December in Seattle

At the end of November Oren had his 3rd dental check up.  This time they took him back without us . . . and he did great!  When we were finally called back Oren was just chilling with sunglasses on watching some dinosaur show on the ceiling TV (with Rugby of course).  How awesome is that??

Naoki's 2 month check up with Dr Ginsberg.  Oren helped.

The end of November also brought a visit from Grandpa and Meme!  They were great in helping with the boys and we were able to do a lot of holiday activities with them.  We went to Zoolights for the first time - the Seattle zoo has a holiday event where they have colored lights shaped like zoo animals and we were able to see a reindeer and Oren went on a merry-go-round.  Grandpa took Oren to an indoor play area and also taught Oren how to make the David family apple pie.  Daddy got the makings for a graham cracker "gingerbread" house and he and Oren made a snow covered gummie bear filled winter wonderland.  Naoki got a lot of cuddle time with Grandpa and Meme.

Oren and Ryan photobomb a nice sunset photo

on the carousel at zoolights!

another carousel ride in downtown Seattle

Making Apple Pie

"What?" "What?" "What?"

Super hero Magnet mask

After Grandpa and Meme left it was full on Christmas/Hannukah time!  Oren helped us pick out and decorate our tree.  He wasn't sure why there were presents left on the bottom but liked seeing the pile grow.  He really liked having colored lights up and called it "cozy!" Ryan and I made our usual Christmas dinner of lobster potpie and ceviche and Naoki got to watch us feast.  Our annual photo with Santa was quite a success this year.  Oren smiled for the first time and when asked what he wanted for Christmas he told Santa that he wanted pink and blue candy!  Unfortunately for Oren it snowed on Christmas Eve and Mama made him "enjoy" the snow outside.  The snow melted very quickly and we were able to have our first family hike with Naoki on New Year's Eve at Discovery Park.

Oren helped Daddy make sugar cookies!

Hanging out

Everybody cozy. Except Daddy.

Christmas Dinner tradition!

The boys with U Village Santa

Oren had the best view.  Naoki, having to be in the Ergo, did not.

Naoki enjoying the guest bed

Oren spent December practicing his interpretive dances. It took us a couple of weeks to realize some of the dance was learned at school for his New Year's routine. It wasn't until we saw the routine that we realized most of the routine was just Oren being Oren.