Sunday, January 15, 2012

Christmas Part 1: The Tree

Our family had a wonderful December!  I'll try to catch up on all our fun happenings within the next blog post, or two.

We kicked off the season by picking out our Christmas Tree.  Eloise LOVED wandering around the tree lot.  In fact, the whole Christmas decorating experience this year was such a pleasure for her.  It's so fun to watch her discover all the magic and wonder of Christmas.  







A tree just her size!

After picking out the perfect tree, it was time to go home and decorate!  Eloise got to break out one of her special Christmas 'jammies' for the event. 




Throwing the ornaments was just as fun as putting them on the tree.







She took her job very seriously...



Posing by the finished tree





We couldn't resist snapping more shots of her by the tree on a following Sunday.  I love this little Scandinavian Christmas dress I found for her last year: 






















Thursday, December 8, 2011

Thanksgiving in Seattle

We spent a wonderful week in Seattle with my side of the family.  Ali and Justin hosted the entire party (Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Aaron, Carina and kids, and our family).  Whew!  They are truly the best hosts ever!  It was a chaotic and beautiful week, with lots of great food and fun.

Thanksgiving Day we were joined by all of Rhonda and Peter's family.  We felt blessed to have the entire Putnam clan together!  The food was AMAZING-- The Moistest Turkey ever (courtesy Ali), gourmet stuffing, corn pudding, perfectly whipped potatoes, pumpkin white hot chocolate, and a delicious antipasto appetizer spread, just to name a few of the contributions.  It was truly a feast of plenty!









Earlier that day, a few brave adults took the kids on a hike.  Translation: the ladies preparing the meal needed the kids OUT of the house.  Here are some shots of that adventure: 









Earlier in the week, Dad took me on an eating tour of Pike's Place Market.  He had taken a professionally given tour with Ali the year earlier and learned all of the great eating spots of the area combined with a little history.  Dad was able to recreate the tour for me.  Boy was I a lucky girl!  This type of "food crawl" is a pregnant foody's fantasy!  Piroshki's, home-made mac and cheese (at a place where they make the cheese on site!), from-scratch hot and fresh donuts, smoked-salmon crepes, traditional English crumpets, etc...  I was in heaven.  But truly the best part about it was spending one-on-one time with my amazing father.  

Two Piggies



Finally, I have to mention an event that occurred the night before our departure.  Let me ask you, what kind of crazies would decide to go clam-digging in freezing weather at midnight?!  These guys: 


Please note the Ziploc bags tied around Hansen's ankles.  Classy.  They had a great time, and we got word the next day that all enjoyed an amazing feast of clams.  

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Halloween

Eloise loves sheep.  She has a particular fondness for Shaun the Sheep, an animated series from the makers of Wallace and Gromit.  Anyway, her halloween costume was a clear choice this year.  We had two days of fun.  Saturday we spent a lovely day with Grandma and Grandpa, Rhonda and Jasmine.  Eloise tried on her costume for the group.  We then went to the ward halloween carnival.  Eloise had a blast!  Monday, Hansen and I took her on her first Trick or Treating adventure.  Honestly, isn't she an ADORABLE sheep?!



                       


At the carnival...







 Rhonda is the best!!

 Mom, lemme go!!



 TRICK OR TREAT!!!!
















Back at home, sorting her spoils...








I hope everybody had a Happy Halloween!!