Written by pbrown on Thursday, December 25th, 2008 ( Start discussion )
A minor toy box explosion marks Christmas 2008 with Charlotte. Merry Christmas!
Written by pbrown on Sunday, December 21st, 2008 ( Start discussion )
It’s been an interesting week since we returned from California last week. I’m not sure that’s been over 32 degrees here in the Seattle area. I’m sure our Spokane freinds are laughing, since they’ve been slammed with more snow and lower temps then us every day. 
Anyway, people on this side of the state aren’t used to living with this kind of weather for such a prolonged amount of time. Last night’s snow dump was the biggest so far, adding a couple inches to what we already had along with heavy winds. The snow is so fine and powdery that it really drifts around.
Written by hbrown on Saturday, December 20th, 2008 ( Start discussion )
While Pat was at work today, Charlotte and I made a gingerbread house. While she was napping, I baked the house and got everything ready, I used this recipe and instructions. After she woke up, we began our assembly. Charlotte ‘helped’, and I mean that term in the loosest way possible! You’ll notice her face has traces of candy, she was helping eat most of the decorations.
We then watched the classic and one my favorites, the Sound of Music. She especially loved “So Long, Farewell” song when everyone says “Cuckoo”.
Now, I’m just hoping Pat gets home safe and sound, a storm is rolling in.
Happy holidays everyone!
Written by pbrown on Monday, December 15th, 2008 ( Start discussion )
On Saturday we spent the afternoon at the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland. Charlotte was predictably overwhelmed by the whole thing, but she seemed to have a good time. Heidi and I spent most of our time wondering how so many people can fit into a space that seems so small. We only visited about 20 percent of the park (Main Street, Fantasyland, and Toon Town). Charlotte went on two rides with mixed reactions, and we got front row seats on Main Street for the Christmas parade. Another long day for the girl, but we all had a great time.
The weather Saturday was starting to turn, and the wind was really blowing!
The first ride Charlotte went on was King Arthur’s Carrousel. This ride was mostly selected for it’s relatively short line, and the fact that Charlotte has previous experience on Carrousels. She was kind of freaked out about the whole thing, but liked riding on a horse.
Our second ride for the day was on “its a small world” which was totally decked out for Christmas. Charlotte’s reaction to this one was definitely not fear, but she seemed totally overwhelmed by the sights and sounds. This ride is the subject of one of the most vivid Disneyland memories of my childhood, because the ride broke and our family got stuck inside for about 45 minutes. Fortunately that didn’t happen this time!
The biggest event of the day by far for Charlotte was getting to meet Minnie Mouse. Charlotte has never shown any interest in costumed characters (see Butch the Cougar, or Zoe from Sesame Street, or even Santa). Anyway, after checking out Toon Town for a while Minnie Mouse came walking by and setup shop for people to get in line to have their picture taken with her.
We got in line thinking that if Charlotte freaked out we’d just walk away. Instead, she was mesmerized by Minnie, and we got a couple of great pictures!
We ended the day with the “Christmas Fantasy” Parade. We got to Main Street about an hour and a half before the parade and managed to snag front row seats along the parade route. At one point during the build up they even had snow machines blow snow on the street!
Charlotte LOVED the parade. All the characters came by and she got to see them all from a safe distance. Santa ended the parade and we made a quick retreat to the car. Charlotte was asleep within 5 minutes of leaving the park, and she slept well as we got ready to fly home on Sunday. (Note the new plush Minnie with Charlotte!)
Written by pbrown on Monday, December 15th, 2008 ( Start discussion )
I had planned to update the blog more during the trip, but since our hotel had limited internet access I had to wait until we got home. The wedding was a great event, held at the Tivoli Terrace in Laguna Beach. Charlotte did a great job of staying up late, outlasting the four-year-old flower girl by a few hours. If the party is any indication, Jon and Erin are off to a tremendous future together. After staying for a few dances, we had to leave the reception with a very tired girl, so she could get her rest for her big next day at Disneyland.
The happy couple during toasts after the wedding.
Charlotte and “Nana” before the ceremony.
Written by pbrown on Friday, December 12th, 2008 ( Start discussion )
We left cooling Seattle on Thursday to travel to my brother Jon’s wedding in Californa. Charlotte was loving the whole air travel thing, and still managed to get a decent nap on the plane. We had one of the most pleasant and uneventful days of travel we’ve ever had together as a family as we flew into Orange County Airport. By the time the sun was going down we were soaking up the last few moments of daylight on the boardwalk at Laguna Beach, and enjoying the unique Chrismas dolphin lights. The wedding is Friday night, then on Saturday we’re going to go spend the day at Disneyland. Not too bad, considering the forecast for Seattle is for snow. Too bad we have to go back on Sunday. More pictures soon.
Written by pbrown on Sunday, November 30th, 2008 ( One response )
Heidi, Charlotte and I spent most of the day setting up our Christmas light display. It’s not much different from last year, but we have big ideas for next year. This was the first time Charlotte has “helped” us with this project, and she is in love with all things Christmas. When it got dark tonight Charlotte and I went for a walk around the neighborhood to “ooh” and “ahh” over the other lights around the block. She gets extra excited about snowmen right now for some reason. Whenever we’re driving around town and we see Christmas lights, she demands to be taken to see more.
PHOTO GEEKERY AHEAD: I had fun making this photo… I was playing around with time exposures but the Santa kept coming out overexposed compared to the rest of the lights. For this shot I used a 20 second exposure at f/22, but I started the shot with Santa unplugged. After I hit the shutter, I counted off 10 seconds then plugged him in so he was only in the shot for half the time. I probably should have tried eight or even five seconds on Santa, but I was getting tired so I decided this was good enough.
Written by pbrown on Friday, October 31st, 2008 ( Start discussion )
Happy Halloween from our little cheerleader! (UPDATED: Better picture of the girl!)
Mom’s note: A new development with her is that she won’t wear dresses. Skirts only OK if worn over pants or stretch pants (tights are also a no-go!). This skirt was OK since I found a pair lightweight stretch pants. Funny….
Written by pbrown on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 ( Start discussion )
Charlotte’s new room is just about done! Now we just have to figure out how to get her to move into it…
Written by hbrown on Saturday, October 4th, 2008 ( Start discussion )
It was my Grandma’s 94th birthday today and we celebrated down near Olympia with her along with aunts, an uncle and a cousin. Charlotte enjoyed seeing “MY great-grandma” and especially enjoyed helping her blow candles out.
