Columbia Tower

In all my years in Western Washington I never once went to the Columbia Tower- the tallest building in downtown Seattle.  Jana now works there (her office moved locations) and was able to take us up to the observation deck.  The view was breathtaking.  Little compares to Seattle on a clear day!

Swanson's Nursery

The day after Christmas Kurt went golfing with Seth and Ammon so Hattie and I hung out with Jana and Luke.  We went to Swanson's Nursery and had a blast!  There were reindeer and camels (the camel was actually a horse if you ask Hattie).

I love Hattie's facial expressions in these next two photos:

We were able to feed the camel carrots on our way out!  Hattie was a little unsure, but with Mom's help did it.  She wanted to feed the camel another carrot, but they were all out!

There was also a koi pond and a model train going around in circles.  Every time the train disappeared Hattie yelled "oh no!" until she was reassured the train would come back.

We finally convinced Hattie the the 'horse' was actually called a camel by the end of our trip.  And she still remembers- she correctly said and pointed out a camel in one of her animal books to me the other day.  

Christmas Morning

We spent Christmas morning at Mom and Clarence's.  The Roths were there too which was fun- lots of people = lots of presents!  Which is lots of fun, especially with little ones.

Hattie received a bunch of Jake and the Neverland Pirates gear- she knows what a bandana, spyglass, and gold dubloons are.

Later that day we headed down to Seattle to spend the rest of Christmas day with the Biehl clan!

Christmas at home

We left for Washington on December 24th, so we celebrated Christmas at home before leaving.  

Hattie loved the tree- especially the ornaments.  

I made Kurt a Mariner's blanket!  It's just a no sew, fleece one, but I think it turned out well!

I tried a new technique I found on Pinterest for the edges.  I think it looks cool!

Unwrapping presents with Dad!  She got a lot of practice this year and came to love unwrapping.

Here I am in my Christmas PJ's!  29 weeks along.

Christmas Prep

Hattie and I made some salt dough ornaments and then she painted them!  It was her first time painting.  She enjoyed it until announcing she was "all done" and wouldn't do any more.  

I just love Hattie on right side of this picture.  I hung some shelves in her room.

An early Christmas present from the Roths! A doll stroller- Hattie LOVES it.  Nearly every day (still) she asks me to strap Strawberry (that's the doll) in and then runs around the house.

Hattie

Taking a walk

Napping on Dad's side of the bed

Playing in the stand-up toy...she knows how to stand up on her own these days!

Getting toothpaste in her hair

Putting headbands on all by herself!

Helping Dad fix the dishwasher!

Playing with the microwave!  She sat on the counter top for an hour.  That's how fun it is.

And then figured out how to climb up there by herself the next day.  So smart!

Thanksgiving 2014

We went up to Iona for Thanksgiving.  I volunteered to make pie, but since we weren't coming up until the day of there wasn't much else I could do!  I only made one pie, but it was definitely the best looking crust I've ever made (in my 2-3 attempts):

Hattie and Great-Grandpa became fast friends.  She would just go sit on his lap.  It was adorable.  I learned how much Grandpa loved the attention when I saw him climb down on the floor to color with Hattie!

Hattie eating Grandpa's donuts:

Not a great picture of Grandma (who had a broken shoulder and her right arm is in a sling), but it's the last one I took of her.  Her passing is still very fresh and I'm rather sentimental!

Hattie zonked out on the couch- she never wants to take a nap when there are people to play with!

I decorated Grandma's tree for the second year in a row.  She told me I did an amazing job and should write instructions on how to decorate Christmas trees.  She's the sweetest :)  She always tells me the stories of the ornaments as I hang them- some were her mother-in-laws (so potentially nearing 100 years old), but most were gifts.  Gifts from relatives, neighbors, and patients.  My grandma, the nurse, helped many people throughout her decades of service!

Playing

Reading with Grandpa in his chair!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Grandma definitely wasn't feeling her best (what with a broken shoulder!) but she still got down on the floor to play with Hattie and even danced to Perry Como.  She was always so impressed with Hattie and said she (Hattie) had some wonderful parents.  This past trip she told me, in reference to Kurt, she'd never seen a dad light up so much every single time his child entered the room (it's true, he does).  I'm so thankful we were able to spend that time with her!  I love Grandma so much.