Tristan's birthday

For Tristan's birthday he chose a Lightning McQueen birthday.  We had lots of red and black streamers and various cars decorations.  We did his party on a Sunday afternoon and had everyone over for lunch and dessert.

Tristan helps setup. 

Olive was THRILLED about her party hat.

I am THRILLED to get my picture taken.

Turkey, havarti and pepper jelly sandwiches!

The birthday boy

We played pin the 95 on McQueen

I tried to fake out Otto by moving the poster up farther but Jamie told  him while he was blind-folded!

Then we had a car pinata in the basement.

On to the cake (I tried for red frosting but after using up all my red food coloring and then another 1/2 bottle of the one I sent Charlie to the store for, I gave up - Tristan didn't notice they were kinda pink)

Presents.

Charlie is THRILLED.

The theme this year was airplanes - lots of the them (at least 4)

The next morning was his actual birthday so I made pancakes and we sang him happy birthday again.

Jamie wanted to light the candle.

And finally after two days of parties, Tristan was exhausted after getting picked up at Laura's and passed out on the couch.

Jan misc.

Octopus Jamie!

Chad volunteered for a field trip to the Aquarium.

Jamie was in a performance for the Martin Luther King Jr. day celebration (see video below)

A few more pictures from our zoo trip:

Sting rays at the zoo

Martin Luther King Jr. Day performance

misc phone photos starring The Bouncy Blue Boy

First day of girl scout cookie sales.

Taking turns holding baby Iris

Olive is not so happy.

Abby posts "No one can come in my room - only mom!"

Dresses for Lulu and Ruby - going away present.

Space Needle trip

Way back in October, on the weekend before Abby's birthday, we took a family trip over to Seattle because Abby had chosen the space needle as a birthday activity that she had wanted to do.  Jon met us at Top Pot doughnuts and then from there we all went up the Space Needle together.  When we were done we headed to the waterfront where we had an early dinner/late lunch at Red Robin. Unfortunately, Abby had ate too much junk food that day and got sick right afterwards.  Thankfully, we made it to the restroom!  I felt pretty bad though because she kept telling me she didn't feel good and I kept making her wait to leave because they were supposed to sing to her!  You can see from the video how forlorn she looks.

Ferry ride


Space needle elevator


Seattle monorail


Red robin birthday dinner

Jamie's 9th birthday

For Jamie's 9th birthday party we had family and friends over for a combination birthday/new year's eve party. First we played kickball up at the school. Then we had families over for dinner (taco bar) and some cake (german chocolate). We also turned on the music and the disco ball for some dancing fun. After a bunch of people left, we tried to stay awake until midnight but the kids had fun with all the noisemaker fireworks that I had purchased long before we rang in the new year. Tristan got so tired that he went into our bed and fell asleep (because there were too many kids in his room). Then just before midnight Tristan woke up and had peed the bed (luckily not much) but he was wet and crying and we were trying to get him to bed and the extra mattresses set up for Kristy, Pat, Ruby and Lulu. Needless to say, we missed it when the clock struck midnight :) But Jamie says it was a great party so I can call it a success.

1st try

2nd try

3rd try

I love his expression - we got him trick candles!

5th try (with gusto)!!

Kickball