Before departing on our trip, Alton used his new paint set (a Christmas gift from Auntie Karen and Uncle Zach) to create a picture for Baby *D (which had not dried by the time we left, boo!).
Ah, well. We got the Mini all packed with luggage and snack and piled in for the drive. At the last minute, we had checked the weekend weather forecast and learned that Seattle and the surrounding area would be sunny, clear, and cold: perfect sledding weather! Since San Diego County resident Holly didn't have many snowplay-worthy clothes with her, we took to the phones and between the rest of us, we made sure she would be outfitted for our romp. She buckled in the backseat next to Alton and good-naturedly read to him for much of the drive!
We got up to Seattle and Alton explored the place with his new toys (including a Cars™ Tow Mater--Christmas gift from Holly!)...
...before getting in his jammies and celebrating New Year's Eve his way, with a snack and the Cars movie, of course!
We college girlfriends were so excited to be together for the weekend, and posed with our new girlfriend Baby *D (who has gotten so big since the last time I saw her at 10 days old!).
We snapped a few pictures of her while she was awake,
and proud daddy Brian was happy to show her off to us.
After a NYE celebrated on Mountain time, we were up and breakfasted early on Saturday morning to spend New Year's Day sledding in the mountains east of Seattle. I entertained Baby *D with some verses of "Twinkle, twinkle, little star."
I got her all good and snoozy for her daddy.
We got in the cars to head to the snow park, with Claire riding as Alton's co-captain this time. Upon our arrival, we took out all of Alton's snow gear and got him suited up for fun and cold. Luckily, my Hillsboro cousins Matt and Di had thoughtfully set aside a full-body snowsuit hand me down from their son *O and given it to us back in December. Mmm, warm!
Add some shades and this snowdude is ready to go.
The girls get the first photo op of the year on New Year's Day, which is also Holly's birthday!
Then the guys get their turn, with one exception: Brian is a little front-heavy because Baby *D is hiding inside his jacket!
Alton hopped on his sled to head for the "slopes."
He and I whooshed down the hill together!
Then we let others have a turn. First Holly and Claire...
...then Scott headfirst!
I love this picture of the two of us.
Daddy and Alton ready to sled.
After some sledding time, we took a walk through the snowpaths and Alton decided that he wanted to pull the sled.
But apparently it was a little too light for him, because he started filling it with every large chunk of snow he could find.
What-choo lookin' at?!
The little creek next to the snow park.
Alton kept having fun rolling around in the snow on his tummy.
Happy family of snugglers.
After sledding fun, we went to one of those ski-town burger diners to load up on grease. Alton's cold little cheeks were so pink!
Baby *D was warm the whole time in her fleecy little suit.
The next day was bright and sunny as well, and with Baby Girl in a happy mood, everyone got a chance to hold her. Holly...
Claire...
...and even mommy Alexa!
As we discussed what to do with our morning, Alton pulled out the toys he had brought along and got a little silly.
It took little coaxing for Scott to get down on the floor and play with Alton. They smashed blocks...
created Alton's name with the blocks...
built a tower...
...and zoomed cars up and down the wall!
We elected to walk down the street to the West Seattle Farmer's Market, where we procured some apples to snack on during our drive home, and Andy and Alton spotted a fire truck parked across the street for passers-by to explore!
Wow! Too much fun. It was time for our weekend to come to an end, to take our SoCal friends to the airport, and for Alton to conk out on our long drive home. We got back to a 50-degree house and cranked up the heater while Alton and I bundled up together on the couch. (I'm not ticked at the camera in this photo; my face is too frozen to have an expression.)
Happy 2011, everyone!
