Too much catching up to do

Wow, I have a lot of catching up to do! I don't know what happened to me and blogging but between my trip to Germany, Chris coming to visit, Christmas, my parents leaving and now a lot of time has gone by! Lots of fun pictures were taken and great times were had, but time has just been going without a lot of time for blogging. It is hard to know where to start. I guess I could do a little recap of December and January and then move on.
I got to visit my sister in Germany. By myself for a whole week! It was amazing! The flight alone was the vacation I was craving and then the fun started! Betsy and I got to go to Adoboden together! We made dinner, went sledding and had so much fun! I got to get to know her and Eric's sweet kids, Sophia and Jacob better. I love being an Aunt! It is the best role ever (maybe next to being a Grandma but I will have to wait a while to find that one out for sure). I got to sleep in Sophia's room with her and see Jacob playing away!
We also got to two Christmas Market's in 6 days. Basel is a really cool city, and really expensive! Now I know why we packed P and J sandwiches whenever we went to Switzerland! It was a blast to be back there. I got to go running 4 times! Kandern is an amazing place to run! And got eat delicious food! When can I go back??? I didn't really have jet leg either which was amazing and unexpected. I think it makes up for the three weeks (two weeks there, one week when we got back) I had jet leg with Luca when I took him to Germany when he was two years old...maybe.
The time back in Seattle for Christmas was a lot of fun too! The kids got so excited. John got me and the kids some thoughtful fun gifts. A cool bag to bring my computer to work and a fleece and PJ's. Juliette a jewelry box and Luca skis!  Juliette's favorite present would have to be the princess shoes from Aunt Meagan, Molly, Annie! She loves them! Thanks again you guys for picking out the perfect gift!
Luca also attended two days of day camp at a Jewish Community Center which broke up the break. Two weeks without school or a break for the grown ups is a long time!  John and I didn't take time off during the break so it didn't feel like vacation exactly but the holiday days were a lot of fun. (and since I had just been to Germany, I felt like I had my vacation!) John had Christmas Day off, which was really nice.
My parents were packing, packing,and getting ready to move! They left about 2 weeks ago. The kids were very sad to say good-bye as were we! I am still trying to remember how I got to run on a regular basis before they came to town. We miss them for sure!
Here are a few pictures from the last 6 weeks or so

 On Top of the World!

 Sledding

 Betsy and I in Basel

 Jacob and Sophia

 Our tree

 Merry Christmas

 Luca making Christmas cards for his AMC friends around the US

 Riding on the light rail

 Gingerbread houses downtown Seattle

 Downtown Merry Go rides

 Luca's show at school

 Making Christmas cookies

                                      
 Juliette's new shoes!

 Skis

 COZY!

 Trying out the new skis

 Christmas with my family and the Bryants!

 Tea party

Kids by the tree

 More tea parties

 Fun with Uncle Chris and Popeye

 Sibling love!

 Making a gingerbread house with Chris

 Our first Santa picture

 Chris and Katie

 Saying good bye to Popeye

 Saying good bye to Cozy...we all look too happy!

 Cool Juliette

 Saying Good bye

 Luca going skiing with John and getting hot chocolate after 10 runs down the hill! Go Luca!

Soccer

Luca's soccer season wrapped up about two weeks ago. It was a great season with a super coach! Luca seemed to learn a lot and I think it was very special for him to get to be apart of a team!
He even got a trophy, which he seems to be most proud of:) His favorite position was goalie but he got an assist during the final game of the season! I loved watching him play soccer and am very glad we got a chance to be apart of it this fall!

 

Luca with coach Chris and his trophy

Movie Night and Snow

Luca wanted to have a movie night with his friends! We had popcorn and Dr. McStuffins! Luca seemed more interested in playing with his friends than watching the show but it was a fun idea. Yesterday am we got about an inch and 1/2 yesterday of snow in Seattle! The kids woke up with glee, "Mom, my best wish has come true! It is snowing!" Luca said, and got his snow clothes on right away at 7 am. I let him go out because you never know how long that little snow will stick around! Not enough to go sledding but it was fun and makes me feel like Christmas is on its way!

Happy Birthday Mom and Dad

My parents both have birthdays in November, they were born just three weeks apart. I got to celebrate with my mom downtown Seattle out for lunch, Pike Place Market and coffee! It was great to feel like we were on vacation in our own city! My dad's birthday was when John and I were gone so while the kids got to celebrate with him, I have not gotten to yet...soon! Happy Birthday to you both! I love you!

 Mom, you are looking so young...are you sure you are celebrating another birthday!

Jeremy, Kristin and Iver

John and I were able to visit our good friends Jeremy, Kristin and Iver Jones! We had a great time with them and enjoyed time away without kids! A huge thank you to my parents for watching our kids! I got explore the town through running three of the four days and slept in every morning! We went out to eat and to a musical festival. It was also fun to get to know Iver in person! He is a happy guy! Thanks again for having us! We miss you guys already!
Another fun thing that happened while John and I there, we met a family with a 6 month old who has AMC. We stopped to visit with them! We were the first people they had ever met who knew or had a family member with AMC. It was neat to get to meet another AMCer and help connect them to the AMC community.

 Kristin is an amazing decorator! wow!

John and Iver!

Grandpa Walker

Grandpa Walker was able to come and visit for a few days. He came to a super cold soccer practice. Luca's last one of the season! Juliette had fun climbing on him and Luca enjoyed playing with him too! Thanks for coming out!

Auntie Annie's visit

My wonderful aunt came to visit from Minnesota! We had such a great time together! The kids loved getting to spend time with Annie!
Annie and I were planning on doing a 1/2 marathon together while she was there, but I got a bad sore throat so we did a beautiful hike at Discovery Park instead. She also took Luca and I on the Farris wheel and to Pike Place Market! I didn't take enough pictures! It was a really special weekend, thanks again for coming out to visit us Annie! We love you and miss you!

 Annie brought special stuffed animals for the kids that are also night lights! Luca is sleeping with his Dino in the picture below! Can you tell he loves it?

Auntie Annie, Luca (and Juliette's head)