Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we headed down to Oma & Grandpa's house in Anacortes.  We hit our favorite local breakfast joint in the morning (2 years in a row now, maybe starting a tradition?) and then hung out for the rest of the morning.  Early afternoon we started packing up the wagon for the trek and quickly found we had too much stuff and not enough space.  After some creative packing, the family (including Gus) made it down to Anacortes for a casual dinner and time enjoying each other's company.  Luna is starting to "get" Christmas & Santa and we had fun talking about Santa and Rudolph - we even left treats for the jolly man and his reindeer!

Where is Gus going to sit?

Gracie found the sparkly ribbon too intriguing to leave alone

Daddy & Gracie

Gracie loved the rider toy; especially the buttons that made noise!

Luna playing ball in her Christmas PJ's

Grace is pulling herself up on EVERYTHING these days

Reading the "Polar Express"

Oma & her girls

Wanting to start walking to catch up with big sis' Luna!

So excited for Santa's visit

Milk, cookies (the burnt ones are for the reindeer) & carrots.  A dictated note for the Big Man along with Luna's signature.

Hanging with Grandpa

Getting ready for bed in the studio

Sisterly Love

Hanging with my girls

Brian left Saturday morning on an epic road trip with Brian & Roxy.  I get the first week of break to hang with my girls, unwind and get in the holiday spirit.  We have been keeping it pretty low key, mostly around the house with a few outings out and about.  Here's a bit of what we have been up to....

Hanging out with the Christmas tress in Fairhaven.  It wasn't really sunny out, but Luna insisted on wearing her sunglasses.

Oh yeah.  So cool.

Giving me the double thumbs up as we were about to see Santa Claus.  I think we finally got a good pic!

Post-Santa picture, we went to Boundary Bay for lunch with Oma.  Luna insisted on  wearing her tiara and visiting the goat at the Depot.  Why not?

Gracie wanted to ride on the cart too.

Mom, please stop taking my picture so I can eat my doughnut already

Yum, yum!

Thumbs up for pink doughnuts

Rutherford Family Christmas

The annual Rutherford family Christmas celebration was hosted by Uncle Cal & Auntie Nancy this year.  We had a great time visiting with cousins, aunts & uncles I don't get to see often enough.  Gracie got lots of auntie time and Luna LOVED hanging out with her cousins Kenedee & Nolan.  The big event of the afternoon was a visit by Santa Claus.  Luna was so sure about the whole situation.  "That's not Santa Claus.  That's the man." she kept saying.  Smart girl.  She soon got over it, though, when he started passing out presents.

Gracie with cousin Garrett, home from Boston

The cousins: Kristen, Colby, Emily & me (with Ms. Grace)

Kenedee & Luna swiping some cake frosting

Nolan & Grace on Santa's lap

Cousin Hugo & Gracie with Santa

Hugo and the big guy

Winter Walk

Despite a little bit of cold, it has been a pretty nice winter so far.  We decided to take advantage of some sunshine and head out to one of our favorite low land walks along Lake Whatcom.  All bundled up, we had a great time getting some sun, walking Gus and enjoying this beautiful place we call home.

Gracie waving 

What a ham.  Wonder where she gets it from?

Luna walking Gus

Lighted Boat Parade

We headed down to LaConner again this year for the annual Lighted Boat Parade.  Uncle Ken & Auntie Steph were kind enough to host us in their hotel room so we could visit and eat inside and pop out on the deck when the boats were parading past.  The highlight of this year's parade was the singing reindeer with Santa Claus (Luna's favorite).  In typical fashion for me these days, I completely failed to get any pictures of the boats or of our time hanging out with the rest of the family.  I did manage to get a few shots of Luna goofing around on her quick loop through LaConner though. She had fun checking out all the festive decorations as we window shopped.

Posing for Mom in front of the lit up Santa train

Luna was dancing and talking with this mechanical Santa that sang and moved in front of one of the local shops.

Eating crab legs

Sorry, Luna.  This was too funny not to include.

Giving some love to Rudolph

Christmas Lights!

Growing up, one of my favorite holiday memories was piling into the family station wagon with blankets & hot cocoa, then driving around looking at Christmas lights.  Luna is in LOVE with Christmas lights and so we decided to head out in search of the ultimate Christmas light displays in the 'ham.  Luna & Gracie got into their PJ's, we brought blankets & hot cocoa and set out in search of the ultimate Griswold extravaganza.  I think we will make this an annual event:)

All snuggly and ready to go!

Luna trying on the way-cool Christmas light glasses in preparation for our trip.

Gracie's growing so fast!

Gracie is now pulling herself up on things, especially her crib.  What happened to the last 8 months??  Before we know it she will be walking and talking!  In the meantime, we had to drop the crib mattress down to its lowest setting so she can't flip herself out.  She is quite proud of herself, though.  Even if it means big sister Luna tries to push her down through the slats in the crib.....

Gingerbread House

Luna's preschool made gingerbread houses at the beginning of December and entered their "village" into the Port Festival at the Ferry Terminal in Fairhaven.  We decided to head down to check it out with the Hinderman's and found out the kids won first place in their division!  Future architects, maybe?

Luna's house on the corner

The whole gingerbread village

Blue Ribbon, baby!

Luna & Marcus posing with their creation

Avery was along for the ride, keeping the hungry caterpillar away from all the gingerbread houses

Swiper, no swiping!  Luna kept trying to eat her house

We walked down to the beach after the festival

Luna & Marcus throwing rocks

Gracie chilling in the Ergo.