One Cool Christmas Gift

So many fun new things to play with after Christmas, but this is today's favorite: The Night Before Christmas narrated by Great Grandma Freeman via a recorder inside the book. Pretty cool. Thanks Gigi! The kids love listening to your voice.

We Miss These Guys

The best part of Christmas is having people sleeping in every corner of your house, a full fridge and time spent eating and drinking and playing with the people you love. I'm definitely experiencing a little post-Chritmas woe over here. The house it too quiet. We miss these guys!

PS. The resemblence here, although in part due to similar eyeglass frames, is a bit scary. My Grandma Mimi was trying to get Kelcey to take pictures with my Mom all night because she thought he was my Dad. In her defence, look above. Two good lookin' dudes if you ask me. :)

Santa's Workshop Closed for Business until 2010

Phew.

Here's to You Santa

Christmas PJs

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Hey!

Santa is on his way and let me tell you, he's been working like a DOG. And not like our lazy dog who just lays on the carpet of the warmest room in the house, more like one of those iditarod dogs from animal planet's amazing 'dog' race. Thank God for eggnog.

Walsh Family Christmas and the Nike Grab Bag

We got together with my Mom's (Walsh) family for Christmas this week. My uncle has worked for Nike since about forever and a tradition that has been many years running (get it?) is the Nike Christmas Grab Bag. I am a serious fan of this tradition. This year was hat themed. Thanks Mike! And thanks to Jessica for hosting all our crazy crew.

"Bestest Friend"

These two can be so sweet to one another. Here's to a new year full of moments like these. Henry and his "bestest friend", Will.

Reading Corners

This is the reason for a reading corner. Someone will find it and make themselves comfortable all by themselves and enjoy sitting alone in peace with a good book. Wish I had time to do the same Luce, but I love to see you reading.

Zoo for Two

Or three if I count. We braved the cold at Point D. today and were the only members in attendance. Empty parking lot upon arrival at 9:30 and when departing at 11:00 we saw one other car driving in. We had so much fun. I will likely remember to do this again. With a few exhibits inside, it really wasn't all that cold and those $2 kid gloves that Fred Meyer sells have bought me more time outdoors than I could ever have imagined.

Santa's Lap '09 - 1 for 2

John's Co. (Port Blakely) throws the most fun kid's Christmas party. We've been in attendance for as many years as we have "qualified". This year on Santa's lap, we were 1 for 2.

"The Best Christmas Ever"

My Mom has always been a little manic about Christmas, but we love her for that. Three months leading up to the day, we heard a lot of "maybe for Christmas" which had replaced the usual, "don't be a wanting bag" and a month of, "isn't this just the best Christmas ever?" Well, I am my mother I guess...and proud of it!

I've had a lot of good Christmases, but since the kids have been born, really every year has felt like the best Christmas ever, and not even two weeks away, it really has been the best Christmas ever over here!

And it Begins

I love this first week of December...thoughts of decorating, cookie making and gift giving are all a flutter over here. Henry's Advent Wreath to start things off!

Go "Huckies"

John, Meg and Kelcey off to watch the Apple Cup at the LBT (Long Beach Tavern to the rookie).

Lucy has a few words to cheer the Dawgs:

As for the Cougars:

It's a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

We've all many obvious and not so obvious things to be thankful for this year. We've let Charlie Brown and his gang inspire our thanks this year!

“I can’t believe it. She must think I’m the most stupid person alive.” –Charlie Brown, as Lucy tries to persuade him to kick the football again

“But Charlie Brown, it’s Thanksgiving….One of the greatest traditions we have is the Thanksgiving Day football game and the biggest, most important tradition of all is the kicking off of the football.” –Lucy, explaining to Charlie Brown why she won’t pull the ball away this time

“Isn’t it peculiar, Charlie Brown, how some traditions just slowly fade away.” –Lucy, after she pulls the football away from Charlie Brown

“Why should I give thanks on Thanksgiving? What have I got to be thankful for? All it does is make more work for us at school.” –Sally

“Isn’t he the cutest thing?” –Sally, gushing over Linus

“I know you probably can’t talk because someone’s listening. We’ll keep these intimate things to ourselves.” –Peppermint Patty to Charlie Brown

“Just save me a drumstick and the neck.” –Peppermint Patty, putting in her order for the dinner she invited herself to

“I think I’m losing control of the whole world.” –Charlie Brown

“You can’t explain anything to Peppermint Patty because you never get to say anything.” –Charlie Brown, explaining to Linus why he’s doomed

“All I can make is cold cereal and maybe toast.” –Charlie Brown on why he can’t cook a Thanksgiving dinner for his friends

“What blockhead cooked all this?” –Peppermint Patty, not at all happy about eating toast and popcorn for Thanksgiving

“Wait a minute, Sir, did he invite you here to dinner? Or did you invite yourself and us too?” –Marcie to Peppermint Patty about her bad behavior

“Why can’t I act right outside of a baseball game?” –Peppermint Patty

“Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck…we should just be thankful for being together.” –Marcie

“Let’s not play lover’s games, Chuck.” –Peppermint Patty, after Charlie Brown accepts her apology

and my favorite..."People with large noses are naturally brave." - Peppermint Patty

Oh My OCD

This is what happens when I try to work while the kids eat lunch. Betsy, can I file a workman's comp. please?

Early-Onset Carpal Tunnel?

I'm hoping thier little tendons will train to be computer-limber, 'cause let's face it, I'm not sure I can survive my afternoons without pbskid.org.

Cabinet After Shots

And here she is...new top, feet, hardware and paint.

Wait 'till you see what I do with this

Oh man, I love a good side of the road freebe. Stand by for the after shots.

Lulu the Conversationalist

Don't be expecting any award winning footage here. This is just in case you haven't had a good talk with Lucy lately. The 'haps' in her world.

Not caught on this video, my favorite new sentence is, "tank ye mommy". No mom could resist her.

Chair for Sale

It looks like the funky little chair is a little too funky for the amateur garden club. FOR SALE. Any bidders?

Beach Stairs

My Dad built this cool stair-rail at the Beach House. I love the photos we get of these two and misc. visitors peeking through at us. I hope for several more to come, but think maybe Henry will have to start kneeling.

The Chair

Just touched up this little chair for Cristina's Amateur Garden Club (Coffee House). Wasn't sure what to do when I first saw it, but after some TLC, I love the result. Comfy too - anyone will be able to come sit in it and have a cup of good coffee in a few weeks.

So excited to be at the beach...

...we can hardly stay still for a photo.

Waiting-up for Daddy

One Smart Smock

I love this little art smock. Made from rip-stop nylon, it is paint ready! Nothing inspires like a custom order. Thanks Christine! Too much fun to make just one...stand by for an etsy update.

One Wild Halloween

This was a wild Halloween in a lot of ways. We have certainly never put so much effort into this Holiday before, but I think we had a lot of fun this year.

We started Oct. with a trip to the Pumpkin patch with the Torrones and Tookie and Grandpa.

Friday: Swine-flu vaccines rewarded by an Awesome Halloween care package from Meg and Kelcey complete with Pumpkin whoopie cushion.

Halloween: All the cousins were in attendance, including a visit from Grandpa Al's Cousin, Sister Yvonne and our friend Sister Mary. We entertained many stoppers-by throughout the day, in true open-house form. Having time with Simon and Anna and Gabrielle this weekend was so wonderful it fills my eyes with tears even as I think of it. I love them like no-body's business! Their parents are OK too.

Buz's Sugar high in full effect. "To infiniby and beyond!"
One monkey's sugar crash.

One high-larious costume contribution by Grandpa Al and Grandma Pati. Good sports.
Dr. Craddock's famous Magic Show at 7:00.

And the memory I chose to remember from the whole weekend: a very sweet and short trick-or-treating expedition with Malia, Will and Charlie that started with one tiny elephant (Will) letting himself into a neighbors living room and ended with us all being invited into another's, complete with Halloween Village (vaguely reminiscent of Freakshow's Living Room). Fun for all ages!