Best Christmas Ever!

What a great Christmas! I was on call and had to work a little bit, but my mom and sister were up visiting and Sawyer finally found the joy in unwrapping gifts! He had so much fun that we let him open all of his gifts, and then when he picked up one that wasn't for him he would take it to whoever it belonged to and then "help" them open it. So it took all day for Sawyer to open every gift under the tree. Grammie brought him an Elmo kitchen and he hasn't stopped cooking since.

We also had lots of fun Christmas celebrations with the Gray's, Bathiches, Morton's, Timm's, and Powell's. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends. Sawyer really got thought the slinky was interesting, and has discovered how to pretend play with cars and little animals from the "Little People Zoo". It is so cool to watch the transition from just exploring what toys can do, to actually start playing make believe.

Meeting Santa!

Santa was visiting a local coffee shop on Friday night and we decided to stop by and see if Sawyer had any interest in sitting on the old guy's lap. He was a little wary at first and very clearly said "no" when we asked him if he wanted to sit on Santa's lap. All was not lost though, he did give Santa a few high fives.

Zoolights!

I was so excited to take Sawyer to the first ever Zoolights at the Woodland Park Zoo, that I planned to go with Kilee and her family, and then again with Hani. The first trip it was pouring and I had Sawyer all bundled up in his muddy buddy. The second time the weather was much more cooperative and we had special guest passes so we got all kinds of little "extras". Starting with blinky star necklace and free carousel passes. I was so excited to take Sawyer on his first carousel ride. Unfortunately, the little guy started to protest each time I tried to put his leg over the back of the horse. So I tried to sit on the horse with him in front, still no good. So we just stood beside the horse and went around. Then I thought maybe Hani would have better luck. Nope. When the two of them got off Hani said "why do people like those!" Apparently, it was Hani's first and last carousel ride. I am going to remind Sawyer of this night when he is a few years older and he is begging me for a ride on that stupid carousel. Well at least the lights were pretty and we got to meet the reindeers.

My perfect fall morning

What a perfect morning I had today. First off, Sawyer let us sleep in until 6:30 a.m. today! I know, pretty amazing. Then I made yummy pumpkin pancakes that turned out delicious, and then the best of all.... Sawyer helped clean up my mess.

It doesn't get better than this on a chilly fall morning. Enjoying pumpkin pancakes with my two boys!

No longer a baby

Today was a sad day for me. I picked Sawyer up from daycare and he WALKED from the classroom out to the car. I bent down to pick him up and he just started heading down the hallway and around the corner. He led the way out saying "bye bye" to everyone, with just a brief stop to look at the fish in the tank, and a quick hug for Jill. He even blew Julia a kiss. Oh it was so bittersweet. I love watching him grow and master new skills, but I don't want to have to give up my baby in the process.

Sawyer's first trip to the pumpkin patch

Sawyer met up with his friends Nala and Hazel at a pumpkin patch on the Eastside today. He wasn't that interested in the pumpkins, but he loved riding in the wheel barrow with Nala. And he really thought it was hilarious when Nala was trying to put her pumpkin headband on his head. It was a gorgeous day and 70 degrees. What a great day to be outdoors celebrating fall.

First Kiss (Seabrook weekend)

Sawyer and I had spent a little time over the last week working on him giving me a closed mouth (read slightly less drooly) kiss on the cheeck. No real success after a few days. Then we left for Seabrook. We rented a gorgeous house on the Washington coast for our annual summer weekend with the Timms and Powells. Saturday morning I wake up and we are all in our pajamas, getting breakfast ready, playing with the kids, etc... When from across the room I see Sawyer plant one on Ashley cheek and then 3 seconds later say "Muah". Seriously kid. Your mama should be the receipient of the first real kiss you give out. If it hadn't been Ashley on the other side of that kiss boy would my feeling really have been hurt. Oh Sawyer you know not what you do. Only 15 months old and already breaking your mama's heart.

Although the weekend was way too short we had a great time. Rachel showed up on Saturday evening in a Santa like fashion handing out all kinds of toys and goodies and added lots of entertainment value that night as we played Apples to Apples. Day one was windy on the beach, but day two was sunny and gorgeous. We went for a bike ride, hiked down a trail of gnomes, celebrated Hani and Nathan's birthday, went swimming at the pool and just enjoyed being together. Next year we definitely need an extra night, and some how we have to fit in roasting marshmallows and making S'mores.