Elena the Shepherd

This is a late add from Christmas Eve, but I couldn't resist. I love this shot of my little shepherd.

A snow day

More snow!

Emma had to go to school today, but Elena was thrilled to play in the snow all day. She mostly wanted to beat it with sticks and eat it.

Cinderelleeee

Last night Emma and I went and saw her friend Emma in the Paradise theatre's performance of Cinderella. Aerin was an adoralbe mouse! Pretty cute kids huh? (Aerin was in Emma's class last year, but they've kept in touch)

Cousin chaos

We had my cousin Mike and his wife Holly over for dinner the other night. The cousins had a great time together. They completely destroyed the entire house, but we all had a glass of wine and though "well, as long as they're happy!" Left to right is Shep, Emma, Josie and Elena. New baby Buck was not able to be in the pic. (He was hungry)

Tyler & Kelly's wedding

Congratulations on your big day Tyler and Kelly!!! We love you.

A little indoor fun

Around here, it's often hard to keep the kids occupied when it's raining outside. Our friend Myndee bought a blow-up castle and it takes up an entire living room of their house. But it's very worth it - as you can see the smiles on Faith's and Elena's faces.

Snow!! (sort of)

It was only a light dusting, but Elena insisted on getting in her snow gear. Emma started school 2 hours late. So the girls used what we had to have a little snowball fight right before it melted.

Our new piano

This is a very exciting time in the Anderson home. We just found a cool early 1900's piano on Craigslist for $50!! We just got it tuned and found out it's in fairly good shape. And Emma just started piano lessons at her school. Cousin Abby enjoyed playing it while we babysat the other night.

The Nutcracker

One of Emma's Christmas presents - tickets to the PNB performance of the Nutcracker. Our wonderful babysitter Danielle and her mother joined us as well. The show takes me back to my childhood - as I remember watching 2 of my best friends dance in the performance. It also takes me back to my high school days, as my voice teacher still sings mezzo soprano for the Nutcracker. It's always fun to say hello to her in "the pit."

Our girls

Christmas at The Kerns

Do you think Lucy is deprived??? Presents abound! And below - I wish you could tell - but we actually got snow on Christmas day! Another highlight - the first Christmas of our beautiful niece Abigail. She thoroughly enjoyed eating the Christmas paper.

A little something for everyone

Christmas was lots of fun in our home. We made Jesus his traditional birthday cake (he wanted a peppermint ice cream cake this year - according to Emma). We also dressed up in our nativity costumes and acted out the story of Jesus. On Christmas morning, Elena put the Mary hat back on and lounged on her new sled that Santa brought her. You can see some much better pictures of our Christmas Eve celebration on my sister's blog - www.lucyandwill.blogspot.com The girls both got some gifts they were really excited about. Elena loved her candy cane (her only request from Santa) and Emma was most excited about the sled. Now we just need some snow!

Homey Claus

Homey Claus visited the Anderson home on Christmas Eve. Someday he'll decide to sew his clothes together. He scared all the children half to death, until they realized candy was in his Old Navy bag.

All I want for Christmas ...

All I want for Christmas is my two front (right of center) teeth!

Before going to the Black Nativity at the Intiman, the family went to Buca de Beppo for dinner. SOOOO good, and such a great time. I wish we could do it more often. Did I mention Shannon and Nate are hams?

The real Santa

We finally visited the REAL Santa yesterday (he likes the Tacoma Mall). The girls got some extra time while the mall photographers changed batteries. Elena wanted to make sure Santa knew she had "picked" out something special for him too. Emma just kept rattling off all the things she wanted (none of which she wanted two weeks ago, while Santa's elves were at work, by the way).