Oscar's Visit

It was Kate's turn to have their class buddy Oscar join us for the weekend. We are supposed to do some fun things and write about it before returning him to class. The bummer is that the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise, CA has caused our air quality to be so bad we haven't been able to do any of the fun things we were planning...no worries we had some indoor fun.

Oscar with Kate and her friend Serena from preschool having a playdate

Morning play time

Game night (Jaydon has been sick this weekend)

Reading Oscar's favorite bedtime story

helping make a smoothie

We got a little bit of park playtime before picking up the kids from school

Thanks for visiting our house Oscar!

Christmas Legos

Jaydon and Lucy enjoyed building some new Legos they got for Christmas.

Twirl-go-round

The kids Christmas present finally arrived. Grandma was so thrilled to get them this because she had one from her grandparent sets when she was a kid.  She fondly remembers playing on it a ton and our kids (and the neighbors) have definitely enjoyed it so far.

Minnesota Vacation - part 2 - at home

We had such an amazing trip to MN visiting with family.  It was relaxing and peaceful but also full of adventures and visits with almost all of our family in the area.  We were spoiled with good food, good hospitality and good games/toys!

Kate and Lucy found some large stuffed horses that provided hours of entertainment

Did I mention games...we love to play all different kinds and so do the Alecus, it was perfect.  Kate watched while Lucy and Natalie played Mancala (above) and Jaydon got a new game called Headbanz (below).

Granny and Jaydon playing Headbanz

The joy of Christmas lasts and lasts...and so do the presents.  More fun gifts for the littles.

Kate enjoying her new Madeline doll

More snow fun

Peek - Natalie found a good spot to relax

Papa helped Lucy make a lot of snow angels

Cheering on our Seahawks, they did not do so well.

This is how you would find Lucy 80% of the time. Hanging out in Natalie's room playing with dolls.  Natalie was amazing sharing and entertaining a 3.5 year old for hours.

Meanwhile Kate still loved the pony

Kate enjoyed entertaining us all by putting on some reindeer antlers and then clapping and just being very pleased with herself.  The picture above was trying to capture the moment and didn't do it so well and the video below somewhat captured the fun.

Christmas Eve

Another fun Christmas Eve celebration with the Stange Family.

Puzzles and Jaydon doing his insane number book

Some outside football time

Great Uncle Bill and Lucy

Food!

 

Getting to skype with Britt and Seungil from Koriea - big news, they are getting married and having a baby! 

Everyone trying to get in on the skype time

Santa had just been here, the kids just got back from going looking for him and were looking out the window to see if they could see him as they had just missed him.

Happy girl with her new leotard

E gets in on the opening action

Jaydon got a new football game from Santa

And poor Kate, she got a winter coat because Santa new she didn't need anything too fun this year.

Jeremy made people giant egg nog drinks

Play time with cousin Jim

 

The gift that keeps on giving, Jim got them last year, who will get them next?  Or maybe they are just what Bill has always wanted!

We loved having everyone over and being able to spend the holiday together.