Christmas Day Recap

We had a very merry Christmas at the Bear household. On Christmas Eve we went to church. That was quite an experience with Sister Bear. Try keeping her quiet. She was very cute trying to sing along with the hymns and clapping when they were over. At one point during the service there was a children's moment. Brother Bear took her up front and sat with her and she went very willingly. Papa and I were sitting, in the back of the church, wondering what she would do. Randomly she got up and walked straight back to where we were sitting. I figured she was done, so I tried to get her to sit back down with me. Oh no...she just wanted to get her purple crayon and then she headed right back up and sat back down with the rest of the kids.

I told Brother that he had to stay in bed until 8am. At about 7:45 I heard him get up and go into the bathroom and then get back in bed. 7:59 rolled around and he was right there by my bedside. Sister Bear was still asleep. I went down and turned the tree lights on and the heater while Papa Bear got up. Someone (Brother) woke up Sister. She is definitely NOT pleasant if you wake her up. If she wakes up on her on she is happy and talking non stop.

We went down and opened presents. The kids had a great time. Papa and I didn't do presents for each other, except for the U2 concert tickets I bought for us. So we have that to look forward to in June. After opening presents it was cleanup and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Lets not forget the Home Alone marathon that was on either. Papa and Brother were off to the airport to pick up Granny and Grandpa who were coming for a visit. I stayed home to clean up the house, make some fudge, and Sister took a much needed nap.

Later Papa hooked up the Wii for Brother who had been waiting patiently to try it out. An evening of bowling and boxing. I got knocked out. After dinner we went for a walk in the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. When the young Bears were in pj's we watched Home Alone again. Finally it was time for all of us tuckered Bears to climb into bed.

Santa Part Two

Update: Here are some pictures from our day with Santa. Good thing mom had some snacks in her purse. Notice the smile with the snowman. Why couldn't we have had that smile with Santa?

I forgot to post that Sister agreed to go and have her picture taken with Santa. So both of the kids got spiffied up and off the mall the four of us went. Oh, did I mention we went to the mall on December 23rd? We walked in the mall doors and got in line at 11:00 am. Two hours later it was our turn!!!! Sister knew what she was there to do. Her and Brother were going to have their picture taken with Santa. So we head up to Santa and Brother gets on one knee and someone just stands there and stares at him. She did not want to sit on his lap. At least she was not one of the screaming hysterical kids, she just had a look of pure panic and kept trying to get away. But she took one for the team and sat still long enough to get a picture. One child has a nice smile, the other a sourpuss look of fear. But we had a nice time standing in line together for a family.

Santa

Update: I found these old pictures of Brother Bear with Santa

I wanted to take Sister Bear to have her picture taken with Santa. I have a picture of Brother Bear at this age with Santa. We were at the mall a few days before Thanksgiving and Santa was already there. Personally, I don't think Santa should be at the mall until after Thanksgiving. Well, he wasn't busy so my friend took her 2yr old daughter up and Santa read her a story. He is a very nice/clean looking Santa and he has been at our mall for a few years. I tried to take Sister Bear up too, but she wanted no part of Santa. She wouldn't look at him and wanted me to pick her up. When he was done reading the story to my friends daughter, he gave her a candy cane. He asked me if he could give one to Sister. As quick as she could, she took the candy cane and said thank you and turned away. I asked Sister if she would have her picture taken if Brother was in the picture and she said "no but Brother could have his taken with Santa." Maybe next year.

November Is Over

Since it is basically the middle of December, I figured I'd better do a little recap of November. For the most part I think November was pretty uneventful here in the Bear household. Brother Bear was busy with school and soccer. Sister Bear was just busy with everything it is she does and talking non stop. Papa Bear was busy with football and basketball. And, I was just trying to keep track of everyone. We had an early turkey day because Papa had to go to Wisconsin with the basketball team. So, I think that basically sums up November.

Brother Bear Soccer Season.
13 games, 27 goals

Trick-or-Treat

We had a dry Halloween!!!! It wasn't too cold either. The first year we lived here it was pouring on Halloween. I remember I took Brother Bear to a few houses on our street and we came home. One of our neighbors gave him their whole bowl of candy because barely anyone was out that year. The other years it has been cold!!!!!!!!!

Last night we went over to some friends house and had homemade soup and then the kids went trick-or-treating. This was the first year that Sister Bear went up to the door. She was so cute and so polite with her thank you's after she got candy

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Sounders Game

We recently went to the Seattle Sounders soccer game. Papa Bear knows someone who has a suite at the stadium and they invited us to the game with us. It was great! So close to the field. Brother Bear had a super time. He is really into soccer right now. Sister Bear and a fun time too! We even saw Drew Carey.

Pumpkin Patch

It was a nice Sunday so we decided to head out the the pumpkin patch. I think everyone else had the same idea because it was pretty crowded. We enjoyed a hayride, checked out the animals, had some kettle corn and fresh strawberry lemonade. Oh, and of course we picked out some pumpkins.

Summer Recap Part Five

So I am lazy with the updating. I'll finish the summer off with a slideshow of our camping trip with Granny, Grandpa and Aunt Carly.

Summer Recap Part Four - Grayland State Park

e end of July we headed out to the WA coast for a camping trip with some friends. We've lived here for four years and I had never been to the beach. Our neighbors told us about this campground. It books really quickly. We were lucky and managed to get a site because someone had cancelled. The weather was perfect. It was super hot at home-104 degrees the day we got home. So the weather at the beach was perfect. Our friends have kids the same age as us, so both brother and sister had someone to hang out with.

Summer Recap Part Three

Ok, so I didn't quite get recapped as quickly as I wanted to. I need to get it in gear because soon it will be Halloween, we've got soccer going on and so much more to write about.

In July my parents came to visit for a few days. Can't wait til they retire and move here from California. Plus, then we can have free babysitting! Woo hoo! While they were here we hit up the zoo, the Ballard Locks, and Papa Bear and I got to go to the movies. We saw The Hangover.

Summer Recap Part Two

Brother Bear spent the summer playing baseball. This was the first time that kids pitched. Usually it was machine pitch. He was pretty excited to get a chance to pitch. His team was made up of a majority of the kids from his Blue Jays team. We had six months of baseball between the regular season and summer ball. Sister Bear had a good time running around with two of her friends. They ate, colored, ran around and had a good time watching their brothers.

We had great weather for summer ball. It was nice to be out in shorts and not bundled up like we are for some of the regular season games.

Summer Recap Part One

Well, it seems like just the other day I was going to post about the last day of school. Obviously I never got around to it since I can now do a post about the first day of school which has come and gone.

The Bear Family enjoyed a nice summer at home. We didn't go out of town this year, just a few local campingtrips. The first camping trip was a last minute trip to Lake Easton. We had never been to this campground before. It was a nice campground, just a little close to the freeway.

Sister Bear did a great job camping. Way better than last year when she split her face from running into the truck and spent most of the weekend crabby. Brother Bear and Papa had some serious horse shoe games

going on. We enjoyed hot dogs and smores, yummy!