Happy Birthday Grandpa

Princess Photo Shoot

 Elaine knows how to curtsy?

 And Alida poses next to her hero.

 So precious.

So tomboyish...

Warrior Photo Shoot

The Moon in My Room

 Over the house in my room.

Um, stable in my room.

January 2012

The first ever request that I come and take a picture of them together.

Awesome.

The Dinosaur Museum

How December got away without us posting this one, I have no idea.

Wonder what she is thinking.

Chef

 All of the kids join me in the kitchen often these days,

but Nicholas the most.  We've got egg cracking, mixing, scrambled egg making down.

His newest skills are grating cheese and cutting vegetables while I'm putting things together.

It's kind of nice that he can work with me these days.

You would think the guy would put on a pound or two however.

He didn't finish that bowl of cereal.

He will always, however, finish a carrot or tomato though.

Gilrs

Already they are such girls.

The Economist

Me: "Your Uncle Brian has a job where he counts money.  That's his job!  He's an accountant."

Nicholas: "What?!  How can that be?!!!!  I do that at home for fun!"

He tells me now he's saving for college and to buy his own home.

Brothers

Memories

First Christmas meal in our Houston home.

There was a fire.

I put the three requested sides in the oven just in time to be ready on time.

When it started getting close, I opened the door, just to peak--corn pudding, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes... 

Instead my face was hit with smoke.

Door slammed shut quickly. 

Hmmm.

Opened it again, and that's when the fire flared up.

Close the door again.

Yikes.

The alarms blew.

And man, they've got everyone covered with alarms in new homes, everywhere.

Windows up, smoke fanned, children evacuated. 

Notice my dad eating in his coat while the windows are open to air out the house. 

Dinner was a little infused with a certain fire-roasted flavor.

But man, the sticky rolls I made for breakfast that morning--that had spilled over into the bottom of the oven--those were darn good.

Things I Find

Were we so clean and organized with all our things.

Aging Gracefully

Co-worker: "Oh, I see you got some highlights.  They look nice!"

Me: "Um, no.  Those are my grey hairs."

New Year's Day 2012

Whew, caught up now.

New Year's 2011

Christmas 2011