A celebration for Madison

Our little Madison had quite the celebration for her impending arrival. What a special afternoon- from the decorations, to the incredible food/hot cocoa bar, to the beautiful little girly outfits, to the special friends that surround us- just as excited to meet her as we are! I felt so special and celebrated. Man it is fun to wash all those ruffle bum bottoms and little pink outfits thinking about the little girl that will fill them soon.

Jumping into 2013!

As quick as time flies these days, it's not surprising we've made our way into a new year. Colter and I went over to my sister's house on New Years Eve afternoon for a board game party.  

Ben had to pick up our neighbors from the airport so he missed the party, and we didn't even make it to 10 pm! New Years has changed quite a bit with the addition of kiddos!

New Years day we had our neighbors over for a yummy pancake breakfast and then we headed out to the polar bear plunge. It was a beautiful sunny 42 degrees when Mark and Ben made the plunge. brrr.

2013 should be an amazing year as we welcome our sweet Madison in just a few weeks!!

Christmas 2012

What a fantastic Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, someone made a joke about having to stay up late to put together presents, and Ben and I realized that we had totally forgot to put together Colter's new trampoline. I had heard rumors that it was crazy hard to install, so there we were- Christmas Eve trying to figure out some crazy directions! Ben figured them out and it only took 2 hours :)

We spent Christmas morning at home, taking things slow and enjoying being together. We made a super tasty coffee cake and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, opened a few presents, and played played played! This year was so much fun to see Colter so excited about the holiday.. from the endless requests for "angel songs" as he strummed his guitar, to his enthusiastic cry for lights every night, to his actual understanding of presents and the concept of opening them.. it was a blast.

I wish I wouldn't forget this sweet boy and his guitar. How he bends his knees and holds the guitar under his armpit to clap, how he prances around like a horse while playing, how he loudly exclaims "next song" if he doesn't like what you're singing, or how he almost always wants an angel song.

We got him a UPS and mail truck for Christmas and could have stopped there. He held them all day long.

His other present was connect 4 because he loves his "tokens." It will be fun when he gets the concept of the game, but for now it's a great concentration game! 

He's still working on his jumping skills, but he's definitely got his tip toe and leg swing move down to perfection. 

After 3 gifts, he was so satisfied, we just kind of forgot about the rest. Over the next few days after Christmas we opened a few here and there and I think he thought that presents would just keep coming forever!

Here I am with baby Madison- 34 weeks!

I can't BELIEVE I didn't take a picture of Ben with his gift this year. I'll get one soon. I love my hubby more than anything. He constantly serves our family without complaining and works hard to make our family wonderful. He's been wanting a new tv forever and i've always been pretty against it because our budget is pretty tight and we don't watch a lot of tv. I decided soon after Thanksgiving that I wanted to totally surprise him with one to thank him for everything he does for us. Somehow I held onto my secret for a month and had my brother in law store it at his work. They brought it over on Christmas Eve and put it in my neighbor's house that we were watching/feeding their cats. On Christmas morning, we went over together to feed the cats and there was the tv sitting in the living room. I thought he would be more confused, but he knew right away it was for him. Somehow he was able to contain himself to wait to set it up until nap time, but it's been so fun to watch him be so thankful for something he was so patient for. Love you hubby!

On Christmas afternoon we met up with my family (my mom flew into town that afternoon) for Christmas dinner, and the cousins gift exchange. We decided on exchanging books this year and it was so fun to see what everyone picked out. My brother and sister in law got Colter a Boeing aviation set with tons of different airplanes, helicopters, traffic signs, buses, food truck, etc. It's probably the most played with gift.. he LOVES it! 

Merry Christmas from the Crowls!

downtown day 2012

One of our favorite holiday traditions is our downtown day! We had such a fun morning looking at the Macy's train display, sipping hot cocoa (or choco cocoa as Colter calls it), riding the monorail, driving the trains at the Seattle center and riding the carousel. We are so thankful to live in such a fun city that has so many holiday adventures at our fingertips!

                       

                                   

more holiday festivities!

I LOVE December. The lights, the desserts and warm drinks, the fun events around the city, extra family time, our tree all lit up, and the coziness that days upon days of rain brings.

Unfortunately I haven't been that wonderful about taking pictures lately, but I do want to document the fun we had in December.

I had Jessie's kids over for a gingerbread man day. We read the book and baked and decorated a gingerbread man together.

I had the kids go upstairs to look at Colter's new room and my sister took out the gingerbread man and hid him in the garage, leaving a note behind that said "run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me i'm the gingerbread man!" It was so hilarious to watch the kids be confused about where the gingerbread man went.

We went to a FANTASTIC holiday party at the church of one of my old coworkers. It was definitely one of my favorite events of the year. Church members brought their model trains and set them up around a huge room. There were probably 10-15 different incredible train sets at Colter's level. He kept saying "next train! next train!" There was a whole narnia theme with different characters walking around, and you entered through a wardrobe into an incredible snow filled forest of trees. The treats were amazing- seriously the best cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies we've ever had. Not to mention the hot cocoa bar and beautiful live piano music. Colter was mesmerized.. by both the trains and the piano!

After a baby appointment one morning, we went to the teddy bear suite. Colter absolutely loved snuggling up with all the teddy bears!

We ventured down to Kirkland to listen to the argosy cruise ships broadcast Christmas music onto the beach. It was a gorgeous day, but seriously one of the coldest days EVER!!! I think we were all dancing trying to keep warm!

On Christmas Eve we ate some Christmas themed pizzas, baked sugar cookies, played some Just Dance, and caroled around the neighborhood. It is so fun to see people's faces light up and get excited when they open the door. Colter apparently thought it was enter everyone's house day. Definitely didn't understand the concept of waiting outside and then leaving. I'm so thankful for fun family to carol with, and a great neighborhood that enjoys our tunes.

As you can tell from Colter's face, he preferred to eat the dough rather than partake in the cookie cutter process.