Wordless Wednesday - Details

Tahoe Getaway

Lake Tahoe: Visit this majestic location as often as possible. Our trip in January was wonderful...visiting with good friends and playing in the snow.

Highlights of the trip:

-Sledding...

-Emily making muffins with Lindsey and Braden (and watching her eat them...and getting that feel-good "mom" feeling knowing she was eating pureed squash and fresh blueberries)
- Sleeping. Although this did not make me the most fun house-guest, I caught up on some much needed z's. Thanks to our hosts for being so understanding!

-Restoring a calming hope to my vision of our crazy growing family. Hailey, a sweet six-month old baby, showed me that there is hope with two kids. Some light was shed on my worst-case-scenario nightmares of waking up 4 times a night to soothe a fussy baby, and then being expected to be "fun mommy" to a toddler starting at 6 am. Thanks, Baby Hailey, for being such a sweet and content child.

-Visiting with friends who are like family.

Battery-Powered Presents and Candy, Oh My!

Ladies and Gentlemen....let the spoiling begin.

Dwayne and Michele came to visit from Ventura, have a little pre-Christmas celebration, and to give Emily a doll that cries and some candy that she polished off in like 3 minutes. Thanks, guys. It was such a treat to have them, and are so thankful they drove to come see us. We hope to see you soon!

And, friends, please don't judge them because they like the Cowboys. Some people just do not know any better.

Christmas Tree Lane

Christmas Tree Lane, Fresno, CA: One of our favorite (albeit slightly overrated) Christmas traditions. Instead of fighting other cars down Van Ness, we go during Walk Night, when you get to run over people with your stroller and chase your two-year old through rich peoples' bushes.

Here are some pics from our trip in December:

Yay for new times with old friends! Thanks for coming, Chloe! Emily wonders if we REALLY think we are fooling her with this 2-dimensional yellow man in a red suit.

And I cannot leave out the Great Mud Incident of 2008. Shortened version:

Emily resists holding hands while walking.

Emily falls in mud.

Kim takes pictures.

Chloe laughs until she cries mascara.

Overall, it was another splendid walk down Van Ness Avenue, and one was definitely plan to repeat next year.

Fall Fun!

This weekend we had the complete pleasure of visiting our dear friends Lindsey and Nate in their lovely town of Sacramento. A short 2-hour drive provided us lots of entertainment (thanks, Emily), healthy conversation with adults (we lack this sometimes), and just plain ol' good times.

Some of our highlights:

• Ryan and Nate's first golf date (bonus...Glen joined them and brought cookies!)

• Broken Bowl (thanks for trying to help, Emily, but next time please don't slam Mommy with a pillow while I am carrying your cereal)

• Visiting Bishop's Pumpkin Farm and letting Emily pick a pumpkin and get filthy dirty.



• Sleeping in until 7:30 and waking up both mornings to Emily saying, "Mommy...poop. Mom...poop," and then letting Ryan get up and change her.



• Sampling another tasty dish to add to our "We-Stole-This-Recipe-From-Lindsey...Again" collection (Chili-Cheese Black Bean Enchiladas, in case you were wondering). I swear, if it weren't for your recommendations, Linds, we wouldn't eat!



• Enjoying Peppermint Hot Chocolate while walking to McKinley park to let Emily play on the really cool old-school playground.

This simple weekend getaway was just what we needed: good times with good friends. Thanks Linds and Nate! We'll see you in January for some snow action, and we'll have a Crate & Barrel Bowl in hand.