Playing catch-up before the onslaught of Christmas photos

Clare invited her classmate Sophie over for a play date -- first time
ever that she's asked a girl to come over! :)

Atticus was at the bus stop one morning last week.
Clare is both fascinated and terrified of this sweet,
gigantic dog.

Such a beauty.

Clare climbed off the bus wearing these "flying binoculars"
that she built.

Wearing a teddy bear's Santa suit.

The last day before holiday break ended up being a snow day.
So no holiday concert and no presents for the teachers until January,
but the kids were pretty pleased nonetheless.

Clare immediately created this indoor snowscape,
complete with the gingerbread doll she made in class
the day before.

Xander got to play out in the snow for a bit,
though he had to take it easy because he's been
nursing a nasty cough after his last cold.

Clare's cough was worse, so she didn't get to play in it. (Sad face.)
Luckily, she did get out in it a bit (and wearing her brand new snow
boots from Anya!) when the kids helped me deliver Christmas
treats to friends and neighbors.

They were such great helpers that I let them stop at Little Caesar's
(their favorite pizza, but I can barely stand it).

X couldn't believe his luck.

Helping deliver one last box of goodies.

Clare and I headed to Seattle on Saturday (X had a basketball
game so he and M stayed behind) to see friends and start
our holiday celebrations.

First stop: Kate, Jessica & Henry's.

Clare LOVES her zombie doll from Henry.

May we never act our age.

Next, we headed to Randall & Beatrice's house. Randall and I
were friends in college -- I haven't seen him since he and B got
married 10 years ago!

It was a cookie-decorating party and it was absolutely
festive and perfect.

Beatrice & sweet Charlotte.

Eying those treats.

Xander loved his book from Henry.

Lining up her dolls.

Michael snapped these fantastic photos of Clare, on Sunday morning,
talking excitedly about all the presents under the tree.

We had friends over Sunday afternoon for a little holiday party.

Love having a house full of kids!

Did not love watching the Seahawks lose. :(

I posted a picture of this fantastic drawing Xander
made of Manny Ramirez to Instagram -- and Manny's
wife "liked" it!

The Winters came over for dinner Friday night after we went and
saw a movie. Emily is in town from college and joined us!

After dinner, Xander, Anya, and Clare presented us with tickets
to a "great concert."

It was a sort of spoken-word event about wild animals,
finished up with a bit of singing.

It was, indeed, a great concert.

Perhaps we'll start a new tradition of going to a family movie
on the afternoon of Christmas eve.

We saw "Frozen" and all really, really liked it.

I took the kids to the crazy Christmas lights at James Street Estates
(aka a trailer park here in Bellingham that gets way decked out every year).

Just before bedtime on Christmas eve, fully loaded with sugar.

Talking to Grandpa and Grandma on the phone right before bedtime.

If Xander has any doubts about the man in red,
he's not letting on.