Traveling Stinks

We really got hit hard during our Christmas break. The travel days were rough. We finally arrived in Detroit 12 hours late and without our luggage...for 3 days. Here are pictures of the kids sleeping in the Chicago airport:



We have a ton of family in Michigan and try to split our time between them. It's not an easy job but the kids love each and every stop along the way:

The Klier Christmas:
On the Polar Express:In the snow:
The Reynolds Christmas:Playing in the snow:Visiting the Chicago family:We also had the Mitchell Christmas.
The kids got to play in the snow at their house too...the weather had started warming up a bit which meant that the snow was perfect for snowmen! Avery is on a Shrek kick so August, Anna and Paul all made a Shrek snowman!!

We also etched out a night to get together with some old friends:
Then we loaded our loot up and began our long journey home:
Our flight to Chicago went without a hitch...but our flight to Detroit was delayed not once...but twice. Thankfully our ride home from the airport was very flexible and we got home safe and sound.
The kids went back to school today...and there was snow on the ground!! August just got home and said that he had a really good day.

Please Don't be Late

Wow! We've had a great weekend packed with Winters goodness and Christmas cheer.
First, let's get the exciting news out of the way:
It snowed in Seattle. Yes, snowed. And right now, it's 23 degrees outside. The only good I can get out of this situation is that we're all going to be ready for our Michigan visit because our bodies will be acclimated to the cold temps. Of course, in Seattle, when the rain turns to ice crystals, talk turns to snow days...people freak out and assume that no one should drive in the snow so all day yesterday people were betting on no school today. I joined them in their winter wishes and hoped beyond hope for someone to wake up and declare the roads simply undriveable.
Much to my amazement, my phone rang and 5:30 this morning with an automated message stating that Seattle Schools will be beginning 2 hours late. I'll take it! Unfortunately, I am one of those people who can not go back to sleep once I wake up...so, I've gotten a few things done around the house while the rest of my family sleeps off the events of last night.
Which brings me to the next bit of exciting news:
Our dear friend Rosie Thomas released a wonderful new Christmas album this year. The Many household has been listening to it consistently this season and Hazel can be heard at any given time singing Silent Night (which she sang with the choir on the record). Last night Rosie drove from Portland to Washington to end her brief Christmas tour among her friends at Townhall.
Hazel and Trey got on stage to sing with Santa's Helpers Choir and on the very last song Rosie asked Hazel to join her as she closed the show with Silent Night. Hazel was a bit shy during sound check but I think the crowd really boosted her confidence and when Rosie turned to her and asked her to climb the chair so they could sing together, my girl Hazel walked confidently and sang her little heart out. She even ended it with a HUGE "Merry Christmas!!"
I sat in the front row with August and beamed up at my long legged little singer. August yelled, "You go Hazel!!" and stood to applaud his baby sister. It was a good night and a great start to our holiday season.

It's Christmas Time in the City

Thanksgiving is over...now it's time for Christmas!! Trey spent, I don't know how long trying to get Tank to keep these antlers on his head long enough to snap a shot while the kids and I trimmed the tree.
Each year Grandma Klier gives the kids some ornaments and each year the kids are excited to open the boxes and hang their own personal decorations.
We also have a nice amount of old ornaments from Trey's childhood. Hazel was thrilled to find this red reindeer that had her daddy's name on it along with the year- 1980...and she read it!
We listened to the new Rosie Christmas record while we Christmafied the house. Hazel sang along with the songs she knew while August kept pushing the button on the At-At ornament.

Lately

I thought of Scott when I drove past this the other day:While it's not as cool as a rabbit making a shadow of a rabbit...I thought the fish looked pretty neat.
I found it while we were on our way to Greenlake park. Kathleen was taking Jonah around the lake and we happened to be going there as well so we all met up for a stroll...
with a quick break for lunch of course.
Today Hazel went to record a song for the upcoming Rosie Thomas Christmas album. We've been listening to holiday music non-stop during the day for over a week. It's been kind of fun belting out winter songs in the dead of summer!

I'll keep you posted as to when the record is released...Hazel is sure she's going to be on the radio...we'll see.

Earlier today we took a drive out to bellevue to pick some blue berries. I didn't bring my camera because I just knew that Ann would have hers ready to go...and thankfully I was right. Keep checking her blog for shots from the day...(how's that for pressure AK?!)