like me." Tonight, Ella picked up a toy phone and started talking into it. "Ya, hi ... How are you? ... I'm fine." Then she pretended to hang up and told Karin, "I was talking to Grandma H. She's in heaven."

I miss my mom a lot but I know she is watching over Nate and Ella.

Springtime with Ella and Nate

Not sure how many Nate and Ella fans are still with us, but we hope you are well! The kiddos have had another round of illnesses but are doing better and on the whole enjoying being 2 in springtime. They're just finishing up at their once-a-week co-op preschool and will be starting more preschool at St. Catherine's in the fall!

Here are a few recent pics: