Zoolights

Audrey and Kate went to Zoolights at the Oregon Zoo with Lily and Cora this evening. They rode MAX in from the Sunset Transit Center to avoid the crowds, then met up with their cousins and wandered through the zoo to ogle the light displays and peer into the cages and tanks to see if any animals were awake.

Christmas cookies

Audrey and Kate made some Christmas cookies this evening using some special cookie dough their great-aunt Louise provided. The results were colorful (and tasty).

"The Nutcracker," take 2

After Audrey's performance of the previous evening, it was Kate's turn to take the stage and dance to "The Nutcracker." Mama, Dada, Honey, Honey Grandpa, and GG all came to cheer her on.

"The Nutcracker," take 1

After practicing with Ms. Kat for several weeks, Audrey and her friend Hannah had their "Nutcracker" ballet performance this evening. For one selection, the girls danced with actual nutcrackers. Honey, Honey Grandpa, and GG came to watch.

Church pageant

The final act of Audrey and Kate's festive Sunday was performing in the church Christmas pageant. As with last year (and the year before that), the girls chose to dress as angels. While skipping down the aisle, Audrey lost her shoe and had to wade back though the multitude of other angels to retrieve it, but made it to the sanctuary in time for the singing. Grandpa Dave and Honey Grandpa came to watch.

Visit with Santa

After saying their goodbyes at Great-Grandpa's birthday party, Audrey and Kate headed to the downtown Macy's to visit Santa. Both of the girls were brave and sat on Santa's lap this year; it was probably the best visit with Santa for the girls ever, in terms of no one crying and/or refusing to sit on his lap.

Great-Grandpa's birthday

Audrey and Kate joined Lily and Cora for a picture with Great-Grandpa Darrel to help celebrate his birthday at a gathering at Great-Aunt Marcia's house.

Christmas outfits

Audrey and Kate model their Christmas ensembles before heading off to the birthday party for Great-Grandpa.

Decorating the Christmas tree(s)

Audrey and Kate helped decorate the Christmas tree they picked up yesterday, as well as their mini-Christmas trees Honey gave them a couple of years ago.

Picking out the Christmas tree

After saying their goodbyes to family following the ride on the Holiday Express, Audrey and Kate went to pick out a Christmas tree from a tree sale at the Archbishop Howard School, then helped start decorating it.

Holiday Express

Grandpa Dave and Judy treated the girls to a trip to see Santa on the Holiday Express today. Audrey and Kate were skittish about seeing Santa, but Audrey did manage to be brave and have him sit next to her when he came by. The girls and Lily walked around to explore the train a bit. It was a sunny but very cold day, and everyone got a little chilly as they went to watch the locomotive take off to pull the next load of passengers after their ride was over.

Beach trip

After spending the night at Lily and Cora's house after Thanksgiving, Audrey and Kate headed to the "beach house" for the rest of the long weekend. As with previous trips to the beach house, highlights for the girls included swimming in the condo swimming pool (they didn't have the pool to themselves this time like they usually do, though: lots of other kids swimming there), eating at Mo's (twice), and visiting the Newport Aquarium. They also walked around the historic section of Newport, watching people catching crabs and sea lions resting on a dock.

Thanksgiving/Cora's birthday

Audrey and Kate headed to Beaverton to celebrate Thanksgiving and Cora's first birthday at Lily and Cora's house. All of their grandparents were there as well. The girls enjoyed making Thanksgiving crafts, eating lots of rich food, and singing "Happy Birthday" to Cora and helping her open her presents.

Audrey and Kate spent the night with their cousins so they could get a head start on their trip to the "beach house." They and Lily put on a little puppet show in the morning before saying their goodbyes.