Sledding!

December 22, 2008 was a big day! For starters, Dad had to put chains on the car in order to run some errands. And wouldn't you know it, he found some sleds (still available!) at the local sporting goods store. That meant that sledding was imminent. Sam was skeptical at first, but just check out the videos and figure out for yourself if Sam had a good time.

Video 1 - Sam and Dad on the sled (look out Papa!)
Video 2 - Sam on his own disc

More Snow, and the Santa Train!

Silly Sam is having a busy weekend. Aside from playing in the snow each morning, there has been a lot to do! Saturday afternoon included a big trip to North Bend to ride the Santa Train and meet Santa(to tell him what he wants for Christmas). Sam was ready for Santa and though he didn't smile much, he didn't freak out at all and listened intently while Santa talked to him. For the record, Sam requested a choo-choo from Santa. Of course he had talked to Mom and Dad about also wanting a soccerball and basketball too, but apparently the choo-choo is a big-time gift that is harder for M&D to find.

Appropriately, the gift that Sam got for seeing Santa was a little choo-choo that Papa helped him assemble and color.

Here's a video from Sunday morning of Sam in the snow!

Mom asked Sam to keep his eyes open to see the snow.

It's no coincidence that Sam and "ham" rhyme.

Again, keeping his eyes "open."

Sam got hold of the camera and this is his first self-portait.

The Santa Train just arrived! WOO!

He was super-excited to ride the train. WOO WOO!

Waiting outside in the cold to see Santa, brrr. Of course, he didn't complain a bit about the weather.

Santa asked Sam what he wanted for Christmas.

What a good Santa.

Sam liked the old-timey policeman.

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Snow in Seattle

Six to Eight inches of snow have fallen since about 5:30 this morning. We headed out around 10:30 to experience the flurries first hand.

Sam and Mom.

Early on, Sam was happy to be outside.

Time to get frosty!

He blazes new trails.

The car is nearly hidden.

An Early Christmas (now with tree)

Lucky Sammy gets to celebrate a couple Christmases this year, the first was of course when Dad's parents were in town. Sam got a gift or two for Nana and Papa, and they got a few things for the little man as well.

This is the second year in a row that Dad's parents have been in town for the Christmas Tree excursion. We headed down to Auburn and didn't spend much time at all before we found the right tree. Sam wanted to pull the wagon when he wasn't riding in it.

In all, one week was not enough time to spend with Sam for Nana and Papa but that's just all the more reason for them to come back out again (and again!).

Sam's content to be sitting with Nana and Papa.

Both mouse (a gift from Aunt T) and meow (Mowter) were very interested in the gift Sam got from Grandma Sophie.

A Christmas House with animals! Awesome! Thanks Grandma.

He's excited about a new set of diggers (these will work great with his new train set - that he doesn't know about yet).

Choo Choo pajamas!

Mom gets a good knee-tickle in there during a car ride.

Yes, part of our tree-finding excursion included a brief game of capture-the-flag.

Cute cute cute!

With Momma and Nana.

He's working on his balance.

The tree went "Boom" and of course, Sam wanted it to happen repeatedly.

Yup, they all look good.

The first ornament on the tree? Mom helps Sam place Elmo.

The night before Nana and Papa had to go, Papa built two neato towers...

...which were promptly knocked over.

Nana and Papa! YAY! (and Thanksgiving too)

With Nana Sue and Papa Craig heading into town for Thanksgiving, Sam's excitement grew daily as their arrival neared. But before they showed up, Sam had his final Music Together class of the fall session. Sam's friend Isabella came as well to experience the class, along with her parents.

Finally, just two days later, Nana and Papa arrived. So much fun to have, in so little time. They made sure to build plenty of towers for Sam to knock over, and brought a train video that Sam has really enjoyed. Sam loves it when N&P are in town, and Mom and Dad do too because it means a share of keeping track of the little one.

Of course, we all had a great Thanksgiving. In addition to Dad's parents, Mike, Dawn, Isabella, and Dawn's mom all came over. Sam loved to spend more time with Bella, and it was a great dinner. Dad made sure that there were some left overs for turkey sandwiches the next few days.

Sam has already said that he misses Miss Summer. Can't wait til January!

Sam waited patiently until it was time to strum the guitar.

Isabella enjoyed her time at Music Together.

Sam and Mom boogie.

Look Mom, cows! MOOO!

Nap time? Sam doesn't think so.

Who is going to read to Sammy?

The kids with their dads.

There must've been a digger on the floor.

Mike taught Sam how to pound.

Sam finds a way to liven up a family portrait.

Everyone is ready for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner!

Papa Craig bounces Sam.

He knocks over yet another tower.

Whoo! Upside-down boy!