I can't believe it is already December...and that December is more than half way over! Time flys...here's what we have been doing this month.
This boy continues to amaze me...he figured out that he could count past 100 (which he has been able to do for a while) and proceeded to count to 400 on the day this picture was taken. He also uses the number magnets on the fridge to count (changing each number as he counts higher). So he is doing it orally and visually. As of today he is up to 920 - he has two sets of numbers on the fridge...one for where he is in counting out loud (so he can keep track from day today) and one for where he is doing it with the magnets. Is this amazing or what? I think it is for a 5 1/2 year old. He figured this all out on his own!
This girl, on the other hand, is not spending her time counting, but dancing. We got out my grandma's bag of jewelry and she put it ALL on and danced around (in front of the mirror). She is so funny.
My grandma never had her ears pierced, so she had quite a collection of clip-on earrings. Perfect for a 3-year-old to dress up with.
My aunt Ruth came to visit for a day at the beginning of the month. We had a little belated birthday party for her (key lime pie!) and had fun reading books and playing games.
Joel & Maren made an advent chain for Christmas. It was so neat to see them working so well together. They did it all by themselves!
My great uncle Jack and cousin Carolyn (from Boise!!) were visiting my grandparents in Tacoma, so we stopped by for a quick visit. Notice Maren and Carolyn? They are two peas in a pod...I think Maren gets her flair for dancing and drama from Carolyn!
Maren discovered hot chocolate. Don't worry, the GIGANTIC mug wasn't full!
The kids are LOVING seeing Christmas lights everywhere we go. Our car rides sound like this "Oooh, look Joel!" "Lights!" "Look out my window!" "No, my window!" Then it turns into fighting about whose window to look out. :) These lights are in our neighborhood...and they sing! What ill they think of next...
Sweet kids...it is good for me to see these pictures and see how much they really do play well together...sometimes I feel like they are ALWAYS fighting. Here's the proof that they aren't!
My mom did a great job on the turkey, and all the food was really good! 
My cousin Abby was there with her brand new fiancee, Morgan (not pictured).
Carol, Linda & Leah (holding Kallie) 
This is my newest little cousin, Kallie. My uncle Ted and aunt Leah adopted her just over a year ago...she is a doll.
This is Kallie's brother Jack - I hadn't seen him since he was a newborn, and now he is 7!!
I also hadn't seen my cousin Chenae for years...her daughter Ayame is 4 and this is the first time I have met her!
My mom brought this great craft for the kids to do. They are gingerbread houses made of interlocking foam pieces. It was a big hit!
Joel was VERY methodical and organized with his decorating...when he was done (2 days later) it looked exactly like the picture!
The present she got to open was from Amit, and it was a face and hair painting kit!!! I am so glad we had an artist in residence! (Mimi was here for a couple of days...)
Are we done taking pictures yet?! 
Joel got in on the fun, too!
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