The Shed, El Fin

And that's that.

 shutters and window box courtesy of Grandpa Mike

Peace on Earth

And Hank McD for President in 2044.  Uncle Chris, do you have room in your office for an intern this summer?

Skiing 2010

We only manage to fit in an average of 1 skiing day every year.  Our first year wildcard Lu, mastered the slopes as well, so we hope to increase our stats next year.

Gluten-Free Goodness

gluten-free brownie in a bag from Trader Joe's

Long story shortened: We are not gluten-free over here.  I volunteered to cater a children's party as an auction item, recipient ended up requesting gluten-free.  I went to Trader Joe's and gluten-free goddess school and came up with these gems.  Take that gluten!

roasted red pepper hummus from gluten-free goddess

Happy Birthday Heidi and Ho Ho Ho Brady Family

We really enjoyed our "Winter Birthdays Dinner" at June in Madrona with all our Birthday Girls this year; Jamie, Courtney, Malia and Heidi...but with Heidi's Birthday on the 19th, she always suffers the wrath of my Holiday Haze as I missed calling her on her Birthday again this year, by about 12 hours.  So sorry Heidi, I am a December deadbeat!  I love you.  And Ho Ho Ho Brady Family. I headed the giving tree family for St. Pat's lower grades this year.  Our family had 2 parents and 7 children, and yes their last name really is Brady.  Delivery set for 5 minutes from now, I will be a few minutes late in that too, but I don't think they will mind.

Hank's Pals

I mean are these some of the cutest kids you ever saw?  And they're just as sweet.  This is just a sampling of some of Hank's Pre-K classmates, taken today at their Christmas party.  I feel incredibly lucky that Henry will have a chance to grow up with these guys and gals.  Go Shamrocks!

Staging

Find this door,

 In this Seattle alley,

And you will find yourself a real treat.  57 gin, 52 bourbon, whiskey and scotch options, a nice little plate o' something and at most, 8 other patrons.  Do your worst people.

Oh Brodie

I'm sorry you ran out of food yesterday and had to eat some other dog's leftovers.
I'm sorry I forgot to buy you food again today and you had to eat a bagel and 12 dog biscuits for dinner.
I'm sorry I didn't let you out this morning until I got home from taking Henry to school.
I'm sorry for a lot of other things too Brodie, like your hair, picking up your poop and the way your breath has smelled since you turned about 7.
If I promise to buy you food tomorrow, will you call it even? 
I do love you, you old, stinky, hairy dog. We all do.

Eat Your Heart Out Latisse!

Lashman Henry

Deck Those Halls!

DS Does it Again

Mario Bro's, bringing siblings together one mushroom at a time.

Advent is Awesome

"The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important."

 

Gutter Ball Slide

Videography courtesy of Mr. Kelcey Mead.

Beach Bunkies Fall Silent

After recapping an episode of Caillou and asking eachother what they were going to ask of Santa for Christmas (I tried desperately and unsuccessfully to post the audio I took of this conversation...damn you apple, I think I need you), these bunk mates drifted off.  I have no doubt Brodie and Teddy were the first to fall.

Dear Santa

Henry ran downstairs to show me this today.  I love you John.

Bringing Bell Fringe Back

Thank God.  I can't get enough of those little velour balls.  Someone just had me make this Route 66 Pillow for an old man somewhere in Middle-America (probably on Route 66) for his Birthday.  Cute.

3 Dogs Down

Namaste.

Windy Weather Weekend

While John and I were busy shopping and golfing (deadbeats), Grandma Pati and Grandpa Al took the kids to the beach with them (thank you).  There are really too many good pictures to post, but these three capture what I know was a fun day because Henry is still talking about it and Lucy is still catching her breath.  There is an especially windy bluff off the main road, Pati and Henry had an endurance contest while Lucy and Al got back in the car.  I think this is a particularly fun Grandparent story to lock away in their memory banks.  Thanks for the photos Aunt Jess, I assume Gabrielle was promtly back in the car as well.  :)

Too Busy Shopping to Post

Not only have I been too busy shopping to post, I've been too busy getting ready to go shopping to post.  Came to Portland this weekend with my good friend Angie and her sister/my new good friend Nikki.  We have had more fun than I think we were prepared for. 

1. I have worn them out sufficiently on the streets of the Pearl, Downtown, NW 23rd, Sellwood, and Broadway shopping districts, being accused of hurring them along at a foot-aching pace. 
2. We've eaten fairly extroardinary lunches and dinners, complete with champagne at nearly every stop. 
3. We had drinks at a bar that I'm pretty sure was the spaceship enterprise where I ate a kobe meatball off the floor and watched people walk into mirrors: Departure at the Nines
4. We watched a model play with a giant white boa at Lu Lu Lemon on Couch St. 
5. We sung along to "I am 16 going on 17" from the Sound of Music in the car on the way to pick up my highschool friend Danielle for dinner.  She did not know what had hit her.  
6. We had dinner at the Best Italian restaurant: A Cena any of us have ever been to. 
7. We've eaten an entire box of vanilla wafers and package of black liccorice.

We were a Stumptown whirlwind and now we are going home, with some treats for our families and a few things for ourselves too.  This was seriously good fun.

Shed Shingles

New Kicks

"I can do Hong Kong Phuey jumps higher in my new tennis shoes than PF Flyers!" - Henry
Lucy's choice of sock states her excitement even more clearly.

Ooh la la

Just finished this mantilla-style veil made with antique italian lace.  It's the first one I've made that I want to keep for myself.  Lucky for the bride, I have nowhere to wear it, so will end up delivering it to her next week after all.

Messy

Yes it is Jessica.  Yes it is.  Thank you for this!

Duck Wars

This peaceful afternoon activity quickly turned to carnage.  I don't think the ducks are getting many visitors this fall...we'll have to get some mini SWAT uniforms and make a regular trip of it.

Lulu's Bed

Sunday was spent buying Lucy a Big Girl bed and all the fixin's.  She was so excited and had a pretty good night...a little wakey wakey, but not too much drama.  I never thought I would say this, but I love her princess fairy sheets.

0 and 1

We lost to the amazon girls of t-town this morning, but all in all it was a good game.  Our Coach is so amazing, all he said to the boys was "nice kick!" when we scored three consecutive goals for the other team.  We're so happy to be Shamrocks!  PS.  That is Henry's friend Walter on the right who looks like he is giving the other team the bird.  He just might be, I'll have to ask him at practice next week!  :)

Commitment Hours

I was able to knock out 4 of my 15 'commitment hours' for St. Pat's Harvest Festival Cake Walk this weekend.  This is the first time I've ever made chocolate or cream cheese frosting before.  Not bad, but I think I'm still a vanilla girl.  These are just boxed cakes, but I think a little flag goes a long way!

Renesme McDougall

John - "Lu, you look like you've been eating a deer!"

Lucy - "Push-Pops are my favorite."