Out and About on Tuesday

Tuesday we hit up Redmond Town Center. We timed it just perfectly as L got to play, hear a story from Santa and she even got her picture taken with him. Having Talan there was really comforting to L and she did not fuss a bit. 

Heading to Redmond Town Center

Santa Story Time

talking to Santa

family photo opportunity

Talan loved the music area

We spent the evening being entertained by L. She loves to play dress up and really outdid herself.

what she would look like with hair

Nana helping L with her shoes

check me out

the wig works on me too

giggle time with Grandma

"I'm cute and I know it"

Monday Fun Day in Seattle

L in the sink

Early Monday morning I went over to Karli's to help with Talan so L got her first sink bath. 

and she got some play time with Papa

 Uncle Marty, Laura and Gramma came over for lunch at Karli's. L and Nana had fun decorating the November birthday cake.

I'm not sure who had more fun

Grandma, Dad, Grandpa and Gramma having lunch

Dad fell asleep and Marty worked is magic

 We went back to the house so L could nap. As she was down we all headed out to the dock to admire the view.

G and G were the trend setters and walked down to the dock first. It's pretty incredible that my Grandma (89) and Grandpa (91) were up to walking around and stayed on the go with us the entire time. 

Dad, Grandpa and Grandma

Marty and Laura admiring the view

us out on the dock

Marty and Laura

Mom and Dad

 We went into downtown Bellevue to have some family pictures taken. Then we came back to the house to relax.

G and G with Talan

Jason, Karli, G and G and Talan

Meeting Talan

We traveled last Saturday to Seattle to meet cousin Talan. He has the best temperament  He really only cries when he needs something, he is otherwise content to be held and adored. We love you little man and are so thrilled to have you in our lives!

L loved her new baby friend

We only had one mishap where L accidentally tripped and almost landed on Talan. 

And we discouraged her from picking him up...

Bellingham friends Suszan and Tina came to meet Talan and see L

Grandpa giving Karli and Talan a hug

 On Sunday Mom and Dad hosted all their friends and family at the rental house that we were staying at. It was a meet and greet session. Talan was a little rockstar.

This is Karli's oldest friend Amy who came to visit

We had around 35 friends and family come and go throughout the day

before the party Cory, Papa and L hit up the park

dress up during the party

After all the guests left we had some family bonding time. Grandma held Talan for the first time

More Pics from the WV

trying out the "big girl swing"

I just realized that I had some fun pictures on my phone from our trip to the play ground before heading out of town... Here are a few that are just adorable (my personal opinion, of course)

Swinging with Daddy

when was the last time you saw one of these? 

holding hands is super important :)

Jackie on a very strange swing- 

5 families, 1 house bring on the WV

This weekend is one that we have looked forward to for quite some time. We headed out for our annual neighborhood fall getaway to a house in the woods with kids. We had 5 families and 7 kids all under 2.5 years old. Most think we must be nuts, but it's pretty great to see all these kiddos grow up together.

Clay teaching Jackie (2) and Lucy (2.5) how to play chess-- someone was getting a little frustrated that they weren't quite getting it :)

Lucy, Jackie, L and Lonna after a rousing round of Ring Around the Rosy

We went to Cacapon State Park for a hike. Here is L ready to go!

Henry (almost 3 months) and Molly

Naomi (6 months) and Jess 

our hike along a little stream

Pete and Jackie up on top

Team Carlyle

The view from the top

TV didn't work so they had to watch the Texas game on Clay's new computer

the most coveted toy--Avery's doll stroller. Jackie loved taking L for a ride.

Love these two

good morning hello from Jackie

21 Months

The biggest transition this month has been to your big girl bed. We are so proud of how you have made this transition and how you have been very good about sleeping in your bed! Only once have we walked in to find you on the floor, but you were sound asleep and none of us is entirely certain how that happened.

We will probably continue to say this, but your Dad and I really think that this time with you is our favorite so far but that it is also the most difficult. Our home is abuzz with your laughter and songs. You love to dance around and your favorite game right now is chase. You also love the scare game where we hide from you and then jump out. 

You are very good at testing our ability to be consistent. For the first half of this month you were in time out every day for throwing food on the floor. This has slowly started to improve. We also have been working on eating with your spoon or fork and not your hands. We are pretty flexible with most things but you seem to go back to eating your yogurt with your fingers just about every time and remind us that you are not yet 100% a "big girl." 

For most of this month your hand has been in your mouth -- it seems like you are getting your molars. You do not seem overly uncomfortable most of the time, but your poor little teeth keep reminding you that something is going on in there.  

This next month will be filled with family and friends. The highlight will be you meeting your very first cousin-- Talan!  You can already say his name and can find his nose and eyes in every picture.  

We love you Laurelea and can't wait for all the adventures this next month brings,
Mommy and Daddy

She now climbs up and will smile for the picture

but you have to be quick as she is then on the move

L and her Daddy