Santa Train

This year we started our Christmas festivities by taking the Santa Train with a group of our friends. It is a short train ride (from North Bend to Snoqualmie) to visit with Santa Claus. This was Abi's first encounter with Santa (this year) and it went really well, despite my fear that she would be scared. She sat on his lap and even talked to him about her wish for "Do-Do-Dora toys". Here are some pictures from our adventure:

Keeping busy while waiting for the arrival of the Santa Train

Best Buddies

Trying on Stacey's hat

Colby, Abi & Kelsey

Colby, Claire, Abi & Kelsey

Taking care of some serious business...

The Whole Crew

The Perfect Exchange

Yesterday Abi woke up with a fever and did not feel good throughout the day, complaining of an upset stomach. I was worried that she might have the flu again but today it appears that it may be a cold. Last night she woke up several times including one time at 2 a.m. which resulted in a half hour of cuddling in her rocking chair (something she doesn't do unless she is sick). I put her back down to sleep and she was quiet for about 10-15 minutes until I heard her moving around again. My first thought was "oh, man - not again...".

Then I heard Abi's little voice from her room: "Good night, Mommy".

"Good night, sweetheart", I called out.

Then I heard, "I love you".

"I love you, too", I responded.

After our brief conversation, she slept soundly through the rest of the night. Abi doesn't regularly say "I love you" without prompting, so I couldn't imagine a more perfect exchange. It is amazing how something as simple as a few words can change a person's entire demeanor. It put a smile on my face and made me completely forget how tired and crabby I was. I guess it is those little things in life that make all the hard work worth it.

Trip to Arizona

Several weeks ago, Abi and I took a trip to Arizona to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We had a great trip and the weather was perfect - about 80-85 degrees. I figured I needed one last hurrah before our little one is born and life gets a bit crazy with our new addition around the Doehne house. Our trip ended up being a very relaxing and fun!

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for a great time....

Watching 'Dancing with the Stars' with Grandpa

Playing with Grandma and Grandpa's neighbor, Gabi
(although Abi nicknamed her "Gabi Gabi")

Making cookies with Grandma

-Pheonix Children's Museum-
Going grocery shopping...

Checking out and paying for our groceries

Making some pizza

...and spaghetti

Now it is time for dessert...

Yummy!

Planting some flowers in the garden

Just a cute picture

Onto the cars and trucks section...

..."Grandpa, where are we going now?"

Having fun painting!

Playing dress up at Cabella's

-Fun In The Fountains-

-Fun in the Pool-

Abi LOVED the noodle!

Just loungin' around!

As opposed to our last visit to Arizona, Abi actually liked the golf cart this time

and we took several rides around the block with Grandpa.

-Trip to the Pheonix Zoo-

Happy Halloween!

We had a busy week full of Halloween fun. First, we celebrated Halloween Week at Abi's music class. Then, we carved pumpkins at home. Next, we headed to Josh's work for round one of trick-or-treating. Then, Abi got bit by the flu bug - luckily it only lasted 24 hours so we could celebrate Halloween! Finally, we ventured out to Redmond Town Center with some friends for round two of trick-or-treating. Overall, we had a good time - Abi was a great witch and surprisingly, she wasn't scared by any of the other kid's halloween costumes. I think the fact that she was getting candy was a good distraction!

-Celebrating Halloween at Boogie Woogie Music Class-

Best impression of a witch

-Carving Pumpkins with Daddy-

Abi got a bit tired of watching Mom and Dad carve pumpkins so it was time for

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

Abi's Pumpkin (thanks to Daddy!)

This is my contribution.

Josh also carved a cool pirate ship but we didn't get a good picture of it.

-Trick-or-Treating: Round One-

-The Dreaded Flu Bug...Poor Abi-

At least she didn't pass it along to Mom or Dad!

-Trick-or-Treating: Round Two-

This is such a classic picture - not one of the kids is looking at the camera!