Gingerbread Houses

 As is our tradition, Clementine and I made mini gingerbread houses (courtesy of Wilton) just before Christmas. In keeping with tradition, I had the flu so I sat back taking pictures rather than getting anywhere near anything edible!

 Clementine had a great time putting together the little mini houses and sneaking swiped fingerfuls of icing, a gumdrop here and there.  And Dutch had a great time watching from his front row seat.

Workshop

 I cannot put into words how much I love this girl. She is the most hilarious person I know and she's  only 5. My pride and joy.

Cam's silk screening press has taken up much of our garage. Clementine has claimed ownership of the rest as her very own Workshop. She goes out with Cam on the weekends to work in the garage. She comes up with all kinds of ideas: dog houses, mouse traps, robots. She draws designs that she posts on our fridge with pride, then she builds with Cam's scrap wood and rifles through our recycle bins to complete her projects.
On this day, she went out to her workshop in her tights, boots, coat and goggles, ready to build. Clearly the work of a girl genius.

6 months!!

 My baby boy is SIX months old!! 6!! Months!!! That's half a year in a blink of an eye!

At 6 months (!!!!) Dutch is a very active young man. Ridiculously so. At his latest pediatrician's appointment, he'd actually grown over an inch and LOST a few ounces of weight. I am not surprised in the least as this boy never, ever sit still. He can roll, scoot and sit on his own. He isn't quite crawling forward yet, although he does go in reverse. He has his own style of getting around the house by a combination of army crawling and rolling.

 He is also teething in a major way. Those two bottom teeth really want to peek through those gums! Every picture I got of him has lip chewing. Those poor little lips!

 His little personality is starting to come through and it's a combination of drama and sweetness. He is a cuddler, and BOY howdy, does he love his mama. Sister is a close second. Cam, he's just starting to warm up to. He'll go to Cam as long as I remain in his line of vision.

He is starting to babble in a very sweet little boy voice. He says "Mama" although he doesn't discriminate between me and anyone else with food. He has a contagious little laugh that comes easily and we absolutely adore him.

Its Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

 Last night was Clementine's school's Winter Performance. The kids all dressed up and sang super cute winter songs.

 Clem was very excited that this year she got to stand on the highest of the risers. But right before they went on, she said she was nervous about falling off. She was leading the group of singers in on the highest riser at a snail's pace so as not to fall! She's so funny.

 Today we went to Bellewood Acres to visit HoneyCrisp Kringle!

 Clem was under strict orders to request a hot tub for mommy, but I think she asked for Barbie stuff instead.

These two have been *mostly* good this year! ;)

Alaska: the last frontier

 Phew! What a journey our little clan had!
We decided to extend the long weekend and skipped town last week! This was the first time our family of 4 has traveled out of state--and by plane, even!

Clementine was very excited to fly the friendly skies. In fact, she was practically vibrating when we finally boarded. Dutch hardly noticed as he ate, slept and poo-ed on Cameron; business as usual!

 We saw all the sites of Sitka. Clementine was our photographer in the backseat, documenting the journey with her own special style.

 She got the school where Cam went to Elementary,

 and this white car,

 the corner of this building...

 and, of course, some self portraits!

 Cam drove us up Harbor Mountain where we got out to stretch our legs, check out icicles and gorgeous views of the south eastern Alaskan islands.

 We also checked out Whale Park where we played quickly so as not to freeze.

 There was also Totem Park where we walked through quickly so as not to be eaten by bears.

Cam is pointing out the Bear Bread fungus on the tree where bear like to chew and clean their teeth.

But the real reason we made this trek was to celebrate Queen Pat's 90th birthday! What a special day for a very special lady! The queen and the Princess smiled ear to ear the entire day. We love you Grandma Pat and are so glad we got to come up to celebrate the big day with you!

Halloween

 We are having a particularly blustery Autumn in our neck of the woods. Halloween was no exception. Clementine went as Olivia the Pig (from a favorite book series) and Dutch went as a sleeping bald headed baby.

 It wasn't looking too good as far as Trick or Treating goes the morning of this sugar filled holiday. It was rainy and dark with wind that took your breath away.

But around 2 pm there was a sudden break in the drizzle. We threw the Olivia costume on Clementine and high-tailed it downtown; thinking this was the only chance she'd get to trick or treat in 2012.

 We did about 2 blocks of downtown candy grabbin' before the weather turned awful again. We were one of the last ones out on the street and candy givers just started to dump their buckets into Clementine's sack!

 Fortunately, another break in the weather happened right after Daddy got home. Clem was able to hit up the neighbors for some candy, too. All in all, I think it was a pretty good Halloween!

Clementine's 5th Birthday Party

 I cannot believe my baby girl is already five. 5!???? How did this happen? There is something about her turning five that makes me feel nostalgic. And then I cry. My girl has left behind toddler-hood and is truly a preschooler--almost ready for Kindergarten!

 Cam sat me down months ago, knowing I have a tendency to get a bit nutty about birthday parties way too early, and he told me it's time to take it easy on this one. We decided to have her birthday party at the local bounce house and I think that has been our best decision we've made in a long time! It was awesome!

Clem choose the theme-Muppets-as she loves the new Muppet movie AND the soundtrack.

 We had Kermit cupcakes (see 1st pic) and Miss Piggy's Pink Lemonade,

 Bork Bork Bork Bork (artichoke dip)--which made me laugh,

 Rainbow Connection Fruit Skewers (thanks Mom!),

 and Animal crackers.

 There was lots of sliding,

 jumping,

 and general shenanigans.

 Then, when everyone looked like this, it was time to eat and open presents!

 SHE'S FIVE!??!! I can't take it.

 Nolan and Taylor were there to help open gifts.

 While the baby cousins snoozed away.

A wonderful time was had by all!