The Magic of Christmas

This year the magic of Christmas came back to the Minahan home...it was a month filled with family gatherings, amazing friends, lots of Santa, Warm 106.9 Christmas carols, parties and more blessings than we deserve. As we approached the New Year Al and I could not help but being so thankful for what 2009 brought us...Owen. 2009 has been "The Year of Owen" in our house and it's been scary, exciting and yet the most rewarding thing we've ever experienced. I hope 2010 can step it up because this one is going to be hard to beat.

Flint Family Christmas...I know, I know...the hats?

My Uncle Bill is fabulous at making us all look silly at family functions...this year was pretty cute though.  Papa read the Christmas story to the grand cousins and Owen and it was so fun to see.  We miss Grandpa and Grandma Flint so much this holiday season and it was so fun to have our huge family together to celebrate.  Note: this gift was from the white elephant gift exchange...we really don't give 

The Clapper as gifts.

Mulled Wine at the Whitfield's and Holiday Lights

We spent an evening in December drinking mulled wine at the Whitfield's to celebrate Doug's birthday and the beginning of the holiday season and then headed off to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.  It was a great evening and so much fun with such good people.  This is a darling picture of Ben Heidergott  who did this when I asked him to smile...so darn cute!!!

Not the best picture but we tried.

Owen loved Baby Sophie's activity mat.

Elizabeth's beautiful daughter Sophie, she is so sweet.

Turkey Trot 2009

On Thanksgiving morning we met some friends at Greenlake for a Turkey Trot...a fabulous way to start the 'fill the belly too full"day. The kiddos, moms and dads were ready for the rain and awaited Starbucks at the finish line. Owen found his love for no water, soy Chais this day! Thanks Kate for organizing. Great group, great idea and hilarious children.

Our First Family Photos

We found an absolutely AMAZING photographer that we love here in Edmonds. Her name is Becca Howell and her blog is http://www.beccahowell.net/. We'll post more pics when we get them but there are a few of us on her blog. We would love to put you in touch with her if you're looking for a reasonably priced and very talented photographer.

Getting into the Christmas spirit

This morning Kate and I took the boys to Swanson's Nursery to begin celebrating the holiday season.  Clearly, I can't wait.  Thanks to Red Tricycle.com we found something fun and free to kick off the season.  The boys saw Curley the camel, reindeers Blitzen, Dasher and Jingle, Owen's chubby cheek was painted with a candy cane, we visited Santa and watched the trains buzz around the track.  Of course, we moms enjoyed our lattes as well.  Great Saturday morning, plus we had to get out of the house away from a sick daddy.

Our Little Pumpkin

What parents really do this to their child?  The best part is that actually liked being in the pumpkin for our picture time.  This kid is hilarious if you can't already tell...he LOVES life!!!  Wasn't a huge fan of the stroller at the end of the evening.