We waited until the last minute to make New Year’s plans but ended up with a full day. We went to Bellevue with the Hoitings and the Archibecks and most of our kids. Silas and Kieron wanted to be dropped off at the mall while we visited.
Later that night the Toomeys came over to ring in the New Year
Avery had about 20 friends over for a party in the basement. We were glad to have him at home and not on the road. Here are a few of them. He’s got such nice friends!
December is always a busy month, and this year was no exception. Here’s what we were up to (outside of Christmas and Hawaii).
Santa visit at Cougar Mountain Zoo
We went to the downtown Tree Lighting
Phoebe isn’t a fan of all the construction noise in our house these days
We volunteered to take a family out on Lake Union to see the lighted boats and Santa. It was a very rewarding experience. The family had five children, all about our kids ages & genders + an adorable five-year-old boy.
Avery’s school picture frame is complete! 
Layla had an advent calendar full of spa/pampering things
Silas had a band concert 
Kieron is enjoying high school swim team
Sleepovers with Shelby & Savannah
Layla had a “celebrations around the world” day at school
A few more pics from our Santa visit at the zoo. These kids really fill up the sleigh now!
The kids and I played a lot of Life in December
December Bunco
Kieron had his wisdom teeth removed on the 27th
A pic Scott shared from NYE
We had a pretty relaxing Christmas morning, all things considered. The kids are definitely at easier ages now. I was proud of them all for being so sweet and thoughtful opening gifts.
Erika stopped by for a visit and to exchange gifts. She gave Avery this sweatshirt.
Record players for Silas & Kieron 
Avery was excited to try his new cold plunge tub
Christmas dinner 
Playing with the new Forza setup (steering wheel, shifter & pedals)
We got out for a walk!
Talking to Auntie Ish, in New Zealand
We had all the grandparents over for Christmas this year and had a great time together. although we missed my brother and his family. (I thought I’d never hear the end of it from the kids!) Between all the cookie baking and frosting and appetizer prep there was a lot of work on our remodel, specifically getting the Duraboard on the fireplace. We had hopes of hanging the stockings in the regular spot Christmas Eve and I still held out hope I’d be able to set up the family room Christmas tree. In the end we celebrated Christmas in the basement, which ended up being just fine and saved quite a bit of extra last minute hassle.
Christmas Eve morning
Silas and Layla went ice skating with their friends, Ethan & Ella
Look who’s here!
Phoebe is not a fan
Playing the Dice Game!
Pics from the day before
We gave Papa one of his gifts early – Apple AirPod Pro 2’s, which also function as hearing aids. They’re awesome!
It had been a couple years since we were in Maui, so we were glad to go back this year. It’s much easier traveling there now that the kids are older and we spend a lot more time at the beach or in the ocean than we did when they were little.
We overlapped the first half of our trip with Nana so we could spend time together in Maui.
There was snorkeling everyday! Highlights included lots of turtles, a couple eels, a spotted eagle ray and hearing whales. One evening Silas and Jonathan were surprised to encounter a blacktip reef shark, which they promptly swam away from!
The boys enjoyed cliff jumping at Black Rock
Kieron and Layla went parasailing
Silas and Avery took a surf lesson
Jonathan and I did a sunset dinner cruise
Dinner
We took family pictures on the beach one of our last days there. We got this shoot done in under ten minutes! The kids are so much more cooperative than they used to be!
We walked down to the Hyatt to see the birds
Hula Pie!
I remember when Avery was just a little guy playing in this thing. Now Layla barely fits!
There was a hula show by the pool one evening
This little girl was adorable and could really dance!
