Christmas, 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas in Eugene visiting our families and are now safely home. The roads have been plowed (except for the inches of ice still layered on our street), suitcases have been unpacked and we are ready for the New Year! Here's what we were up to this Christmas:

Isabelle was her usual helpful self on Christmas Eve at Grandma Janet's house, helping organize the vegetable tray. At Grandma Barbara's house Isabelle helped my Aunt Bonnie set out treats. While most people spread Christmas cheer over the holidays my family sets all goodwill aside to play our annual game of Spoons, which is a highly violent and aggressive version of musical chairs. Isabelle must have remembered this game from last year because as we sat down to play she said, "I think we're going to need some band-aids." Luckily no first-aid was needed, but I did break blood vessels in my hand as my own father wrenched a spoon out of my grasp. In the end there were two. Grandma Barbara and three-time champion, cousin Warren. For the final match the skeleton gloves came out to even the playing field. In the end Warren was the victor by a landslide and will hold the title for another year.
Almost bedtime on Christmas Eve.
Do you think Isabelle was excited?

Christmas Day finally came and Isabelle got to open all those presents she'd been eyeing.

Back at Grandma Janet's house we got to meet Isabelle's adorable cousin Ella who lives in Georgia.

A new laptop toy from Grandma Janet and Grandpa Wayne!

A treasure chest filled with dress-up clothes from Great-Grandma Nancy and Aunt Bonnie!

The day after Christmas Isabelle really got to enjoy her new toys. Santa brought her this Barbie rock-star guitar.

I think Isabelle's favorite gifts had to be her new Tinkerbell twirly pajamas and slippers. Here she is dancing and twirling to Hannah Montana.

Time for a rest with Grandma Barbara

Putting a puzzle together with cousin Mark at Grandma Janet's. Isabelle thinks he is the most wonderful boy ever!

Coloring with cousin Ella

It's always fun to dig through Grandma Janet's kitchen drawers.

Isabelle and Ella

We wish we lived closer so these two could get to know each other better!

Opening presents

Isabelle is definitely on her way to becoming a rock superstar if this mosh pit display is any indication.

Happy Holidays!

We're heading to Eugene but wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here are a few more pictures of our snowstorm that just won't stop. As long as we're safe and cozy, we're hoping for a white Christmas!

We ended up getting about 10" of snow! (So far)

Disappointing News

We heard from our caseworker today that we did not pass court last week and they are not yet sure why. It is very common to not pass the first time but we are still very sad about the news. We have a second court date scheduled for January 23rd, which seems like a long time from now. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts!

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Our first snow of the season finally arrived here in Washington! What a beautiful weekend we had playing outside and staying cozy by the fire. We even had a late start this morning at school and another one is scheduled for tomorrow. The forecast is for more snow and freezing temperatures all week so I'm sure we are just beginning our winter. It's supposed to be a balmy 17 degrees tonight so it's definitely time to break out the long underwear!

This year Isabelle really had fun in the snow.

Snowball fight! She may be little, but we show no mercy!

Barney the snowman

Judging by the look on Jason's face, it appears he's met his soul mate.

The best part of a snow day is warming up by the fire. You can't tell but the fireplace really is on - the flame just didn't show up in the picture!

"Candy canes can make your teeth stick."

Eating Snow

Holiday Happenings and Court Date this Week

I'm a bit behind with my posting because, not only is it the hectic holiday season, it's also every teachers favorite time of year - report cards and conferences!
We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend this year. Isabelle was my little sous chef and helped me prepare much of the food in advance. While I was hoping that my roasted turkey or Mom's wonderful stuffing would have been Isabelle's favorite part of the meal I realized early on they were no match for milk served in a wine glass. Who knew that stemware was the secret to digesting copious quantities of Vitamin D?
We were also able to take Isabelle to see her first performance of the "Nutcracker". There is a wonderful book of the "Nutcracker", based solely on the ballet, that we read prior to taking her so she was well-versed in what she would be seeing onstage. She sat quietly through the entire performance, leaning over once to whisper, "I wish I could be a twirly girl on that stage."

Somehow Isabelle finagled her way into sitting at the grown-up table while Darla, Eric and I were relegated to the kids table. As you can see, she couldn't even put the milk down long enough to take a picture.

On our way to see the "Nutcracker"
Isabelle and Papa

After the show Isabelle enjoyed taking a bite out of the mouse king.

"Delicious!"

On Saturday we got our Christmas tree. Isabelle

is definitely getting used to the decision-making process that is involved in choosing the perfect tree. However, she didn't seem to mind trudging back and forth through the mud puddles as much as Jason did! Isabelle in her Rudolph hat

Isabelle is currently practicing being patient, waiting until after dinner every night to open a door or window on our Santa's Workshop Advent calendar to see what surprise might be inside.

What could it be?

"Oh my goodness! It's a sticker! Could my life get any better?!"

While we are very excited about the holidays, and are busy preparing, we are also thinking a lot about Baby M. this week. Our court date is on Friday (Thursday night for us) and we are hoping we make it through okay. We know that most people do not make it through on the first try but please keep us, and everyone else who has court, in your thoughts and prayers this week. We probably won't know the results for a week but we'll keep you posted - literally!