The Grand Finale

We had an amazing Christmas week in Spokane with my whole family. The magic of Christmas continued to awe Sophie, and she appeared to grow up so much in just 7 days!  No detail was overlooked at my parent's house--from the family room which became the "Santa Room" to the 5 Christmas trees to the delicious meals to the Christmas music blasting all through the house.  Sophie got to spend quality time with her Grandma and PaPa and her Uncle Chris and Auntie Ali. The week was filled with laughter, gluttony, relaxation, excessive generosity, good company, and lots of play!  Words cannot do justice to this week...it was truly magic!

Sophie loved playing in the 3rd floor and riding "Chicago".

FUN IN THE SNOW!

Sophie even went "sledding" with Papa!  She was squealing with delight.

We made a gingerbread house that D said looked like "an Afghan mud brick house with flair!"

Papa and Sophie continued their tradition of making waffles. 

Grandma and Sophie made special Christmas cookies. 

And Sophie and I made M & M cookies for Santa.

Auntie Ali was full of surprises all week and spoiled Sophie with gifts like this ornament painting set. 

The Whitfield 3 went to the family church service where Sophie boldly and loudly stated "I'm ready to go bye-bye.  I want to go back to Grandma and Papa's house RIGHT NOW!"  She said this right during the sermon....

We all got new jammies on Christmas Eve. 

Santa gave Sophie her orange cat and green hot mitt! He also threw in a kitchen for good measure!

After a busy Christmas morning, Sophie was exhausted--eating 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cuddling her new puppy pillow, and sitting in a comatose state in front of a holiday show.  

Thank you Grandma and Papa for a MAGICAL Christmas!

Adding to the Christmas excitement was B2 who kicked and moved and prodded all week long.  Doug can even feel B2's movements.  This is so much earlier than with Sophie, so I'm convinced B2 is big (which explains my growth...) or that B2 will be coming early!

Our cute Sophie snoozed on the drive home this afternoon....so much excitement over the entire month of December has worn us ALL out.

Christmas, Days 12-18

Enjoying a cupcake after sitting on Santa's knee

December 12th:  Daddy's Birthday! 

We took a break from our Christmas month extravanganza to give Doug his due honor---Jesus wasn't the only guy with a birthday this month.  Sophie picked out a bouncy ball for Daddy (I think I'll learn from her present-giving tactics, and next year, I'll give Doug a new pair of women's shoes for his bday).

December 13th: Finishing Touches on Ornaments and Tissue Paper Wreath Craft

December 14th: Visit to Snowflake Lane and Mitten Crafts

December 15th: Family Tradition Gone Awry

For the past two years, the three of us have taken black and white strip-photos in one of those little photo booths.  We have the photos framed in our house, and we plan to have an entire gallery wall for each year's photos.  The tradition then includes going to a particular Irish restaurant for dinner.  Each year has been so fun--first, with our nearly 2-month old and last year, with our 1 year old.  This year, we got excited and dressed, Sophie practiced all her funny faces for the photos, and we headed out...only to find that the arcade with the photo booth was closed for a private function.  I nearly threw a tantrum.  So, we decided to go to an Italian restaurant for dinner to drown our sorrows/disappointment in pasta...this photo was taken when we were all happy...

Minutes later, just as the food arrived, a 2-year old tantrum began.  I left the restaurant with Sophie while Doug wolfed down his lasagna and asked for the bill.  Later that night, Santa called Mommy on the phone because his elves had heard about naughty Sophie.  They had already made her green oven mitt (remember, that's what she asked Santa to bring...) so Santa talked to me about Sophie's naughty behavior.  The look on Sophie's face was priceless.  I'm not sure it was my finest parenting moment (what will I do for the other 11 months of the year?!!), but it worked short-term. 

December 16th: Making Reindeer Treats and Family Tradition Gone RIGHT!

Sophie filled baggies with treats for the reindeer; they will get to enjoy the delicious mixture of oatmeal, raisins, mini marshmellows, red and gold glitter, rice krispies, brown sugar, and sprinkles.  She made her first couple bags for Rudolph and his friend, Clarice (from the movie).  When I asked her what other reindeer we should make snacks for, she said "Dashaway."  Think: "Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!"  Funny.

We also loved getting our black and white photos.  Sophie is the queen of funny faces, so this adventure was perfect for her.

December 17th: Santa Train!!

For the second year, we rode the Santa Train from North Bend to the Snoqualmie depot.  This year, the Nivisons joined us.  While we didn't see Santa, we did enjoy the cookies, the trains, and the Christmas decorations.

December 18th: Christmas Tree Picnic Dinner and Snowflake Lane Date with Daddy 

D texted me these photos.  Sophie had talked all week about going back to see the Polar Bear. I think she's ready for Disneyland....!  

1 week until Christmas!! Merry Christmas to all!