++Fail++

I have failed this whole blogging thing horribly recently.  I'm not sure anyone even stops by to read this anymore.  I have toyed with giving it up but then I get sad about not having the documentation in my voice for the kids.  I also realized the parents and in-laws and aunts and uncles miss the photos. 
So.  In an effort to catch you up.  Here was August to December.  Gulp.

++We went on a fun little vacation to the Hood Canal.  Total last-minute trip booked after I saw this resort featured on a local news program.  Turns out it's right next door to Bill Gates' cabin.  Our weekend was complete with sightings of Bill's kids arriving in a helicopter and Bill himself docking his sea plane at the resort's dock.  Yes.  He looks equally as unimpressive in person. 

 ++Wyatt started Pre-K!  He should be very ready for school.  This is his third full year of proper preschool after all. 

 ++The little one couldn't be left out of the fun.  She started school as well.  Two days a week of fun for her and pure bliss for me.  Three hours have never flown by so fast!

 ++She didn't have to be potty trained for her school but after a week or two of watching her friends use the potty she couldn't be left out.  We had a little apprehension about #2...nothing a princess scooter couldn't fix!

 ++We celebrated the fifth birthday of a certain boy Search and Rescue style.  Sixteen kiddos enjoyed the homemade party fun. 

 ++Wyatt scored his first goal and generally dominated the 3/4 year-old soccer league.  This September birthday thing has it's advantages.  He probably could have played up but the 5/6 year-olds would probably be less sympathetic to him missing the entire first practice due to uniform apprehension (this may not be a documented medical condition but we sure do suffer from it in our house).

 ++In a major breakthrough we celebrated Halloween with two happy kids in costume.  Claire was a pickle (her request...although late in the game she was really wishing she were a princess.)  Wyatt wore a homemade $0 construction worker costume.  It makes up for the no-go on the $50 Air Force pilot costume from last year.  It also helped that Larson was thrilled to be an Air Force pilot this year!!

 Even mom and dad  got in on the fun. 

 ++Wyatt learned to ride a two-wheel bike in about five minutes.  If only we lived in a place that was remotely bikeable. 

 ++We flew to MN/WI and were able to help Busha celebrate her 103rd birthday.  She requested a T-Bone steak.  Love that lady...

 ++In true Washington fashion we picked out a tree in the fog and rain.  We sure did get a nice one though!

 ++For those of you who didn't see our Christmas card...these two cuties made an appearance on the cover.  What you can't see is that Claire is wearing her dress from last year.  The tights barely made it past her knees.  What a sport.

 ++In yet another breakthrough for our family, we had NO TEARS with Santa this year.  Claire's request: Barbies and a Cinderella dress (my pre-mother self is totally rolling in her grave), Wyatt asked for the Lego Police Station.  Over and over and over again.

 ++Just so we don't get ahead of ourselves in the breakthroughs of 2011, Wyatt was his good old self at the class Christmas program.  The funny part is that he participates all the way up to the main event and this year his classmates were confused.  The guy next to him kept elbowing him trying to get him to sing.  By the way, the girl next to him is Romy...cutest thing ever.  She told her mom she isn't getting married but if she did get married it would be to Wyatt.  Done.  On the other side of her is Joey.  The new BFF of all the world.

 ++The little one didn't disappoint at her program.  Her school did disappoint us by putting the little ones sitting on the ground.  Good thing she had the big pink bow on.  It helped us keep track of her!

 ++Merry Christmas from the Pacynas!!!

Bring on 2012.  Something tells me this year may be exciting!