Christmas in the Time of Cholera

...or something like that. These are to be the enduring memories of Christmas 2008, because, for the first time we can ever remember, we were all sick on Christmas. Luckily Santa braved the bugs and climbed down our chimney to bring a little joy to the girls and boys. Don't believe me? Take a look at the Christmas Joy on Lauren's face as she waits with her bucket to come downstairs! Witness the Christmas Spirit invading Beth as she prays on the couch! And behold the advanced state of meditation Patrick has achieved on the floor! And check out Trevor, he's uh, actually Trevor's pretty happy. He didn't get sick until Saturday. Just in time to foil plans for his birthday! Yay!

Keyboard Kids

Dontcha

Dontcha wish yer menfolk were cute like we

T and his truck.  He's a climbing fool... who currently tries to sit in just about anything.

Cna yuo raed tihs?

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!


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Yes, I found this as a forum message of a FWD of a FWD of an email, but, still, I love it.

photo shoot

Last week we attempted the 'family portrait'... We contemplated getting pictures taken in our hockey jerseys... 'cause we all have them. But, after a very successful adventure to a thrift store where Lauren and I found the cutest outfits ever... we opted for another route.
And, since some of the nicer prints will be making themselves into Christmas presents for grandparents, aunts and uncles... here are a few from the shoot that didn't make the cut...

No Trevor... don't put that in your mouth...

The famous levitating red gift box!

Lauren "blowing" the kitty off that nice lady's head... Let's just say I'd never make it as a kid photographer... those people have so much energy, and the smiles... They were working it!

Just kickin' it

Mah name is Trevor, and I jus' be hangin' out, drinkin' mah milkie, and contemplatin' this thing we call life. If y'all be excusin' me, mah momma gots to be executin' mah diaper goblins and puttin' me down fo' some shuteye. Peace out.

new chair action.

Trevor loves using his new climbing skills to get on chairs. He's been in and out of this chair all morning.

Breakfast w/ Santa

Tonka Trucks Rule

Trevor uses it like a shuttle.

Kitchen Table Salon

Girls do funny things with polish, cotton balls, and giggles

Two Bucks

This was the morning of Trevor's first Michigan Game Day. Trev is now 1-0 lifetime and counting!

Also, check the new specs...

Happy Birthday Nana

Yesterday was Nana's birthday, and we got together for cake. Happy Birthday Gini!

And an update on the kiddos... Trevor is walking. He started taking steps a few weeks ago, but now he can stoop to pick up things, and turn around. He loves his new mobility!

Lauren is continuing to have a great time at preschool... and her teacher has many nice things to say about her. She is working on reading, and is apt to break into song at any moment. Most of the songs are originals, and works in progress. Here's hoping you all have a wonderful holiday!

Trevor loves plants

He's worse than Garfield.

nice day for a walk

Yardwork Sunday Morning

... in the 35 degree cold!

This weekend

In addition to the wedding, this weekend we also had Francie, Nick, Noah and Lucy over to watch the OSU game and make cookies. Messes were made!




Then we went to Brad and Emily's on Sunday for a pizza party. This is Lauren and Calvin. He didn't smile much, but Lauren figured him out and got some giggles. She's good like that.

Chris and Kelli Wedding

Jake, Uncle Dan, and Grandpa with Trevor

Lauren and Jasper

80 degrees in November = Zoo

Trick-or-Treat Night

Pauline Visit

We made Buckeye candies, and they were delicious!

Brian's Birthday

Yes, it was Uncle Brian's birthday, and Lauren painted him a picture at school. But, as is the case on blogs such as this one, the spotlight was stolen by Hannah, using all her charm to smile winningly at the camera as only a three-year old can, with a mouth covered in chocolate frosting. And, of course, the majesty of the spoon-on-nose trick.

Uncle Ryan: O.B.

Lauren took this picture of Ryan, who is sporting an authentic 1990 Portland Trailblazers t-shirt. Authentic, in this case, meaning that it's been his since then, not some thrift-store pickup. Making him an Original Blazer.

Y

Sunday, our neighborhood civic association and the YMCA sponsored a Halloween Party. Trevor did not know what to make of it all... and they were both HOT. Trevor left early for naptime, but played a few games with daddy.

carving it up

Patrick accompanied Lauren's pre-school on her very first ever field trip today... to a pumpkin farm... they got to pick their own pumpkin to bring home.  So, tonight we carve.  Lauren wanted to carve a vampire... you know, the guys who are really spooky and live in a castle with blood dripping and are really nice (I'm paraphrasing a bit).
Patrick creating the work of art.
I was given the task of making a witch for Trevor... who was already in bed for the night.  I think her nose might be a smidge large.
Viola!

Gracious...

Well, it's been almost 2 weeks. What can I say? We got the camera back, but haven't hooked it up to the computer yet.

Let's see. Pauline came to visit for another weekend get-a-way... we had fun making Buckeyes. This past weekend we took Lauren and Trevor to the YMCA / Forest Park Civic Association Halloween Party. Lauren wore her unicorn costume, and Trevor was a cow. We have another costume for Friday, but Lauren insisted she didn't want to wear that one to the party... she's holding out for the "real Halloween".

Hopefully we'll actually post pictures soon.
Over all, things are good. Our furnace is currently blowing cold air (or it would be if it were still turned on), so hopefully that will be remedied soon.

Selby Park afternoon