Mason John Rapelje brought his mom and a bucket of his favorite toys over last weekend for a little play date before going back to school. It was fun to see how much the babies had grown in just two short weeks while on Winter Break. It's also really neat to see the physical differences between the two. I was amazed how long Mason's arms are. MJR missed his 6 month appointment because of the snow, so we put them back to back to measure up their height growth. He was at least an inch taller that Izzi. I like how the first photo shows off Mason's big hands as he looks to Ashton for a high-five.
It's fun to watch how physical these two are with each other. They have been going to daycare and playing side-by-side since they were three months old, and are quite affectionate. In the third photo Ashton seems to be looking at me to see if it is okay that she and Mason hold hands (something they've been caught doing more than once!).
The next two photos loaded in reverse order, so scroll down first to see Ashton reaching for Mason's sock and then ripping it off to chew. She has been doing this to her own socks for four months now. She loves feet!
Mason got really good at clapping over the break. I think the best thing about these two being so close in age is that they learn a lot by watch each other. Before Mason came over I don't think Ashton really realized she had hands that she could slap together. Sure, I've clapped to calm her down, and in general, the fascination with the sound has worked. I was delighted when Ashton woke up Monday morning and decided that she could clap too. She's been giving everything a round of applause these days.
Thanks for the playtime Mason and Linsay. It was a nice afternoon.
This week has been really interesting. Ashton's sleeping and eating patterns have been all over the place. One day she will open her mouth wide for winter squash, carrots and bananas, and the next lock her lips, shield her face, and turn away in disgust. Afterwards, she will match my "mommie" spoon with her own "baby" spoon for a game of Jedi light-sabre action. The battle has been quite fun. On Monday she wouldn't eat mashed bananas, but she dove for the real deal in my hand. On Tuesday I decided to break off little pieces of banana for her and sneak them into her mouth. That was when I discovered the culprit of her new babbling, drooling self. Jutting out of her lower, right gum was a razor sharp tooth. That explains the long naps followed by sleepless nights where she incessantly calls "neh-neh" and smacks her lips to nurse. I keep telling her that I am not her chew toy, but I don't think she cares.....and I thought I would be able to rationalize with a seven month old! hahahaha. To all mothers out there questioning the ethics of the pacifier, I say do it. It will save you in the long run!
Here's her seventh month "chair" photo. Looking quite "pert" and poised in the first photo......
.....a bit sassy here......
.......so sweet in her peace shirt here...........
........and singing to mama in this last photo.
It was nice to come home to green again. I've always thought that I wanted to live on the east side of the mountains with the snow and long seasons, but maybe I do love moderate Sequim after all. We went down to the beach and saw these swans and geese in a meadow above the bluff. It was so peaceful.
Ashton has been in such a good mood since we got home. She has gotten through the worst part of her cold, but has started to drool more steadily now, which makes me believe that she could actually be working on a tooth soon. She is talking up a storm, and call me crazy, but even mimicking the undulating sounds Poppie and I make as well. 
Trina gave me one of Wren's old "hippie" sweaters that Aunt Nancy knit. I just love it. It is a bit big on Izzi right now, but she still dawned it for fun. 
This first photo is actually the calm after the storm. It was taken the morning of the 26th when half of the house was still sleeping. I think Ashton was the first to go down, and the first to get up. Unfortunately, I was too. One week on the road was more exhausting than I imagined it would be. 
Here's a nice photo of GG and Ethan. Grandma Gert lasted longer than I did on Christmas night, and still has that morning glow!
Cousins Wren and Fisher gave Ashton a xylophone and a "ball punch" toy. Izzi was more interested in all the action around her initially; however, I think she's getting the hand of both toys now that we're nestled back at home.
I like the depth in this photo with Fisher in front getting ready to pound his blocks with a hammer, Trina close by chuckling at her little boy's "boyishness," and Aunt Nancy enviously scoping out Wren's attire. Wren looks a little worried that Aunt Nancy might actually fit into her "glass" slippers.
Willis was in the middle of it all somehow managing a zen state.
I like this photo with Uncle Troy helping Wren with her new fire truck, Ethan helping Fisher with his vacuum, and Trina scoping out the details of Fisher's "manly" plastic addition to the household on the Internet. 
Princess Wren (or was it Queen at this point?) adjusting her tiara, or crown. 
We started the holiday rounds with Grammie Brennie in Port Angeles. Uncle Ray and Aunt Sarah sent her a package from Japan with the cutest little speakers I'd ever seen. Izzi had fun wishing Brennie a Merry Christmas, but more importantly a happy New Year.
Then we headed to Seattle on the solstice to spend time with the Howell crew, and stay at Uncle Edward and Aunt Kathryn's house for five days. I couldn't believe how much snow the city saw. It made our last minute shopping seem ridiculous, and made me come back to the true meaning of the holidays--hanging out with family and friends and enjoying each others company, rather than the gifts we give.
Gramps stayed at Tyler and Katie's with us.....so got a lot of Ashton time. She had fun inspecting his glasses and teasing him with periodic staring contests.
Ashton had a lot of fun with Maximus, who is a gentle puppy in a big dog's body already. I can't believe how much he has grown in just a few short months. He is so playful, and loving. We enjoyed the mornings just taking in the Seattle scene.
Ready or not, Christmas came and went quickly.
Looking at the snowfall outside with Uncle Tyler.
Giving Aunt Kathryn a little love before bed. Ahhhh.
Izzi seemed to like Auntie A's necklace an awful lot. Bo seems to like Auntie A an awful lot. Okay, baby A too!
Ashton has definitely hit the seven month attachment to mama phase. When we first got to Uncle Tyler and Auntie Katie's house everyone was in the basement eagerly waiting her arrival. Jake took her down to say hello while I answered a call on my cell. When she rounded the corner everyone cheered and this was her reaction. She was a little overwhelmed. I don't think it helped that she had a cold settling as well. 
I love this photo of baby A with Uncle Bo in her new jammies. Uncle Bo picked out the pink kitty pattern just for her. I think she likes them. They certainly kept her warm through the night.
G-mum gave our little star a basketball hoop to start practicing her shot. Ashton knew what to do right away. Now that we're home, she has been tossing the ball through the hoop and then following her shot to retrieve it. It's so much fun to watch.
This photo makes Christmas seem overly laborious, no?
