Grandpa song

This was Grandpa's Christmas present, composed of things Daphne's says about her Grandpa and arranged into a song by Pete and Rosie. The beginning of the "human ball" line (a wrestling game they play)got chopped out in the editing. She added the extra "rounds" at the end on the spur of the moment.

Snow days, etc.

Most of you (The 3 of you? Anyone out there???) that follow our blog know that we've had the biggest snow storm Portland's seen in 40 years, which lasted about a week and a half. Here are a few images from the week or so before Christmas.

Snow storm, Phase 1

Phase 2, out same window.

Daphne did finally venture out into the "crinkly" snow before Phase 2 hit.


Looking at icicles.


Assorted and buried picnic furniture and *embarrassed sigh* upside-down kiddy pool.

We've got the chains on and we're headed out - yipee! And we only spun out twice!

Lunch

Playing in the toy aisle at Fred Meyer.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Daphne! (and Pete!)

Daphne turns 3!


James helped Daphne open her presents.

Pete got to open some presents too.

Daphne had asked for paints for her birthday. Here's neighbor Jude and Daphne giving them a test run.


Daphne painted a smiley face.

A Daddy Snow-Day

While Rosie was at church choir this morning I tried to get the kids to frolic in the snow. Unsuccessfully. Particularly humorous are Daphne's protests that the snow is "too crinkly," and the look on James' face at the very end as I take him outside. Enjoy!


Hi, this is Rosie now. I wanted to put up a couple pictures from when they finally did get outside.


Poor Daphne.

Deck the Halls/Mantle!

I think we're supposed to have a giant TV in this spot, from what I can tell. But we've found it's a nice place to keep our little garage sale tree from when we first got married. We're definitely getting our money's worth out of that thing. We like it.

This is a beautiful Advent calendar my mother-in-law gave me for an early Christmas present. Daphne looks forward to putting a new character or object in the scene each morning. It's amusing to see where she chooses to place each one. Right now, Joseph, a wise man, and a sheep are kickin' it in the stable, while Mary seems to be banished to the far bottom corner. I'm sure Daphne's got a vision for the whole thing... Anyway, it will be interesting to see where Baby Jesus ends up.

Zoo Lights

We went to Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo last night. This was our second year; last year James was just over a month old! Last year Daphne thought the lights were on the real animals, a totally understandable assumption for a two year old. I think she understood a bit better this year.

Thanksgiving

Here are some scenes from this year's gathering.










So much to be thankful for!

James Baptized

Earlier this month, our little guy James was baptized. He was a good boy in front of the church, and we'd like to think it's because we are such good parents. The truth is he was so relieved to not have be in the nursery that he was game for anything! Here's some pictures of the event.

I had to hop down from the choir.

James aghast at the fact we handed him off to a stranger AND took his sippy cup (click on photo to get the full effect).

He recovered.

Advent Conspiracy

I've been thinking along these lines for awhile now but I've been very wishy-washy. Seeing this helped solidify my thoughts. I thought it was worth passing along. Not a new or earth-shattering idea, but a worthwhile one nonetheless.
-Rosie

Snake Charmer

In Pete's defense regarding the recorder:
1. Its actual range of notes is fewer than what he's playing, so he's "faking" some of them.
2. It is missing a piece.
3. It is from the Dollar Tree.
4. It came in a pack of 2 (see #3).

Birthday - 8 X 3!

Last weekend we had a 3-year birthday party for all the kids in Daphne's weekly playgroup/my mom's group. Daphne and I have been a part of this group since she was 3 months old, and all eight kids' birthdays are within a month and half of each other. In the past three years, five of us moms have had a "second round" of babies, and two more are currently pregnant. I'm so fortunate to have been able to raise my kids along side this wonderful group of women. This was a chance for all eight families to get together and catch up.

We rented a room at a local rec center and brought our own lunch, cake, and entertainment.

Daphne doesn't like frosting.

James ate that whole pizza crust. And then another one.

Three-year-olds being encouraged to beat something with a baseball bat:


The looks on their faces as we yelled, "Harder, harder!" were priceless.

Autumn Leaves

We caught the last day before the rains came, and just as the mulching machine was coming out to pick up the leaves at Cook Park. Here's some good old fashioned fall fun.