Mario & Luigi

Dan and I borrowed the New Super Mario Brothers for the Wii from my brother Pete. We played it for two days straight, til it was passed and we had to give it back. It has a two player mode, which at times can be tricky and more frustrating then just having one player playing. During those times, or for things I just wasn't good at, Dan (Mario), would pick me (Luigi) up, and play as if one player.

"Thanks for carrying me Mario for all the hard parts!" Then the joke began to build until it ended up like this: (click here for Dan's blog). Oh Dan, you never cease to make me laugh!

Soooo Good

December was so fantastic! I got to spend so much time with my family. I'm sad it's coming to an end. Pete and Sarah left to go back to Portland yesterday, and Brian and Kellie fly out for Scotland on Wednesday.

I learned some things as well this month. For starters, I realized I do much better at my house then other peoples homes. Hazel is just at that stage where she wants to crawl around and explore everything. My house is "Hazel Proofed" so it's not a big deal. I feel like I'm hovering over her at other homes and then I have to take the breakable ornaments, for example, away from her, which only makes her upset. She naps and feeds better at home too, which puts me at ease. Plus, I feel so blessed when my house if full of people, especially eating meals together. It fills me with so much joy.

I try to be a flexible mom, but it's hard. I noticed I was able to enjoy the meals and times at home so much more. I was relaxed and comfortable, even though I was feeding 8 adults and 8 kids. Entertaining is my gift, so it's a joy not a stress. Is that me not being flexible or is that just life with an almost 1 year old? Sarah, my sister-in-law, is such a flexible, relaxed, amazing mom. She just brought 4 kids, of which Eden was only a month old, up to Seattle with Pete, and travel from event to event without a blink. I have no idea how she does it. I admire her so much as a mother.

I do regret, if that's the right word, that I didn't get to enjoy Christmas Eve as much as I wish I would have. Hazel was tired from lack of nap, wouldn't nurse, and was cutting a tooth...All this to say, I was exhausted and missed out on enjoying the holiday with the Roundhill Family.

So much family, so much love, so much food. December was really was such a blessing. To celebrate Christ's birth all month with the ones I love...Doesn't get much better than that. The tree is down, the daily routine is back, and the dieting has begun. I'm looking forward to the New Year...which starts out by my baby turning 1!

Christmas

Sadly, we didn't take any pictures Christmas Eve. Hazel was cutting a tooth, so we were tending to her most of the evening. We celebrated with Dan's family and had a wonderful time...I only wish Hazel would have been feeling better so I could have enjoyed it more. Here's some pictures Dan's mom took of each little family!


Christmas morning we served Brunch here with my brothers and their families. Menu: Egg Strata, Coffee Cake, Satsumas, Bacon, Hash Browns, Mimosas, and Coffee! It was delightful. After the meal the kids opened their presents. Then Stephanie and Emma played with their craft gifts, Hazel napped, and the rest of us played/watched Beatles Rock Band! I was a great morning.

I love this shot, cause I got everyone in it! (except Hazel was napping)

Then we all headed up to Lynnwood to see Grandma and Grandpa Ingraham for a bit and my Dad and Ann met us there.


Then we all head to Aunt Dona's for more food, more gifts, and more Family!

It was a Merry Christmas indeed!

Christmas Eve Morning

Since we'll have a full house tomorrow morning, and a busy day going here and there, we decided to have our family (of 3) Christmas this morning. We had egg nog coffee and our traditional rice cereal for breakfast. Then Dan and I exchanged our gifts to one another and gave Hazel hers. She also opened her gift from Mollie Ashworth, her best friend that lives in Scotland! (Take note of the "Happy Christmas" paper). Julie, she LOVED the Third and bird video, she watched two episodes this morning! Thanks so much!

Pre-Shower Family Christmas (I love the puffy eyed morning look)

Post-Shower Evening Attire

The Last 5 Days

Two weeks ago we had the Leffels over for dinner and Wii, and Jeremy asked me, "What are you most excited about for the holidays?" I immediately replied, "Spending time with my brothers and their families."

It's probably my most favorite thing in all the world; to spend time with Brian, Kellie, Peter, Sarah and Dan, and all the kids: Ethan, Stephanie, Emma, Grant, Owen, Lexie, Hazel and Eden! But to add to all that Christmas traditions and Holiday fun, it's utter perfection!

It all started last Saturday at 3:30pm! Everyone, including my Dad and Ann, came over for dinner, then we headed to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens for their lights! It was misty wet out, but still quite fun.


Then on Sunday we all met up in Downtown Seattle, which we grew up doing every year as kids. My Aunt Dona and Uncle Kim were there too, as well as my cousin Erin and her daughter Jordyn. Pike Place, Hum Bow, Original Starbucks, Seattle Center...We tried to go to the Sheraton Hotel to see the Gingerbread Houses, but the line was too long. After that, we all headed to Romio's for Pizza!


Then Brian and Kellie came to stay with us Monday and Tuesday night. Monday was relaxing and fun. Kellie made cookies, the boys played Wii, and we all just hung out. That night, my Dad and Ann came to watch all the kids and Brian, Kellie, Dan and I went to Jak's for dinner and then Trophy Cupcake for dessert! It was so delicious and so much fun. (The pictures are on Brian's camera, so I'll have to upload them later).


On Tuesday, Erin Hanson came over in the morning and stayed through lunch. Pete and Sarah came over for lunch, and stayed until kid-bedtime. It was the perfect day...We had tuna melts for lunch, we all took a walk to the park, the kids played hours and hours of Wii, Bohnanza was played, Emma and Stephanie made snowflake decorations, we had Macaroni Rosa for dinner and Pete got Cheese Cake and Lemon Meringue Pie for dessert. Then after the kids went down and everyone went home (except Brian and Kellie) we sipped some wine and watched TV. Then Andrew and Stephanie Platter came over for a bit to reminisce and laugh. All in all, one of the most perfect days. I love family, and I love having my house full of people, I especially love feeding people, and I love long walks where you chat as you walk along. It was a perfect day!



Brian and Kellie left this morning and Dan and I went grocery shopping to restock the house for Christmas Morning Brunch, when they all come back over for food, gifts, and fun! I LOVE my family, I LOVE Christmas time, I LOVE eating meals together, and I LOVE Jesus Christ! GREAT GREAT WEEK! My heart feels so full.