December 28, 2009

Christmas

We enjoyed the holiday with our family in Western Washington.  Grandpa Mark came down from Anchorage and we all spent Christmas day at Grandma Bernie's beach.  The sun shone on us the entire weekend, it was beautiful and we felt very lucky. Oliver played with cousins Molly, Maggie and Olie.  We played games, walked in the woods, opened presents and ate really well.  Its nice to have family close enough to visit for the holidays.  Helps when I'm missing my family who are so far away.  
This was the first year that Oliver got Santa Claus and all that Christmas brings. It was a lot of fun watching him be with family and opening gifts. He is still saying every one's names and talking about the "loud" donkey that we encountered on Christmas day. 


 
Oliver's new train table - a hit!

Papa Mark is loved by his grand kids and the feelings are mutual.

Larabee State park near Bellingham - throwing rocks with daddy


Larabee park


December 18, 2009

Hanging with Matt

When Anth and I go out , we usually ask our friends Matt and Melissa to watch Oliver for a couple of hours. Oliver LOVES being with them, especially Matt.  With little coaching from us, he took to Matt from day one.  When we walk out the door there are no tears, no tantrums and no good byes.  He barely realizes we're gone. The last time they watched Oliver, Melissa took a few snapshots of their activities.  Now we can see why he likes them so much.  THEY'RE FUN! 

Walking with Frank the dog

Drinking
 
 Fire building


Drumming

December 16, 2009

Visit from Papa and trip to the West Side


Grandpa Fred came for a visit last week.  We kept him very busy!  Between trips to Spokane, Seattle, Anacortes and Bow, Oliver had him running all over the house.  Papa, as he is referred to by Oliver and cousin Alek, kept up very well. We miss him already!


We went up in the Space Needle



Hiking and biking with cousin Riley in Anacortes



Drumming at Monica and Kristjan's house

Getting ready for christmas



Decorating the tree


Making cookies is very serious business