December 21, 2008

Solstice fun, welcoming the sun with S'mores

December 19, 2008

Guitar Hero III for two, anyone?

Today, the boys received an early shared Christmas gift -- a second guitar for Guitar Hero III. Just a little something to relieve the wrapped-gift angst of the week before Christmas, and they are very happy campers!

December 17, 2008

Today started with cookie making. Earlier in the week, we received a plate of cookies from our realtor. Dan discovered the mint pinwheel cookies and wanted the recipe. I made and colored the dough last night, then chilled it overnight.

It was just like play-doh time --
breaking up each color into 4 parts, then rolling them out.

Then twisted together ....

Sliced, flattened and sprinkled with sugar, ready for the oven.

They are very yummy cookies - so minty your mouth is cool when you eat one, and very pretty, too!

December 16, 2008

I spent much of yesterday concerned this would be my last picture with this camera. Right after I took it, I stepped into this enormous hole the kids dug in the yard last year, now filled with snow. I dropped the camera in the snow. Brushed off all the snow, but little bits of water were trapped behind the lens. It wouldn't focus, so it wouldn't take pictures. Then my sweetie suggested using the blow dryer on the camera lens. It worked, and my camera works again!!

On my windowsill this morning. We often let the cat in thru our bedroom window. Last night he was out in the snow and left these plaintive signs he wanted to be inside where it's warm.

December 15, 2008

Second snow.... same fence post as the first snow, almost 2" this time. It's been snowing lightly all day, and very cold. At least by Desert Southwest standards!

December 10, 2008

What happens when I take a bath and leave the boys to entertain themselves?
Last night it was fort building.

Front view

The view that greeted me as I entered the living room.

Fort construction materials included a clothes-drying rack, 2 bedsheets, 3 dining chairs and the living room couch.

December 9, 2008

First snow -- isn't that little star-shaped flake so cute?

Dan -- those are tiny snowflakes near his face

Andy on the trampoline in the snow

December 3, 2008

We went to the River of Lights show at the Botanic Gardens -- lots of beautiful light displays.

December 4, 2008

Dan
I'm not sure when this was taken. I found it on the camera while downloading newer pictures. I love Andy's smile in it, tho!

November 25, 2008

Sunrise

too big for only one picture

I'd not been up long today when I noticed the air was pink! A sunrise so vivid I had to step out into the cold to take pictures.

This photographer would like to remain anonymous

November 22, 2008

Lacing up the new blades to show Dad

November 20, 2007

The last hold-outs -- all three of them!

Those who went before

We still have some trees with leaves here -- green ones, even. On Sunday, tho, the Mulberry's dropped their big, green leaves en masse so truly fall is here. Some leaves are more stubborn than others, I guess.

November 16, 2008

Sylvia

How we completely enjoyed our day! 5 very happy boys, 3 happy Moms one goofy dog.

November 15, 2008

Dan


Dan loves to take pictures with my camera. Lately his favorite subject is our dog, Lia. She's very fond of Dan, tho in truth, she's hopelessly devoted to me. Her most recent evidence of this devotion is that she climbed thru the bathroom window -- after using her shoulders to push it open (scratching the frame with the bolt lock) the 10 inches necessary for her to squeeze thru. And once she's thru the un-screened window, she has to make her way down an 8" deep ledge, over a cafe table and onto the rocks below, avoiding the pinon tree. All so she can be standing in driveway to greet me when I drive up! I'm pretty sure I've never been the object of such adoration before now.

November 13, 2008

look at that hair!

November 7, 2008

We finally received our museum membership card yesterday, so we spent the afternoon at Explora!

The boys had a wonderful time!

El Dia De Los Muertos

We saw the El Dia De Los Muertos celebration and parade today in the South Valley, and it was a lot of fun.

This is my favorite float. You can't see it here, and I didn't get another shot, but the figure is two-sided with a sad face on the other side. She rotated with the movement of the wagon. It's just beautiful!


Before the parade, the boys discovered a playground toy that was the most fun -- especially for Andy who loves to spin! It's a seat on a pole that rotates as you shift your weight. Both boys enjoyed it, but Andy was picking up g-force at his speed!


Here's Dan on it, too. You'll notice he wore his very best clothes to honor the dead....

October 9, 2008

October 8, 2008

A pink house balloon at the Fiesta.

Dan, Gary & Andy at the Balloon Fiesta

October 6, 2008

baseball at the park

October 5, 2008

September 20, 2008

Andy, watching Clan Tynker at the Santa Fe Renaissance Fair. He so loves their shows. And his ability to completely suspend disbelief and just live the moment.... I'd love to be able to do that as easily as he does, and just. live. this. moment.

September 15, 2008

Andy and Eliza regularly play their DS games together at park day, or the farm, or anywhere else we hang out with the tribe.

September 14, 2008

August 31, 2008

We visited a local shoreline park in Mountain View with the grandparents. We spent an hour on a pedal boat -- no pictures, but it was lots of fun and involved several chinese fire drill- style seating changes. Afterwards, we walked the path to a playground, where the boys played in the sand, we walked over to look at the bay, and had ice cream.

Later that day, we had a surprise birthday party for Gary's Mom at a cousin's home in San Jose. Again, no pix, tho my father in law took some. I'm sure they're on the way to us by mail now!

August 30, 2008

Sylvia

In the water

Dan preparing to body surf

Time to go home. Not exactly Baywatch, but the cutest trio I saw on the beach that day -- or any day!

At the recommendation of several friends and family, our beach day was spent at Santa Cruz. First, tho, we had a wonderfully drive on winding, narrow roads thru the mountains to satisfy Gary's need for a fun drive.

The boys loved the beach. Andy spent about 3 hours in the water. Dan learned to body surf and fed a sea gull. We saw sea lions at both Fisherman's Wharf and the pier at Santa Cruz beach.

This is the closest I got to the ocean. It was only about 78 degrees out, just not warm enough for me to want to swim, tho I did get wet to my knees as the surf crashed in while I took photos.

August 29, 2008

Sylvia



We spent the day in San Francisco. We saw Fishermans' Wharf (Pier 39), Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum (a huge hit with the kids -- filled with the strangest stuff you ever imagined, only stranger), drove up and down some very steep streets, which made me nervous (which the kids found hilarious!), and drove down Lombard 'the crookedest street in America' which is downhill only and all hairpin turns. At the bottom of Lombard street, just as I've recovered from the very steep downhill, people are standing in the street taking pictures of hill -- more obstacles to make me nervous! Thank goodness Gary was driving!

August 28, 2008

These photos are all from our vacation to California, to surprise Grandma for her 80th birthday.

Gary

Grandma hugging Dan -- a rare treat!

Gary

Here she's hugging Andy -- and very surprised!

Andy

Me & Gary at the park that afternoon

Dan

Dan
Dan told me it was a 'foot' theme.

Sylvia
Sylvia
Sylvia