Fall and Winter

Hi friends and family! We're still here and have so much catching up to do...!  In the past several months, we've had a great visit from Morgan's dad, Grandpa Rock, said goodbye to Tish's stepmom, Bubbie, who was here for 2 months taking care of Elliott, celebrate a Starwars themed Halloween, seen cousins and Auntie Claire and Uncle Tony for Thanksgiving, Elliott's first Christmas in Ohio.... so many wonderful visits and firsts, all on hardly any sleep and enjoying this happy chaos. 

 Melina loved getting to visit with Grandpa Rock!!

 It was a quick visit but he got lots of baby time.

 Our blue eyed boy.

 Melina pulled out all the stops!

 Except going down the salmon slide, she really didn't want to go down the salmon slide.

 Bubbie and Elliott were besties!!

 Melina is baby-entertainer-in-chief

 Bubbie and Melina had lots of special time while she was here.

 Elliott and Ellie hanging out in the hay.

 PEPS buddies!! I love these kiddos so much.

 Princess Leia and her Ewok friend.

 Getting her hair done by Bubbie.

 Full family photo!

 Elliott gets snuggles with Auntie Hallie and Joanie!

 Our pumpkins.

 Star wars family!

It turns out that Morgan makes a great Han Solo... then and now. 

 Our neighbor was Darth Vader! Melina was thrilled. 

 Melina sorting her loot. It turns out, that was her favorite thing to do with it.

 This guy!

 These two!

 Celebrating Dawn and Diev's wedding with friends in Santa Cruz!! Lucky Elliott got passed all around since Mama was traveling solo.

 Pete DF was a wonderful host and baby entertainer.

 I miss that place!!!

 Elliott did great on his first plane ride.

 Melina was very glad to have us home again.

 Dancing time with Ivy.

 We SO loved having Auntie Claire, Uncle Tony and cousins Kate and Ty here for Thanksgiving! We missed cousin Will but he was having his own adventure in Costa Rica.

 Exploring at Discovery Park.

 Playground near our house.

 Cousins!!

 Melina was thrilled to have them here.

This picture is awesome.

 Thanksgiving dinner!

 A very cold three year old.

 This is before the tears.

 So much sadness. I think she needed another layer under her snow suit. 

 Attempting to sled. 

 But hey, we found a tree! (very quickly)

 Such a happy little fellow!

He loves his pet snake made by Auntie Buzzy!

 Ivy and Melina at the zoo.

 Santa visited Melina's preschool!

 Elliott by the tree at our house.

 Melina and her graham cracker ginger bread house!

 Elliott gets his first solid food!

 Melina and Mama went to see the Nutcracker!

 She insisted on bringing and changing into her dance shoes.

On our way to Ohio! This kiddo has so much luck talking her way into the pilot's seat! 

 We finally got to meet these babies!!! All born within a week of each other.

 At Papa's house in Ohio, playing with Tish's American Girl Doll, Kirsten. 

 Snuggles with Auntie.

 A balmy Christmas morning in Ohio. 

 Santa gave Melina a Hello Kitty toothbrush.

 Loving these crowns from Bubbie!

 Sometimes Mama gets to wear a crown too.

 She loves putting on shows... and changing her costumes...many times.

 Hanging out with the Hustons!

 Elliott getting some Papa time at the Boonshoft Children's Museum.

 Home in Seattle, and very jetlagged.

 Science!! She loved it! Thank you so much Aunt Barb and Uncle Rob!

 I love that expression.

Very proud of her work!

 Meanwhile, this one is quietly learning how to crawl....

It turns out that the path to crawling was very similar (and circuitous, involving this move) for both kiddos. 

Here is a photo of Melina at nearly the same age! 

 We went ice skating!!

 Melina slipped all around in that thingy - it was (apparently) very nerve-wracking for some of us.

 Goofy times with Ivy.

 Getting yucks out at the playground.

 Duet!

 Rainbow from our front porch.

We've been pretty isolated these days... getting out is so hard! Thankfully our friends are willing to come to us! 

 Such a happy boy!!

This kiddo is on the move these days and pulling up on anything he can!

Melina has been entertaining us with stories, she is particularly interested in constellations! She is obsessed with seeing Sirius, the dog star before it goes to the "other side of the country" for the summer. The other night she successfully found Orion. We can't wait to see what she gets into next.