After we went through the exhibits we were walking back to the car and it was so cold! We decided to go into Ivar's and get some yummy soup. We got seated right by the window where we could see the ferry, and there was this big circle of what looked like seal flippers but couldn't be. So we decided it was floating logs, but some of them would move... We were staring out there when the waitress came and she told us that it was a group of seal cows and that they were birthing! The males were swimming around the circle protecting them and they had their flippers up in the air to help with circulation and warmth. That was so cool! Oh, and lunch was delicious. I had the seafood chowder and it was the best! I also had some yummy pulled pork croquets, and they were also delicious.
The ward had our Christmas Party in the morning this year, and it was a yummy breakfast. First we got to go and meet Santa, and I was pretty sure that Henry was just going to scream. When it was our turn I tried to hand him to Santa and Henry latched onto me like a monkey and started screaming. I handed him to Rusty and Rusty just stood by Santa for the pictures, but Henry was not happy at all. As soon as he was done he came back to me and turned around and said, "bye bye, bye bye" to Santa haha. He was not a fan. Maybe next year.
Something that we tried to do last year and is on my bucket list for before we leave Seattle is the Warm Beach Christmas Lights. It is about 15 acres of beautiful lights and lots of fun activities to do with kids. In lots of ways I'm really glad it didn't work last year (the traffic was so bad we decided to turn around) because this year was perfect. It was not crowded at all, I think we stood in one line for everything, and the activities were so much more fun with Henry at this age! And we only got a little bit of rain. We went with the Hudsons and we were also babysitting a little girl named Skye. The lights were gorgeous and we got to ride on the Polar Express, meet Santa (Henry didn't cry this time!), eat yummy mini donuts and hot chocolate, go through a 3D display of The Night Before Christmas, and do pony rides.
It was snowy here a couple of times, and I was so excited about it! Hooray! It was such a wonderful change of pace for the weather, and it really made it feel Christmasy. The first time was during a week day so Henry and I met the Hudsons at the church field to go sledding.
We had such a fun time decorating the tree! Of course, we had the chip dip and watched Rudolph. It was great and Henry had fun. He loves to do everything that his daddy does!
We also got to go to the Nativity Festival in the church by the Bellevue Temple, and be there for the Messiah Singalong! There were lots of fun little activities, but I couldn't convince either of my boys to do the dressing up part haha. There was a really magnificent room that went through Jesus' life with pictures and props and you could feel the spirit so strongly. Henry was done by the time the singalong started, so we only stayed for a little bit.
I had my first appointment with Dr. Nicolov and we got to see the baby on an ultrasound and hear his/her heartbeat for the first time! It was such a magical experience and I felt so strongly that this baby was meant to come to our family. The baby bump is just growing like crazy! I think I felt some kicking at the end of the month, the night of the 30. It was the middle of the night but I hadn't fallen asleep yet. I woke Rusty up and he was so excited!
A lot of the month was spent in baking holiday treats! Henry absolutely loves helping in the kitchen, so he had a blast. He even made some special cookies for Daddy and frosted them himself. :)
Christmas Eve was an absolutely perfect day! It had snowed so we went to the church field and took Henry sledding! He was having so much fun. He just kept saying, "Go!" The night before we went out to dinner (and to buy a sled because we didn't have one!) and then the boys made a snowman!
Christmas Eve making cinnamon rolls!
Yummy Christmas Eve treats!
Christmas Eve present opening!
Santa's cookies
Christmas morning!
We watched our friends' kids for two days so they could go on a trip together, and we took all of the kids to a jumping place called Jump, Rattle and Roll. It was lots of fun! Henry didn't quite know what to do, he isn't good at jumping yet. But he liked the slide and the train set!
New Year's was spent at the Hudson's playing Bunco! Rusty and I each got a Bunco, which means we each got to wear the awesome Bunco hat!
Henry's Highlights:
- He is talking SO MUCH! He says "No way!" which is bad, but also hilarious haha. It's one of my favorite things because now if I have gone to a different room or something he runs around yelling, "Mom!" until I answer. I'm sure at some point that might get annoying, but for now I love feeling like he needs me.
- Pink eye. :( Henry hasn't really gotten sick much, but I started going to the gym and I put him in a day care while I work out. At the beginning of the month he got pink eye, but it didn't slow him down much. He hated having the drops put in, but it started to clear up by the next day!
Extra Pictures
