Growing up fast ...

Here's hoping everyone's 2011 is off to a great start! Nate and Ella are chugging along, getting more conversational and interactive in other ways. Their once-a-week co-op preschool is going well, Mommy continues to be great about getting them out of the house for numerous adventures, and with swimming lessons on hiatus for now we're looking into other activities. Maybe a ballet class for Ella, who runs and grabs her tutu when music comes on. Nate also loves music and continues to be our gadget guy as well. They play together and make each other laugh more and more!

Here's a recent shot:

Sledding in Snowy Spokane

Hello and happy holidays to everyone! We're visiting Grandma and Grandpa T. for Christmas (also Uncle Kevin, who arrives tomorrow.) There's snow on the ground and more headed our way for tonight. Earlier today, Nate and Ella went sledding for the first time. Here's a video and some pics!

Nate & Ella & the Blustery Day

Skipping ahead on the blog a bit, we're now days away from Thanksgiving. Home from work today with a cold but we did manage to get some pics of the kids enjoying Seattle's first snowfall of the season!

First, here's Ella gearing up a few days ago:

Ella of the North:


















Polar explorer Nate:


















In the snowy backyard:


















She especially loves the pink gloves:


















Our wintry street:













Watching from back inside and sipping hot chocolate may be the best part:













Right Roo?













Here's a video of Nate (sorry it is sideways) singing along to a CD sent by Aunt Mary:

step away from the scissors

So......I (Karin) trimmed Ella's bangs again. It didn't go so good (which is why there is no real picture). Poor girl, her hair has been in an in-between phase for while now. I have promised I won't do it again! I was so that kid who chopped off Barbie's hair.

Coming soon...pictures from Ella and Nate's first pumpkin patch harvest in the backyard!

Some pictures from late summer ...

It has been a while but we're back with another post. There's lots going on as summer winds down. Nate and Ella are enjoying being 2 years old. They are back in preschool (once a week) and just started swimming lessons yesterday. Nate took to it right away; Ella was scared at first but hung in there and had a great time. Church today was also interesting. Nate let out a big "Yay!" during the quiet moment after the responsorial psalm, and also loudly recited the alphabet in the communion line. Before Mass, Ella said "God is so cute."

Here are a few more birthday shots and a picture from our recent family visit in Oregon:

Ella plays peek-a-boo at her birthday party:














Nate loves his cake, again ...



















Opening presents ...















Storytime with Aunt Karen and Uncle Ron:














The Hermans at Multnomah Falls:

We're 2 Years Old!

Happy birthday to Nate and Ella. Actually it has been about a week of festivities already with more to come. We've had multiple birthday song singings, cake, visits with Grandma and Grandpa T. and Aunt Jayne and cousin Katie.


The birthday boy and girl are doing great. Here's a recent shot, with more to come soon!

Chair & Chair Alike, & a Friend's Birthday

Amazingly, Ella and Nate are weeks away from their second birthday. Today they got an early present from Grandma and Grandpa T. -- kid chairs with their names on them! Nate and Ella really love them and already spent a lot of time in them today. Here are some shots:

The unveiling:

















Pretty comfortable!













Happy Nate:













Happy Ella:














Yesterday our big activity was a birthday party for good buddy Kian at the Children's Museum:

Birthday feast:













Ella with birthday boy Kian:













Trying out the Children's Museum's fire truck:































Settling in for story time:

















Nate on the move: