'Tis the Season

December sure knows how to throw a party! Our weekend was non-stop fun, first at a birthday party for our friend Tyler, who turned one. Already a great host—just look at all the toys he had for everyone to play with:

Franklin and Cody, maybe getting an early start on parallel play?

Not the best photo, but here's the birthday boy, being held by his grandma while his mom shows him his bday cake:


Later that day we drove up north to check out the Mill Creek Town Center Santa's Coming to Town festivities.

The highlight of the event was our friend Wendy, performing with Jazz Underground. Here's a little taste of the holiday cheer:


Sunday kept up the fun. First, after months (years?) of talking about it, we bought a chair for the living room. And thanks to the Capitol Hill Parenting group on Yahoo!, all it took was a ten minute walk and $20!

Notice what a nice job it does of blocking Franklin from his favorite "let's not play with that" lamp :)

Next, we walked over to St. Joseph Church for the Seattle U Choirs Festival of Christmas. Really nothing like choral music in a church. Franklin seemed to enjoy it too... or at least the 30 minutes he was awake for :)

Here's a sample: Lux Aurumque, the song Emily liked the best this year (and the song that soothed Franklin to sleep for the afternoon):


And, finally, on the way home we picked up our tree at the SASG Dunshee House Tree Lot. Great trees, a good cause, nice people; no wonder they're averaging a perfect five out of five on Yelp!

Pictures soon, I promise—just as soon as we finish decorating!

So, that's our weekend. Can't wait for the next one!

Oh, and if that wasn't enough excitement, here's how Franklin started Monday morning:

Some of you have likely seen that already, but come on, how can I resist reposting it?

Okay, I'd better get back to work on the tree!