Christmas 2008

Christmas morning Aaron and I went over to my parents house to open presents and have breakfast. It was snowing like crazy at their house! It made for a wonderful and beautiful Christmas morning!

Aaron opening his stocking with some help from my dad.

My mom gave us our first baby book called "I Love You." It is a super soft book with tabs for the baby to play with while we read together. Aaron gave the baby this cute, soft little lamb.

The Cohen's joined us for Christmas dinner and we feasted on a great prime rib and my dad's famous cheesecake.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah!

Snow - Day 7

We are now on day seven of Seattle's "December Freeze" (as all the news stations are calling it). The snow melted a bit on Monday and Tuesday then we were hit again early this morning with another round of snow. We are back up to 8 inches of snow accumulation in our backyard (on Sunday it was up to 9). Here are some pictures that I took today of our house.

I couldn't resist throwing one in of our Christmas tree! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

SNOW!!!

It has been snowing in Seattle since last Thursday! I took this picture a few hours after the snow started falling. I've been working from home since last Wednesday and have a bad case of cabin fever (Aaron has been making it to work). On Saturday, Aaron took me to the U Village and Bellevue Square and drove me to a holiday party at Jodi's house on Sunday morning before the snow started dumping again...it is still falling! We have 7 inches on our back porch.


On Sunday morning we woke up and walked to Starbucks. Our street was beautiful, quiet and white.

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Aaron put up our icicle lights for the first time...and they look really beautiful! Then we went inside and decorated our tree. Aaron topped it with the angel handed down from my grandmother to my mother and now me...


...and we hung our stockings (notice that Aaron's stocking is blue and mine is red).

We went to the Microsoft holiday party at the Bellevue Westin.

And because I've been getting so many requests...a picture of the baby bump at about 19 weeks (this picture was taken a week ago).

Thanksgiving Weekend 2008

Thanksgiving morning Aaron and Neil took the two preggers to West Seattle for coffee and a brisk 4 mile walk. Can't really see the baby bump...but it's there!

Look! It took precise timing to get the yellow tug boat in the picture, but Aaron managed to do it (after about 5 takes)!

Aaron and Neil, having a couple of "Mexican" beers to celebrate Thanksgiving. Aaron was having a conversation with Neil about how convertable sports cars are great for transporting a new born baby!

Ashley is double checking Mom's work! Shortly after, Ashley threatened Aaron that if he messed up the stuffing, Thanksgiving would be ruined.

Cooking away!

We went to Benihana for lunch with the Cohens on Friday and had a great time! Neil and Aaron are now experts on how to make Fried Rice.

Courtney's Trip to Boise October 10th-12th

While Aaron was in China, I flew to Boise to visit Angie, Matt, Josie and Maura. I couldn't believe that Josie had grown so much or that I'd never met Maura and she was almost one year old! Angie and I had fun catching up and getting the girls ready for Halloween.

Angie and Josie

Maura in her high chair waiting for lunch

The Boise Botanical Gardens had a scarecrow exhibit. Angie, Matt and I took the girls to lunch then to see the scarecrows.

Aaron's China Trip

Hello Everyone, from Oct. 1st- Oct. 19 I went to China for Work. I didn't have much time to sight see (That's the reason for wearing the same shirt in most the pictures!), but it was a great experience. I visited the Summer Palace, Olympic Village, Tienanmen Square, The Great Wall, The Forgotten City and even had some Peking Duck. Although it was hard to be away from home and Courtney for so long, it was a trip I will always remember. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

On top of the Summer Palace. The view is beautiful, especially when the fog clears.


We took a "Dragon Boat" to the Palace. It was extremely crowded and touristy.


I thought I should take a typical smoggy picture, it was the worst pollution I had ever seen.

This is the Forbidden City.

Coming back from The Great Wall we got in a head on collision. I was sitting in the second window on the left. Thankfully, no one was hurt but it was really scary. Our bus driver tried to pass on a blind corner.

After the Olympics China did not issue very many visas so it is rare to see many "Westerners". It was common for the Chinese to ask to take pictures with us. This is us in front of the Swimming Cube

The Birds Nest Stadium

My company brought a Tai Chi Master to The Great Wall so we could take lessons on the wall.

We went to many fancy dinners. This particular restaurant served Al Gore a couple weeks before we ate there.

We ordered the Peking Duck and yes, they cut it up at the table.

I thought this was funny. They sell every fake brand name you could imagine in China. If you don't "Shop with Confidence" you will get extremely ripped off!

On the last night, one of our team challenges was to have a dim sum making competition.