Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland

Piano: $500. Vintage sheet music: $50. Singing at the top of your lungs, suprfast and with spotty lyrical recall--priceless!

Okay, it's really Grandpa's old piano, and the vintage sheet music came from a thrift store. But the caroling really is the best I've ever heard.

 

The Yule Tradition-- Great Tree Hunt

Northern Lights Tree Farm--picture it on a crisp, cool December morning: kids bundled, stocking caps pulled low, boots splashed with mud...















The kids, conspiring to find Santa's reindeer at the tree farm...















Oh yeah, the perfect tree!

















Wreaking havoc in the gift shop.
 

The Boys

No, not the pink ginger boys... They've decided to take a little rest in Mim's Pack n'Play. Er, that is, her baby's Pack n'Play. 

Halloween Treat

 

Beer: Is there anything it can't do?

The picture that accompanies the story really has no bearing, the kids are hiding in what will soon be my new cutting table (there will be pictures of the new studio soon, I promise).

Our story takes place in the Southtowne Market of Choice. Scene, the beer ailse, Brian has taken the kids out to pick up a video and they've ended up in the grocery store. As Brian peruses the vast beer selection, he hears a little voice by his side saying, "Eee. Ess. Bee." Then, "One. Pee. Aay." Then, "Daddy! I can read beer!"
Apparently there was a guy nearby who commented with a smile, "Dude. That's pretty cool." My sentiments exactly.

Work hard, play hard.

Here are some pictures from Rod and Judy's visit last weekend. You can see the kids love storytime with Grandma Judy, and stayed up way past their bedtime to hang out. But the next day they got up pretty early and started work with Grandpa unloading a whole trailer full of wood they brought down, leftover from their old woodstove! Check out the muscles on those kids!! What good little "helpers" they were. We now have a ton of wood to keep that stove in the back room warm this winter, and plenty of kinlin' too. Thanks guys!! 

Double Fortune

Thanks to everyone who came to the double trouble pizza party last Sunday. It was our first double party, and logistically, I bet all of you up north loved it! We are probably recovered, and as of yet, haven't seen a single bubo blister on the kids from the germy ball pit of despair. You know it's a good party when there's no contagion on the toys...

Here's a few highlights from the pictures we got. If anyone else has pics of that event, we'd love to see them.

Esme officially turned two on Friday. Grandma Judy and Grandpa Rod came for a short visit, treating everybody to a birthday dinner at Countryside Pizza. They only serve pie as dessert in that establishment, but Esme made a birthday friend in a waitress who shared her cake with the kids. Thanks, Francis!!

More pictures of the weekend to follow.
 

Vinnie Ballerino and Tina the Ballerina

A little Halloween warm up anyone? Let's put on the tu-tu's... 

Paparazzi shots

Caught totally unaware and dressed for LAX, our glamour girl passes a pensieve moment... 

The Boys

The first of many pictures of these boys, I'm sure. These two guys will officially be ours on Sunday. They are brothers, and we are adopting them from Pet Adoption Network located in Albany, OR, although they currently live at a foster mom's in Eugene. We visited with them on Wednesday, and the little Siamese looking fellow was so caught up in the game he and Esme were playing that he climbed right up onto her head. Needless to say, she wasn't aware those were the rules of engagement. The fluffy gray fellow was a bit more stand offish, but I'm hoping that with hours of grooming, we can cultivate a soft lap pillow that purrrrrrs. They are both quite the glamour puss's. We will be kitten proofing the house all day on Saturday, and preparing the kids for the hijinks in store.

Studio Twinkle Makeover

Here are some pictures of the remodel in progress for Studio Twinkle. Aunti Nut came this weekend to offer some much needed help in the paint department, and of course to spend some quality time with her neice and nephew. Here you can see the tremendous amount of work that went into covering the mystery yellow paint and removing the country blue Levolar blinds. I started putting up some of the fancy dots too, just some wall decals I found at Modern. They match the fabric I am using for accents, I think there is a peek of it in the foreground of one of these shots.

Stay tuned as more wonderful remodeling surprises take place in the Studio... Did someone say get rid of that tacky carpet?

Speaking of new carpet, I think Esme is going to follow in her Auntie's painting talent, as you can see by the little paint footprint on my rusty carpet... With a sandal full of white paint after stepping in the full tray, she responded to her mum's question of "Does that feel good?" by wiggling her little toes and nodding. The rest of her painting career was spent behind baby-gate bars.
 

In Loving Memory

For Oliver, the Best Cat ever. We will miss you, as will anyone who ever slept on our sofa. You were a true cat of the people.


1995-2006. 

The Darling Visit

Here are some special moments from our weekend with the Portland Darlings. The babies were instant friends, smooching and hugging. Grace was a bit surprised to walk into a house where everybody seemed to know her, especially these boisterous little kids, but she soon settled into the rowdy play group and I think I even heard her say, "Eat my dust." After that challenge, Esme invited her cousin Grace to ride the ranch.
Esme and Grace got to bond further when it was discovered they had matching bibs! What a testimony to good taste and future friendship.
Poor Uncle Josh. I think he was forced from his bed too early. Here he is shown recuperating from an early morning with Finn and Ollie.

We had such a great time, and can't wait for more visits with Grace and company. Love to you all!!

Cheers!

I guess this was dinner one night. A high-protein smoothie, rich in banana, copious berries, yogurt, milk, Ovaltine and just a hint of Tahitian vanilla (oops!, the secret recipe!). Finn earned major points when he said, "Next time we'll make the smoothie with NO banana, Mommy. Then you can share with us." 

Baby Who

Little Who. I had to post this picture, what a sweet face.  

I am the Great Cornholio!

Enough said, really...

Yar, Matey!

Yeh'll be walkin' the plank into Davey Jones' locker. Yeh'll be fishbait, yeh scurvy land lubber. It's I, Captain Peanutbutter Beard, the most fearsome pirate to ever sail the high seas!

Now get in those shark waters! 

Early Morning

Post-haircut snack bar, hanging out in the pantry, what could be better?

Esme got some bangs cut, and as you can see, Finn got an all over three inch summer cut. Both the kids go to Salon Mom for their do's. 

Before and After

I've been asked to post some pictures of Finn's recent (and Mimi's first) haircut. I perused my photo files, and discovered we haven't really taken any post-chop photos yet. But I did find some really awesome (I think) pictures of the kids pre-chop. These are from a while ago, I think end of April.

I'll see if I can't get some good pictures of my new talent, barbering. It's easy. If anyone wants me to have a go, I'd be more than happy. No, don't run... Really... It doesn't hurt, ask Finn!
 

The Stinkeye

Caught on tape! The fearsome baby stinkeye. Don't get too close Finn... 

The New Park

Shades of summer today... Finn was very excited to wear his short pants, but objected to sandals because in the summer we only go barefoot.
It's been nice enough to enjoy the new play cube (courtesy of our neighbors down the block who traded up to a tree fort) for three days in a row! Needless to say, the babies sleep well...

Thank you to all for the wonderful Easter cards and gifts. The kids had a great time and we're still knee deep in eggs.