December 18-24, 2011

Sunday

Playing around at a rest area in Eastern Oregon.

Then we went to Ninkasi for lunch! What started off as some snacks and a nice diversion from the road turned into a private tour of the brewery with one of the owners, pints of pilsner directly from the fermenting tank, and free Ninkasi t-shirts. It turns out that in the tasting room full of people drinking, the owner correctly identified the biggest beer nerds.

Then we headed up to Portland, where we met our awesome friends for Zoo Lights and dinner at the Washington Park Zoo. It was another welcome diversion from the road.

Monday Nothing today.

Tuesday

We decorated sugar cookies at Uncle Jon's.

Then we decorated the tree.

Wednesday

We went to see Santa. Emma seems to be the only one pleased about this.

Then we went on the carousel at Westlake Center.

We also went to Pike Place Market for lunch.

Will and Emma walking through Post Alley.

Thursday

We decorated Grandma Gail and Grandpa Bill's house.

Friday

Saturday

Christmas Eve at Grandma Gail and Grandpa Bill's

Riding back on the ferry.

December 11-17, 2011

Sunday

We went to Eric's birthday party on Sunday. There were stone bunnies in the yard and Evie wanted to pet them all. Also, we got her these boots so she'd have something at least slightly more waterproof than her Converse, and now she wants to wear them all the time. She brings them to me and goes, "Boots? Boots. Booooooots." And then she does a little dance once she has them on.

Will hitting the pinata at the party.

Monday

Something tragic happened on December 12th, apparently.

Tuesday

Lorney and Evie

Wednesday

Evie in her Meathead hat.

We went up to Gramma Jo's today. The ladies of the family were having coffee and discussing Christmas plans. We won't be in town for Christmas, but I came anyway because I like hanging out with them and Will and Evie like playing with the other kids. Before we headed home, Will and his great aunt Marla picked some tangerines for us to take with us. Some of these looked a little green but they're tasty and totally ready to eat. Lorne's mom's family owns a citrus and avocado farm in north San Diego County, so we're often sent home with delicious goodies like these.

I still miss Seattle, but I'm so thankful that we live close to family down here. I also love that Will and Evie get to frequently spend time with the people and in the places that provided Lorne with some of the happiest memories of his childhood.

Thursday Nothing today.

Friday

We drove through San Bernardino County.

Saturday

We drove by Mono Lake on the way to Reno.

December 4-10, 2011

Sunday

I don't think Will looks much like me, but sometimes I see myself pretty clearly in his expressions. He's had the eyebrow raise down pat since he was a wee thing.

He's decided he doesn't like having his picture taken recently, except for when he's posing with Thumper. Today he found Evie's little ladybug from her birthday, which he decided he liked because of it's "nice, friendly smile," and decided he needed pictures of the three of them.

Monday Nothing today.

Tuesday

Crunching leaves together after preschool.

Wednesday Nothing today.

Thursday

Running around where they weren't supposed to be running around.

Friday Nothing today.

Saturday

Lorne spent the weekend studying away. Will took his "computer," the book Corduroy, and took notes "just like daddy." It was pretty cute. I won't share the picture here though, because unlike Lorne, Will was going pantsless.

November 27 - December 3, 2011

Sunday Evie put her backpack on her arm like a purse and wandered around with an apple.

Monday Nothing today.

Tuesday Nothing today.

Wednesday We went to the zoo! Will climbed the sabertooth tiger.

Thursday Nothing today.

Friday No pictures, but we went to Lorne's MSTP holiday party. The owner of the house where the party was held had two Great Danes.

This not one of them. This is just to remind you that Great Danes are GIGANTIC.

Will was terrified of them. And I mean, why wouldn't he be? They were a head taller than Will. He spent the entire evening in either my arms or Lorne's arms.

Evie, however, loved them. Two Evies stacked on top of each other would not be as tall as these dogs were. She pet them. She chased them. She fed them her dinner. When they licked her face, she laughed hysterically. Evie is relatively fearless. This scares me a little.

Saturday We went to the North Park Toyland Parade.

Waiting for the parade to start.

"You're just going to let me sit here with my feet in the street like this?"

The highlight of the parade.

November 20-26, 2011

Sunday Nothing today.

Monday Bath Fight Club results:
Will threw a pink elephant at Evie.
Evie beat Will over the head with a plastic boat.

Winner: Evie

Tuesday This is one of my favorite pictures of the kids.

Wednesday We drove up to Gramma Jo's to get ready for Thanksgiving.

Thursday Thanksgiving!

Pre-meal spinning:

Pre-meal exercise:

Post-meal outdoors time:

Post-meal Gramma Jo snuggles:

Time for bed!

We all stayed at Gramma Jo's - Grandma Gail and Grandpa Bill came down, Uncle Kevan and Aunt Kat came down, and we all stayed for the weekend for some awesome family time.

Friday One of my favorite pictures of Evie.

Evelyn Monroe discovers the heater vent at Great Gramma Jo's house. She spent about 20 minutes standing on them and letting her skirt blow up, and then spinning and going, "Woooo!"

Will played some games with his grandmas.

Saturday Evie hung out with Grandpa Bill.

Then we went home and Will stole Lorne's glasses.