Nutcracker

C got to be part of a Nutcracker production with her ballet school.  She has loved this ballet for almost her whole life, so we were happy for her that she got to be in it.

She was one of the spun sugar angels. (And got to be in stage with THE sugar plum fairy!!!)

Ready to go on!  

Backstage shenanigans.

A few shots

Cozied up by the fire in Mom and Dad's room for some bedtime reading.

SJ as a butterfly at ballet (Halloween dress up day)

Pumpkin patch 2014

Halloween

carved pumpkins

Ready to trick-or-treat with a Native American, mermaid ballerina, and Dr.

SJ is the blue-ish blur up front.  She wasn't messing around.

A family in our neighborhood goes wild on Halloween.  They build a pirate ship and pirates quarters.  This photo didn't even capture 1/2 of their display.  They hire teenagers who dress up like pirates and stand on the top throwing down gold coins to all of the kids.  It was pretty awesome. 

With friends

First Day of School

 We had a staggered start... first, C's first day of SECOND GRADE

Then, SJ's first day of KINDERGARTEN

Each year I let them choose a new dress for the first day of school.  This year they chose matching dresses.  Hot pink plus tie dye plus rhinestones.  Yikes, I may need to rethink this tradition.  :)

Big sister watched over little sister on her first bus ride

This is me spying on SJ going into class after I followed the bus to school.  :)

See ya' suckers... now I get Mommy all to myself!

Summer happenings

Clara went to orchestra camp and got to play her violin with an orchestra for the first time.  Her favorite song was "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."

Ziplining at an awesome park in Seattle.

My hiking buddies

  

Hike to Denny creek natural water slides.

Outdoor movie with friends

Introduction to putt putt.

Crabbing

How we spent the last day of summer...

SJ's 5th birthday

 

The theme she chose for her party was "Rainbow Dash My Little Pony"

 C helped plan the party.  Here she is with her "pin the tail on Rainbow Dash game."

 

For her family celebration, she chose to go to a Mexican restaurant.  Not because she likes Mexican food, but because she thought she might get to wear a sombrero while the staff sang to her.  When the moment arrived, she got really shy!  

What a great year it has been.  I told her I wasn't going to let her turn 5... she was such a fun 4 year old.  Alas, letting or no, time marches on.

Baby S turns 2

What a sweet and beautiful girl we have!  She is calm, careful (I didn't know they made children that way!), and good-natured.   She loves to talk and to repeat everything we say.  Her first sentince was uttered when she encountered a scooter lying across the sidewalk.  "Oh no, a bike!"  Like most everything she does, we thought it was adorable. 

She got a little people stable set for her birthday... it was and is a big hit with all of the girls.

G&G- quick airport visit

We had a layover in Denver and Greg's grandparents (age 95) came to see us.  Silvie and Grandpa Great bonded over goldfish crackers.  We love this amazing couple and are grateful for their examples of love and service.

Aunt Suzanne's visit

My sister Suzanne and her kids came to visit us in Seattle.  (To the rest of my siblings:  I know who loves me best) :)

We showed them around downtown a bit... Here are photos on the Great Wheel and at the Seattle city center.  We also went to the beach at Saltwater State Park.

We loved having them visit.