HAPPY NEW YEAR

We are having our second annual New Years Eve at Grandma Julee's house.  After having "Taco Tuesday" for dinner, the kids enjoyed watching Charlie Brown's New Years Eve show.  Below Ruby is so delighted when Woodstock began whistling so Peppermint Patty could ice skate.  You can see the shear delight on Ruby's face. 

 

And before we headed to bed it was the annual bang pans outside and yell

 HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
(even though it was only 8pm, it was midnight somewhere in the world!)

Ruby wanted the smallest pan and the biggest spoon. 

Carson chose tongs to bang with.  

 

Now how does one bang with tongs????

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR NEIGHBORHOOD! 

 

One story from Auntie Kat and it was off to bed. 



American Girl Doll Store

Here the girls are at the American Girl Store.  Ruby picked out Caroline and Emma selected Kit.  It was ironic because Caroline has long hair and Kit has a short bob, which is opposite from what the girls have themselves.  Those dolls were so special, that they went every where with them while in Seattle. 

Ruby asked her mom if she could take her satin pillow to Seattle, but her mom said she could take the satin pillowcase and put it on one of the hotel pillows.  That was the first thing she did when she got to the hotel.  (I believe this is her very first time sleeping in a hotel!) 

Out to Mexican food for dinner, with their dolls, of course.  Ruby even gave her doll some chips! 

I warned Kristin that I thought Ruby slept like she did as a child -- all over the bed.  The hotel room had two double beds for the 4 of them.  Megan was very used to sharing a bed with Emma and had no problems.  Kristin, on the other hand, got a taste of what she gave to me as a child.  Ruby was all over the bed and all over Kristin.  At 11:00 PM Ruby announced as she was tossing and turning . . . . . .
  "I miss my brother!"   At 1:30 AM, Kristin finally made Ruby a bed on the floor. 
I had to laugh at Kristin's text message to me very early Monday morning
 "I could use a space needle size coffee this morning!? 

Some cousin time in the morning before they started their day. 

 Their view of Seattle from the Westin Hotel.  Ruby said they could see the Space Needle too.

 

Coloring while they patiently waited for breakfast to be served. 

 

BREAKFAST  -- yes, Miss Emma ordered pasta with meatballs! 

Ruby was happy with pancakes and eggs. 

 

Next it was off to the big Ferris Wheel at the waterfront in Seattle.   It's called GREAT WHEEL.  

Waiting in line, Ruby wasn't too sure about it.  Emma had been on before with her Daddy.  Turns out, Ruby LOVED it. 

I wonder what was being whispered!

"Grandma, we even saw Bainbridge Island!"

Next it was off to the mall and a hot cocoa. 

What could be more fun than playing in a dressing room while Mommy tried on clothes at Nordstrom?  The mirrors provided lots of entertainment (or the 5 year old in the mirror, I should say!)

Silly  girls. . .

 

 Yeah, Miss Ruby, you are a head taller than your cousin -- and probably always will be.  (don't miss the fact they are sharing boots)

Such a fun girl's trip with the cousins. 
Sorry there were no photos of Megan -- she must have been busy taking them. 

http://www.americangirl.com/stores/location_sea.php
(American Girl Store)



Girl's Trip

A BIG HUG from brother before departing.

 

 

 

Santa's big gift to Ruby this year is a Mother-Daughter trip to Seattle where they joined up with Cousin Megan and Emma.  The two sets of mother/daughters will spend the night at the Westin in Seattle; do things around town, and tomorrow they will travel up to the Alderwood Mall where they will go to the American Girl store.  The two 5 year olds will each get to select an American Girl doll and outfit.  I don't know who is more excited -- the girls or the mothers.  I'm so pleased that Kristin and Megan arranged to do this trip.  As little girls, Megan and Kristin were very close and now they are going to make lasting memories for their daughters. 

 

They stopped by Megan's home in Tacoma on the way and picked them up.  Ruby was so excited to see their chicken coop. 

Little sis, Lydia, was not going on this adventure, but I'm sure in years to come, she will join her big cousin and sister for something special too. 

More pictures to follow as the weekend progresses! 

Christmas Evening

Christmas evening the family came to my house to open more gifts.  Here Carson is opening his gifts from Auntie Steph and Uncle Jimmy.  The Star Wars Lego set was a HUGE hit with him, and the Lego storage cabinet was a HUGE hit with his parents. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruby got a 3 foot tall Rapunzel doll.  I think it overwhelmed her!  

 

 

 

 

Kristin got lots of wrappings!  The kids wanted to know what Auntie Steph got their mommy. 

The always  practical Grandma Julee got the kids PJ's.  They actually loved them!  Of course I bought them too big, but the more we feed them, the more they grow!  

 

A big surprise for the twins was finding Nanny Rach at my house when they got there.  Her Christmas plans were changed, so she drove to my house on Christmas day and was hiding in my closet for the children to find.  They were delighted to see her. 

She taught herself to crochet and made these adorable hats for the twins.  Both kids love to wear hats, and especially at school when it is cold outside. 

Good job Nanny Rach!  VERY CUTE!



 

Aunt Stephanie's humor gave Casey a "red-neck wine class".  It's a mason jar on a stem!

 

 Kristin's gift from Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Jimmy was this red  antique glass dish.  Kristin has a collection of them, thanks to her Auntie!  (that's what was so wrapped up above)

 

Because I'm so practical, I usually don't spontaneously buy things -- but this little pink poodle shoulder purse (hand bag) just jumped out at me and I couldn't resist.  It turned out to be one of Ruby's favorite gifts and she has worn it practically non-stop since Christmas.  

 Many years ago when my girls were young, my mother found this really cute and really tiny nativity set that she put on a Happy Birthday Jesus cake.  I have saved that tiny nativity set and baked a cake for Jesus.  Here the kids are singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and blowing out the candles. 

 

This is my big Christmas gift from Kristin and Casey.  It's a print from the twin's 3rd. birthday professional photos, printed on wood.  It's gorgeous and I love it.  I have it over my dining room table.  The other grandparents received one as well.   (it's about 16"x20")
I had to check Nanny Rach's car when she left my house on Sat -- she loved the picture so much I thought it might "accidentally" end up in her car!