Tonight's picture: Kenzie is on the right, hair nicely braided, fingernails painted, waving and smiling. Mason is "shaking," as she put it, on the left in the thunder and lightening. Well, at least she put a heart on his side to show him a little love. And the lightening is only gently grazing the top of his hair.

When I look back at this Christmas 50 years from now, this will certainly be one of the most favorite of all time. We are so incredibly blessed.

We watched the kids mingle with family who take joy in what others might find annoyances, such as Mason's new Wet Willie trick that Uncle Mike taught him, or Kenzie's obsession with showing off her cat to everybody. Repeatedly.

We got to watch little Emily open her pink shiny cowboy boots that we bought her with such sweet and quiet enthusiasm, then wear them all night with her Christmas gown.

Grandpa Bob got Mason's first race car track running, then we all got to take turns putting the match box cars on the hyper-speed loopitee-doo, or whatever you call it.

We got to clean up 100 balls at least a dozen times. That bag of balls was Grampy's proudest gift. Mason opened the present, then immediately opened the bag and turned it upside down. Kenzie's favorite trick is to watch them bounce individually down the stairs. The kittens like that too.

We went to a small church service where Kenzie read into the microphone for the first (and certainly not the last) time. We hugged a couple of people who would leave that service to spend the night alone on the street. Kenzie donned angel wings and her innocence brought smiles to faces in the crowd. Mason walked up to one homeless woman, right hand extended, shook her hand and said, "Mewwy Cwristmas!!" It didn't appear to be the reception she's used to. We lit candles and sang Christmas songs in the dark. We listened to a Vietnam Veteran play his violin in harmony.

Both sets of grandparents came over to spend time alone watching the kids open their presents, then hand them to the grandpas to put together.

Our new neighbors brought us all presents and continue to help us feel welcome in this new town.

Our dear friend Gabe stopped by and spent part of Christmas Eve with us.

Our friend Scott, a former neighbor, donned a red suit to continue the magic. Kenzie's friend Mia was able to come over very spur-of-the-moment as we all felt a bit like a kid again.

We watched a new path be worn in our new hardwood floors. We call it the "scooter path."

Kenzie wondered all day about how Santa got down from our roof to the front porch, how the reindeer landed on our roof, and if "Santa is both a real person and magic -- how can that be?" (And stated the obvious, "that guy's too big to fit in that fireplace.")

We even had a few snow flurries today.

What can be better than seeing the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a five and three year old?

Favorite present - watch that corner.

Kenzie's note reached Santa in time and he showed up at our house! Kenzie's friend Mia was here to help greet him. Don't believe? Watch for yourself! (Sorry, it's a large video, but come on, how often does Santa make house-calls during the day?)




And, thankfully, we got our picture:

Regrettably, we did not get our picture taken with Santa this year. We went to find him last night, but it was too late. Kenzie is pulling out all the stops to see if there's any way we might be able to see him before he heads back north.

Here's a note from Kenzie. It says, "Dear Santa. We missd you bekus we did not get awr [our] pikshr [picture] taken with you. Love Kenzie and Mason! Oh and Santa, did you and your randere [raindeer] like the cookies and the oats?"

She asked me to post it on the blog - I'm also going to email Santa to see if there's any way we can catch him before he goes home. So, Santa, if you're reading this, please let us know how to find you!

New scooters - who's most excited?

Tonight's church was a special service designed for families with small kids and Seattle's homeless. As such, they brought all the kids up to the front for a reading of the Christmas story, and then a story by a member of the homeless community. It was rather long for little kids, but was a nice and casual Christmas Eve.

Kenzie sat amazingly focused, strategically positioned next to the reader. She sat straight up, raised her hand as appropriate, and paid total attention to both stories.

Mason, on the other hand, figured out quickly the aim of the game. As the reader told bits of the story, a volunteer was given the chance to put a figurine into the manger scene. Each time she asked for a volunteer at least fifteen kids would raise their hands. Mason was the littlest, and also was not in a good position to be seen. So, he realized that the person who was handing out the pieces ("behind the scenes") to the kids was his adult friend Julie. Instead of fighting the kid crowd, he went straight to her (which was in plain view of the entire church). She subtly tried to encourage him to sit down, which he did. But he immediately rose again to show her his new shoes. Then he sat down again. Then he rose to...oh no, is he really doing what I think he's doing...lift his shirt and show her his new underwear (yes, he's very proud). When that trick still didn't fetch him a prized wise man, he showed her his "I love you" sign. All the other kids were watching the reader, but he was working the source. At one point he was leaning on the manger scene with one elbow on the hay and a hand in his pocket, talking out of the side of his mouth, as if to be secretive. All we could do was hope for two things (1) that this would end quickly and (2) that she wouldn't give in. It is exactly this type of Eddie Haskel behavior that I'm trying to discourage with him. But, alas, it worked. She gave him three separate "on the side" figurines, which he quickly put in their place center-stage...where he feels most comfortable.

When the homeless lady started to talk about what it's like to be homeless in Seattle, he got bored and returned to us. Kenzie, meanwhile, sat transfixed until the end.

Just before tonight's Christmas Eve church service began, our pastor asked me if I would do the interactive reading. I said, "what about Kenzie?" So, we had all of about 2 minutes to prepare. Kenzie didn't hesitate. We went to the back of the church, walked up to the front behind the pastors, sat up on the stage until it was our time, then she walked right up to the microphone.

Kenzie decided to leave Santa a (very specific) note. It's on the fireplace mantel waiting for his arrival tonight.

I fear that he has already packed his sled and will receive this note when it's too late for the elves to fabricate a "tiny Ariel (Little Mermaid) doll." I have it on good information that it is not currently in his bag.

By the way, I'm not sure if I've mentioned the fact that Kenzie is an avid follower of this blog...if I were to talk in an obstructed manner one could conclude that my subtleties could not be interpreted; however, this manner of communication will be short-lived and all of my revelations will be more fully interpreted. Therefore, I shall let you know that the first generation, to which she is the third, is in desperate search of said item, however with no success yet to report.

Although it's just Christmas Eve, we've already celebrated Christmas with our families, so the holiday almost feels over! Saturday all of Cindy's family came over for brunch and presents, and yesterday mine was here for dinner and gift exchange. (I'll update this after I get pictures from Cindy's family...hint, hint!)

Devan and Kenzie pose with Izzy.

Kenzie and Mason match ages of their second-cousins, shown here:

but technically fit in with their cousins, shown here:

The kittens also enjoyed their first Christmas. We have pictures of Izzy riding the shoulder of at least half the crowd. We thought we'd show Janel, even though she didn't quite finish the entire vat of frog-eye salad to win the $100 that her loving family wagered for her.

Yesterday the kids went to Grammy & Grampy's house. They'll come home tomorrow. I've got nothing to report...except that the animals are turning to each other for love. (Yes, that is Zeke cuddling with the kittens. True desparation.)

Is Madison wider than Mason? Sheesh...!

Kenzie had a snack bar today. Mason wanted some so I told her give him half. She had already eaten part of it. She cut the remainder in two and offered him the smaller one (about 1/4 of the original). He protested, saying he didn't want the little one. She tried to get him to take it, but he dug his heels in. Finally she said, "ok, Mase, you want them both to be equal?" Then she bit the big one down to the size of the smaller one and said, "see, they're both the same, which one do you want?" He picked one and walked away happy. I grit my teeth and looked the other way. One day...

I asked Mason if I could record his story tonight. We're still in the "bad whale" theme (since our trip to Mexico in March).

This was long so I cut out the intro: "Once upon a time there was a bad whale. His mommy had put all the presents under the tree." Then we pick it up with him saying, "the little one snuck one in his room." Boy, wonder what's going through his little head...

In order to torture the kids a little bit, we wrapped a bunch of presents and put them under the tree. Mason can barely stand it. He has fondled each one, carefully finding those marked with an "M." He has them all accounted for and inventoried. For some reason he hopes each one is a Spiderman toothbrush. (And, yes, Dude did get a haircut.)

Finally, we got our Christmas lights up today! We're all looking forward to our first Christmas in the new house. And maybe a little bit of snow!?!

After we went to the Chicken Little play Kenzie submitted a drawing. She got a certificate today saying that she won. They sent her a free t-shirt and a ticket to the next performance. Here is her drawing:

Okay, we figured out the letter....here's what it says:

Ama and Mommy,

When I was trying to get Izzy do you know that then that is on my bed I bumped my ear on it. Do you want to say "I'm sorry you bumped your ear on your bed?" Yes or no. _____ You have to give it back to me then.

Whew!

Here was the note Kenzie left for us tonight. I would translate, except I can't. Think of it like a crossword puzzle...answers will be coming out in a future publication (like after she wakes up). Go ahead and guess...I think I have most of it figured out.

Mike and Mary are hosting Mason and MacKenzie today and tomorrow. The kids were so excited. Here they are on the front porch waiting for their aunt and uncle to arrive. Notice the snow in the background! We had a few hours of a light dusting today. Oh, alright...before I get questions about Mason's hair, yes, I did put some product in it. It looks cute, right?!? Cindy wants to cut it, I want to grow it out a bit. And, is it my imagination or is Kenzie starting to pose in every picture, what's up with that??



Mike just sent us some pictures. This is the accompanying message:

we have a tree.
kenzie and mason.
kenzie typed this.

They each planted a tree and painted a pot. I'm not sure exactly what else they did, but, judging by the look on Mason's face, it involved sugar.

So we've had Izzy and George for 6 weeks now. These are such patient little kitties. We try to monitor the kids, but it's tough. The cats don't have a hiding place! Every day they are spun in circles, locked in the bathroom, pinned under a pillow, carried by the hind legs and neck, and otherwise loved a little too rough.

This is Izzy's special basket. Kenzie loads it with her red scarf, squishes Izzy down in it, then wraps an end of the scarf around Izzy's shoulders, minimizing the possibility of an easy exit. Izzy will stay in that position for hours. Kenzie takes the basket with her from room to room, setting the kitty next to her as she goes about her day.

Side note: the kitties are no longer invited into Kenzie's room when she heads to bed. Instead we are instructed to sneak in after she is asleep--and after they have "settled down"--and put them in her room. "They're too wild," she tells us. They need a final few laps around the track before they're ready for a good night's sleep, and she doesn't appreciate the chaos when it's her quiet time.

Kenzie's school hosted a Gingerbread social. The adults constructed the gingerbread houses while the kids socialized.

It was a rare occasion to see Kenzie be carefree. She ran with her friends, hugged and returned hugs, giggled, and just acted like a kid. This is such a huge step for her. In just a few months she has established a social circle, and this really substantiates our decision to move to Issaquah. We wanted the kids to have a consistent set of friends from kindergarten through high school. While we don't know what will come in the next few years, we do feel it's a solid community with really good people. Kenzie feels comfortable and that makes the move all worth it. Also, the other adults are really great. I'm actually surprised at how well we feel we fit in and have begun to make friends. We've had a few other parents over for dinners and/or parties...we're trying to put out those roots!

Although I'm not a big fan of the group Sugarland, somehow I don't think this prevents the kids from listening while I'm away. This is Kenzie's favorite song, "Mean Girls," but she can recite almost every word on the entire album.




Oh, and if you think it's just Kenzie, watch a quick snippit of Mr. Echo. He's singing "blame it on you." (Not much video as he's tougher to catch on film.)

We had a nice visit in Leavenworth with Cindy's family (except for the dumping of snow we got overnight making the trip home a bit too adventurous.)

...with moods ranging from oh-so-sweet to oh-just-get-me-there!