Bath Time

We've started a regular bedtime routine with Carissa to help her go to bed at night.  While she still does not sleep through the night, the routine has helped her calm down before bed and go to sleep without a fight.  One part of the routine is bath time, which she LOVES!  Sometimes she gets really excited and kicks her legs like crazy, while other times she is more subdued and likes to relax in the warm water.  I haven't gotten the crazy kicking on video yet, but I did take some pretty sweet pictures of her relaxing in the tub.

Santa Photos

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year and with a little one it is even more fun.  I can't wait until Carissa is older and begins to get really excited!!  This year we just enjoyed her incredible social skills and cuteness as she seemed to enjoy both Santas she visited.

The first Santa is actually our friend Darren, who volunteers at Mt. Baker with us.  He has been volunteering as Santa for a few years now and folks can visit Mt. Baker to get their picture taken with him.  We volunteered at this event so Auntie Kristy came to the mountain with us and babysat Carissa.  They had fun spending time together and about halfway through the day we all got our picture taken with Santa.  Can't beat the backdrop of Mt. Shuksan!!

Carissa with Santa (she blends in with her snowsuit on!)

Hostetlers with Santa

Hostetlers and Aunt Kristy with Santa

Aunt Kristy in the lodge with Carissa asleep in the front pack

Auntie is good at getting Carissa to sleep!

The second Santa is the one in our local mall, who I couldn't resist visiting after seeing some of my friends pictures.  He is an adorable Santa, who wears a non-traditional outfit and has a great reputation. Many babies cry at the sight of a big hairy stranger, but I swear this is the real Santa!  Carissa loved him and was all smiles for the camera.  

4 Months!

Carissa turned 4 months on December 12.  Her new trick is grabbing her toes to get herself into Happy Baby pose.  She is so obsessed with her feet, she often wakes herself up trying to play with them.  Pretty cute!

Christmas Tree Adventure

Luke and I always go to a u-cut Christmas tree farm to get our tree and this year I was excited for Carissa to be able to help us pick one out.  However, things did not go as planned!  During the week we finally had time to go get the tree, Bellingham was having a cold snap and temperatures were as low as 9 degrees with the wind chill.  Rare for this side of the state!  We decided to brave it anyway.  The place we went was a bit of a drive and of course Carissa fell asleep in the car on the way there.  Often she wakes up when the car is turned off, but not this time.  We didn't want to wake her up just to bring her into the freezing cold, especially since she is not the greatest napper these days.  So.....we left her in the car and picked from the trees that were right next to the parking lot.  We still got a good one, but it is a bit of a beast!  Maybe next year she will be more help in picking out the perfect tree.  :)

Fresh and Local

One of my friends from work gave Carissa this super cute shirt.  I will be sad when she outgrows it!

Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving this year and were joined by friends and family.  Sadie's mom, stepdad, and youngest sister Mariah came over from Spokane.  Luke's brother Aaron joined us, as well as our good family friends, the Troosts.  It was a great day with lots of laughs, delicious food and good memories.

Grandma Ann and Grandpa Rich hanging out with Carissa

Aunt Mariah, Grandma Ann and Carissa

Minda and Carissa

adorable Lyvia

Jake doing what he loves best

Carissa checking out Daddy's yummy food

some of the gang

Uncle Aaron wants to eat Carissa for dinner

Jake and Lyvia love their new "cousin"

Snow Bunny

As many of you already know, Luke and I spend most of our winter weekends at Mt. Baker.  We decided that having a baby was not going to change that, so last weekend we went up for the first time. The mountain has not been open very long, so many of the runs were not open and the ones that were had very little coverage.  We decided we would each get to take 4 runs and could decide our own routes.  Luke went out first while I stayed with Carissa, and then I went out.  It was a beautiful day up there and was actually warmer than down in Bellingham.  Overall, it was a very successful first trip and we will be making many more this winter.  Next winter maybe Carissa will be on her own pair of skis!

The Many Faces of Carissa