Dinner in Washington

After Demitri's party we hit the road headed for Tri-Cities, WA. We own two Curves clubs there, and Gary and I haven't been back to visit them for almost 2 years. Our manager, Lana, is not only a talented and devoted employee, but also a good friend of mine, so we're never worried. We decided to take all of the employees out for a nice Holiday dinner.

The only thing we forgot was a bib.

Madelyn got restless at the table, and we were all a little surprised when we set her down and she fearlessly crawled across a big room to where another toddler was playing underneath a high chair. I followed her closely, but let her explore the room and interact with this other little boy in their own little language.

Back at the table reading a story to Lana so Mommy can finish her dinner

Demitri's Birthday Party

December 26th was our friend Demitrius' first birthday! We went to his DUCKY birthday party on December 29th. He is getting very good at walking!

Watching the birthday boy open presents

A veritable PILE of toddlers

Demitri is playing with the name puzzle we got him. It's kind of special since I don't imagine you'll find this one on most store shelves. Madelyn got one for her birthday too.

Eddie gave Madelyn a very special hockey player card. I think it was for his rival team, but it was still pretty nice of him.

Taking a little taste of the birthday presents

More tummy tickles from Daddy

Madelyn discovered this awesome car, and Demitri's grandma, Diane Rose, was kind enough to push her up and down the hall for a few minutes.

Demitri's grandpa, Norm Rose, even played with Madelyn. I have many fond memories of time spent with Norm and Diane since I've been good friends with Sarah since we were in 4th grade.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEMITRI!

Another Christmas

Since the girls were feeling so rotten Christmas Day, we celebrated with Gary's family on the 26th. After a delicious dinner, Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Dale brought out Madelyn's big Christmas present--fully assembled and ready to play with!

Madelyn really had fun walking around and around the loop between the family room and kitchen with her new pushing toy.

Look at me go!

One handed maneuver

Thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa!

Madelyn's shirt says, "Santa's got nothing on Grandma." How true, Little One, how true.Tickles from Dad
Making his hands play peek-a-boo

Merry Christmas!

Opening gifts at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Madelyn got the Baby Signing Time set. The only thing she ever watches on TV is The O'Reilly Factor or Blazer games with Dad, but I have heard really good things about these DVDs, so we're giving it a try.

Super-Jack and Madelyn playing with the best part: the garbage!

On the way to my parents house, Madelyn threw up in the car. We thought she might have been a little carsick. Then Yuka said she was feeling really ill, and spent most of Christmas lying in bed at my parents house. When Gary got Madelyn up from her nap, she promptly puked all over him and the blanket that we had just washed. It was very sad to see them both so sick, and on Christmas too! Two of my nephews had gotten sick the night before and couldn't even come to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We wonder if there was a bug at the Alder family party on Sunday night, since that was the only place they were all together before today. Madelyn was acting happy except when she threw up, so I don't think she felt all that bad. Yuka, on the other hand, was quite miserable. A very unfortunate way to spend her only Christmas in the USA. Thankfully, everyone was better by the next day.

On a more positive note, we had a white Christmas! I can't remember the last time we had snow on Christmas. This is the beautiful view from the back of our house.

Stockings

Madelyn and Yuka in their matching jammies on Christmas morning

Learning about the letter 'Y'

Pulling out stocking goodies!

Madelyn got some goldfish crackers, a juice box, and a snowman kazoo thingie. Yeah, we went all out.

Christmas Eve Jammies

I am stealing a Christmas tradition from my cousin Jennifer Alder's family. Every Christmas Eve they open one gift, and it is always their new Pajamas, which of course they wear that night and the next morning for Christmas. So I am starting it for our family now!

Yuka and Madelyn getting ready to open a present!

Madelyn is trying to help Daddy open his.
And she is actually tearing the paper! (doesn't quite get the opening presents thing yet)

Madelyn and Yuka's new PJ's had matching polka dots. Is it weird to give Yuka American Hello Kitty pajamas? Hmmm.

Auntie Sarah

On the way home from Pittock Mansion, we stopped at the Rose household to visit Sarah and Eddie (Demitri was taking a nap) and give them a little Christmas gift. Madelyn is wearing a Santa hat and making a funny face in this picture.

Pittock Mansion

On Christmas Eve we toured the Pittock Mansion's "Fairy Tale Christmas" display with Aunt Laurel, Ethan, and Shelby. Every room in the mansion was decorated to reflect a different fairy tale story. It was very crowded, but a nice opportunity to take Yuka to this interesting tourist attraction in Portland.

Here we are in the mansion's kitchen, where they had a gingerbread house display...not sure which fairy tale it was.

Behind us Hansel and Gretl are indulging in fancy sweets in the Breakfast Room.

Ethan took this lovely photo of us in the back of Pittock Mansion.

Yuka and Madelyn overlooking downtown Portland.

And Ethan took this adorable picture too!

Family Party

My parents unveiled a new family tradition this year. A few days before Christmas we had a family party. After the kids each opened one gift from my parents, they were sent upstairs to play. Then each adult drew a number, which corresponded to large, numbered red bins. We took turns opening them and showing off their contents. Each bin contained great gifts such as small appliances, food, toys for kids, movie tickets, etc., plus an envelope of cold, hard cash. After everyone had emptied their bin, we all traded and bought from each other! So in the end, everyone went home with some wonderful presents for the family, plus a wad of cash. It was so much fun, and I know my parents had a great time organizing it for us. Can't wait for next year!

One of the gifts in Gary's bin was a set of the most comfortable camping chairs ever created. He and Madelyn are lounging in front of a Blazer game.

Madelyn and Jack played with Audrey's new blocks, and the dolly that my good friend Melinda gave to Madelyn for Christmas. (She loves it!)

Moms Clubs Party

Aunt Diana with Jack and Madelyn at our Moms Club Christmas Party

Don't you love Aunt Diana, Madelyn?

Playing with our friend Lilly

Looking out the window

Hanging out with Bryson

Pigtails

For her birthday, Madelyn's friend Paloma gave her what seems like a never-ending supply of tiny hairbands (so it's okay if some get lost). I decided to try pigtails on Madelyn--her hair is just barely long enough for two tiny ones.

Her Daddy especially loves pigtails, which will be so adorable when her hair is a little longer!

Also, Madelyn had her one-year checkup yesterday. She weighs a whopping 18 and a half pounds, which is about 15th percentile. Her height and head circumference are in the 50th percentile. She got FOUR shots, which is always so horrible to witness. She was actually supposed to get six, but the nurse suggested we wait on the two live vaccines due to the illness Madelyn had over the weekend; she didn't want to confuse the symptoms since there was a chance she had chickenpox. But don't worry, she didn't.

Playgroup Party

Another baby in our playgroup turned one this week. Her mom hosted the group, and we celebrated Madelyn and Natalia's first birthdays with snacks and a little cake for the big "kids."

Paloma, Madelyn, Liliana, and Natalia

Paloma will be one in January, so it's really fun to have these cute girls Madelyn's age to play with.

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