New Year's Eve - 2011

12/31/2011
Staying up "late" on New Year's Eve and having root beer floats.  (I think we were in bed by 9 or so, but that's pretty late for us!)

Party Animal Wyatt is ready to party all night long!!!

Christmas 2011

12/25/2011
There's nothing better than being a kid on Christmas morning.  For us grown-ups, being able to watch your kids open presents on Christmas morning is also a special treat.  We feel very fortunate that we are able to give our kids a nice Christmas, and we are thankful for our families that spoil them!

First things first, stocking stuffers!

Will is opening up his big present from Santa, a construction crane!

 And Pea is snuggled up with her new American Girl baby.

 Strawberry Shortcake dress...

Somehow playing with the boxes is more fun than the toys themselves.  I think next year we will just get our kids a bunch of different sized boxes.

Taking down the Christmas lights.  Until next year!

 Wyatt's new wagon is a hit!

Christmas Eve 2011

12/24/2011
All dressed up in their Christmas jammies, putting out Santa's magic key.  Since we don't have a chimney, we put out the "magic key" so Santa can come in to fill our stockings and leave presents under the tree...if we've been good, of course.

 Buddy is explaining the story of the magic key to Pea.

 Setting out cookies for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer.

 A Helland Family tradition, the kids all get to open one present on Christmas Eve.

 It looks like Wyatt has bypassed his present and gone straight for the Kahlua???  Where did that come from?

 Goofing around before bed...

 Daddy and the kids reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Wyatt apparently is acting out the story in an interpretive dance.

 Our family Christmas tree, with all the presents underneath.  This has to be the most beautiful tree we have ever had.



When the Girls Are Away, The Boys Will Play

12/17/2011
While the girls were out running errands, the boys stayed home to get some play time outside.  This was one of Wyatt's first times on his tricycle (hand-me-down from Will, of course).  He loved it because he felt like he was just like his big brother, even though we had to go pretty slow because a couple of times he was close to sliding off.

 

 We made if over to the park.  As you can see, Will loves to climb (hence throwing his bike down and not pausing to take off his helmet).

Back home for lunch.  Especially in this picture, we think Wyatt looks so much like Will did at this age.



President Peters?

12/15/2011
While we watching the Republican presidential debate one night, Will ran upstairs and put on his tie and said, "Look Daddy, I'm the government."  Then he had us build him a podium complete with microphone.  If some day Will becomes a powerful legislator Washington, I guess we could look back at this day as the beginning of his political career?

Visiting Santa

12/12/2012

Wyatt's first visit with Santa...poor WyGuy.  But it wouldn't be a classic Santa picture without one kid crying, right?

Leading up to Christmas 2011

12/10/2011 - 12/23/2011

We always try to pack as much Christmas events in as possible during the holiday season to make it extra special for the kids.  (It's pretty special for us, too.)  We have a lot of fun and make many good memories along the way.  Below are pictures of just some of the things we did in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Pictures with Mrs. Claus, then a train ride through Country Village.

 

Movie night!!!  Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,a timeless classic.

Buddy and Pea, mailing their letters to Santa.

Making our annual family gingerbread house.

Making Christmas cookies.  First you mix...

...then you lick!

 Three proud kids and a job well done!

Ice skating at Seattle Center...the look of terror on Daddy's face is real.

 Mommy and Buddy having some fun.

 Waving to Mommy as she speeds by.

 Big sister and little brother love.

Mommy and the kids take Grandma Helland to University Village.