Later on in the afternoon we headed over for the traditional Butler family Christmas celebration... Mmmm, Mom outdid herself with dinner this year. It was so good! (we may never need to eat again, after today's delicious meals)

Every year Santa brings a unique ornament for everyone - they are tied to a ribbon and hidden inside a special santa holder. Everyone holds on to a ribbon, the lid is lifted off, and we pull out the ornaments for the year. This tradition began with my Great Grandma Katie, Norah's Great-Great Grandma. Its so exciting to pass the traditions along to her. This was the first time Norah could pull out her ornament - a colorful snowman!

Eskimo kisses with Grammie - both sporting their elf (Norah's term) hats. Mom was doing lots of cooking and the hat was making her hot, but every time she tried to take it off Norah would insist it go back on. And actually, Norah's hat is intended for Baby Brother, but she confiscated it for the evening.
Opening presents with Uncle Kodiak
Aunt Mindy, helping Norah with her special new baby, Brigitte. Mindy and Robert drove up from So. Cal. for a quick Christmas Eve/Christmas visit. We were all ecstatic to see them!
Robert and Jones, falling asleep after dinner
At the end of the night - a very tired Norah has somehow found herself a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie to eat. Chocolate shmeared everywhere, Christmas ribbon in one ponytail, bags under her eyes... Whew, Christmas fun can wear a girl out.

Mom set a beautful table for our Christmas Eve dinner and even Norah had a special place setting - pewter plate, silver cup and her very own "cracker" to open with the rest of the family!

At the end of the night Norah set out cookies for and milk for Santa. It was hard for her not to eat the cookies...they were frequently hovering near her mouth. She opened up her new Christmas jammies, we snuggled her in them then put her to bed - and she went right to sleep. She'll be ready for all the festivities tomorrow!

Yeah, life could be weirder!

Two wombs, three babies

Getting ready for Santa

On Friday we began preparing for Santa's big visit on Christmas Eve. Grammie Peggy had a cookie baking party (we made so many kinds) and Norah had a chance to make a special batch to leave for Santa. As you can see, she has a very light touch with the sprinkles - she calls them sparkles. The house smelled to yummy and it was very homey - we may have to make this a tradition!

Grammie made a special Christmas stocking for Norah - you can see how beautiful it is! Norah loves it - sparkles and snowflakes are of endless enjoyment to her. Thank you, mom!!

Captain's Log, Stardate 2308

It's the 302nd anniversary of Baby Skogen's due date, yet there is no sign of his arrival. Scotty, we have a problem.

For crying out loud (can you hear me?)

We had our last OB appointment today and still no sign of Baby Skogen. A month ago they told us he would be early, but here we are!! Official due date is tomorrow. Unless he decides to make an appearance before, we'll be induced on Saturday, the 30th. Also Ryan's birthday... :-)

Lloyd Center, Miniature Golf, yes...Baby, no...

Well, we're doing everything we can here to help Baby S arrive! Its looking like December 21st is not the big birthday. :-)

This morning Norah and I met Aunt Laurie and Baby 'Belle at Lloyd Center to exchange presents and meet Santa. What an adventure! Isabelle is about the happiest baby we have ever met - and quite the willing model for pictures. She always has a smiley face on for the camera. well, you'll see how quickly that can change....

Yay, waiting for Santa!

Laurie sets Isabelle down and instant tears pop out! She is not a fan of creepy men in weird outfits. Laurie picked her back up to sooth her, while Norah took a turn. Isabelle was happy as can be with mom, but when placed back on Santa's lap she definitly made her views known again. Get me off!!

Norah steps in for a little action, between efforts with Isabelle. This is her 3rd time sitting on Santa's lap - she is beginning to take it in stride, but was still anxious for her turn.

The great escape - Quick Belle, run!!

Look at this girl...you'd never guess that just minutes ago she met the weirdest fella ever. She is such a good sport!

Golfing

Norah experienced her first Butler family Christmas miniature golf tournament this afternoon. She is a pro with the clubs and definitly took a few tips from Grandpa's "how to cheat in golf" handbook. :-)

So happy to see Great-Grandpa!
After her tiring round of golf, Norah kept asking to sit by Great-Grandma. She is a good cuddler!
Hole in one!
Misty, teaching Norah how to swing. Norah was good at keeping track of who's ball was who's = except that she would run and pick them up and return them to the owner every time they hit them. Hard to keep score...
Showing Aunt Eileen her onion ring. Duh, everyone knows that rings go on your finger. After we persuaded her to eat it, she prompty returned it to the table. That's my girl, onions are yucky!

Nope, still no sign B.B.S.

As its only about an hour till midnight, I'm guessing he won't be arriving today!

Left to her own devices,

this is how Norah would dress herself. She really doesn't need any help from me.
Baseball Cap? Check.
Sunglasses? Check.
PJs? Check.
Tutu? Check.
Rubber Rain Boots? Check, check.

No, Baby Boy Skogen has not arrived.

Yes, we will tell you when he does. ;-) Only 2 more days till our due date. I wonder if the baby knows he is due???

Zoo, yes! Labor..no...

In an unsuccessful attempt to encourage labor, Norah and I went to Zoo Lights with Grandma Peggy and Uncle Kodiak. We ended up in a parking space that was front row - and our luck held from there. Although a bit more crowded and lots more chilly than the first time, it was still a great visit. Grammie found a neat light wand for Norah and she enjoyed that throughout our trip. We wandered all over, had hot chocolate and dinner, and even a ride on the zoo train. On the way back to our house we drove past lots of beautiful Christmas lights and sang Christmas carols (you'll have to have Kodiak sing you his versions of some of them).

Thanks Grandma and Kodiak!

Surprising Mama with Grandma's gloves

Riding the zoo train

Enjoying the ride with Grandma

A walk past beautiful lights

In case you didn't know where we were!

Nursery again!

Norah went to church with my mom again today. She is in love with the nursery class there. Plus, hanging out with Grammie and Uncle Dak is always a good time. After I dropped her off Ryan and I finished up most of our Christmas shopping. Lloyd Center was packed, as you can imagine. When we stopped back by to pick up Norah she was so excited to give us presents that she had made in her class. It was really dear - she had two Christmas ornaments that I will treasure always. Probably much to her embarassment when she gets older. :-) Mom had some friends over and dinner ready, so we enjoyed eating there and visiting with them all. Norah was once again completely passed out by the time we got home!

Norah looked so cute in her dress today I tried to get a pic. Unfortunatly Jones had spotted a chipmunk in the backyard there ended any photo op. This is Norah telling me to stop Jones and get the chipmunk. :-) Such consternation on her face!

Christmas is coming

Packages from Grandma Carmen and Grandpa Lyman arrive in the mail today. Opening the boxes and placing the presents under the tree was an exciting part of Norah's day. We'll see how long they last under there, the temptation to touch is overwhelming to a two year old! Grandma sent along a special big sister present for Norah - a t-shirt that says Princess Big Sister and a little button that reads I'm the Big Sister. She is getting into the concept now and likes to tell me she is the big sister. Cute!

After 3 days of isolation

we had to get out of the house! Norah has had a cold this week and we have been pretty stir crazy. I told her that we would go see Grandma Peggy soon and she took that to mean immediatly. Still in her jammies, she put one of Ryan's socks on one arm, a clog on her foot, her purse on her other arm then stood at the door telling me she was ready to go. Fortunatly Grammie will take sick monkeys at her house so we headed over for a visit (yes, we did change first). Grandma helped Norah make cookies then we played for a while. It was a much-needed reprieve!

Playing horse and eating a cookie - Grammie is a good sport!

Chikeemunk

Norah has been so great at picking up her vocabulary - we get a kick out of it when she ends up mangling a word. Tonight she saw a show and pointed out the chikeemunk that was eating popcorn. Translated: Chipmunk eating an acorn. How can she say rhinocerous so clearly and then talk about Jones' new "haircup"? Love it. :-)

Christmas Party Fun

Norah spent the night with Grandma Peggy this weekend - she attended Grammie's fun church Christmas Party on Saturday night, then went to church with Grandma on Sunday and played in the nursery class on Sunday. She loved it! The ward Christmas party had music from around the world, plus lots of other kids to chase in circles. Norah is such a music fan, we were happy to have her experience the fun. A good friend of the Butler family is the nursery teacher at my mom's church. That was another heyday of good times - they teach a lesson, have craft time, music time and of course, playtime. She was really excited to see us when she came home, and tell about her adventures. Checking out the tree Uncle Dak decorated, before bedtime.
So tired after church, she couldn't stay awake! All that fun can be exhausting...

Checking out the radio features on the van (nope, we weren't driving at the time)
Grammie has a Christmas bear that plays Jingle Bells - Norah's first Christmas song that she can sing. She likes to carry it around Grandma's house and push the button.

Playing House

Norah opened her birthday present from Aunt Kaye, Uncle Dave, Sean and Kris last night. She loves playing house in the new pop-up tent. Can't tell you how many times she has walked in and out the door. Her chair that Grandpa made her is in there right now and tonight she took in her laptop so she coud go to "work". Fun times for a little monkey!

Misty's coming out party...

http://mistyrosesworld.blogspot.com/

Now can be viewed at any time through linking from our site...or set her up as one of your favorites. :-)

Zoo Lights!

This time we really were able to see the Zoo Lights! After picking up Ryan early from work we visited the Zoo Light extravaganza. In future years, we will always go on a weeknight! The display was beautiful and the crowds were very small - didn't have to wait in any lines. Norah was so entranced with everything. Although we brought her wagon, she walked amost the entire way. She even insisted on helping daddy push the wagon and ended up pulling it all by herself up the hill to the exit. She is one determined monkey! There was so much to see; we had a great time. (I fidgeted with the setting on my camera and ended up with some odd shots. I guess I won't be taking any professional photos any time soon!)

A wagon ride, popcorn and lights...could it get any better?
Helping Daddy push the wagon back to the car

Mesmerized by the Land of Oz in lights
Poking Rudolph in the nose...you should have seen her jab the Tiger in the eye. :-)

Oh Christmas Tree

After hearing all about how elves live in Christmas trees (per daddy), Norah was pretty excited to bring home an elf tree of our own. She explored all of the trees we saw, looking for the elves! And as we were in the area, Ryan also took her on a carousel ride. Wheee... :-)

Poking through the trees, looking for any elves!

So excited that Daddy is tying the tree to the top of the car

Bringing the elf tree in!

As you can see, Ryan takes his job as spotter very seriously...

Birthday Visit with Grandpa and Gramma

Gramma and Grandpa Skogen came to visit on Saturday, bringing birthday presents and cousins! Dillon, Carson and Solomon came along for the fun - we opened Norah's birthday presents from Gramma and Grandpa then had a quick dinner before heading over to Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo. Norah loves her new toys. G&G brought her lots of fun things, including an all-in-one baby station - she can feed, change, bath, etc. her stuffed animals and dolls.
Unfortunatly, trying to get to Zoo Lights WAS a zoo and Norah just wasn't up for the hour wait in line, outside in the cold weather. G&G and cousins were able to find a good parking spot, but after about a half hour in the very cold shuttle line, we packed grumpy Norah back up into the car and took her around to look at Christmas lights on houses. With that and a peppermint hot chocolate, she was appeased. She really couldn't wait to get back to her birthday presents...!

Ho-Ho-Ho, it's Santa Claus

Tonight Norah and I met Daddy at the mall so we could visit Santa Claus! A few days ago she spied Santa at Lloyd Center and couldn't wait to go back to talk to him. All dressed up and ready to go - she couldn't wait to get out the door. So cute - she was equally excited to go see Daddy as she was to see Santa.

Santa gave her TWO suckers! Santa was very authentic - check out that beard. :-) She wasn't scared at all.

We arrived right at the same time as Santa was taking a break, so we ate dinner at the diner in the mall. Norah danced and bobbed to the oldies and tried to scam sips of our milkshakes.

Ryan decided he was one of Santa's reindeer helpers...
...so Norah had to do the same!