I'll be home for Christmas

First flight for David was an eventful 5-hour wresting match. Of course, we won by sheer force, determination and brainpower. Overall he was a trooper and handled no real naps and a LONG trip really well, but we're glad not to be making that trip again until....June 13, which is not long off. Looking out the window placated him for all of 26 seconds before he started squirming and screeching. Yes, he's a screecher.

Teya was an angel, as usual, though the novelty of flying on an airplane wore off quickly, and we were forced to begin pulling out the airplane Christmas presents in the course of the first hour. A slinky (yes, they're still as great as when we were kids), a mini magnadoodle, one of those awesome 4-color pens. When the wonder of new toys wore off, we pulled out the i-pod, on which we had downloaded 37 Sesame Street episodes. What did our parents do with us on long trips other than let us roll around in the backseat without seatbelts or carseats?

I'm it

So my college buddy, Elizabeth "tagged" me on her blog. This is new to me, and I have no idea if anyone actually reads this blog, but here goes.

I believe I'm supposed to tag someone else who has a blog and who might possibly be reading my blog. Once again, another stretch.....just in case, I tag:

1. Anna Leggo-Reithmeier (see you soon, Anna!)
2. Sarah Hager
3. Rachel Jimenez
4. Holly Welch
5. Amy Tolson

The tag is to share 6 unique things that make me happy, aside from the usual.

1. Time with good friends....we spent this evening with Amy and Clay Tolson, and it was soooo fun and refreshing to be with them and their small army of 3. We always come away from evenings like tonight resolved to put forth the effort more often because it so fills up our hearts!

2. Eveningtime, just before bedtime when my kids have the gigglies and just want to play as a family.

3. Gardens.... The butterfly garden at the Chatt. Aquarium is a balm to my soul. Unfortunately, my Teya has the attention span of a 2 1/2 year old so we don't spend much time in one place.

4. Vancouver in summer....mmmmm....love it, love it, love it. Long walks by the water, hikes in the mountains, picnics on the beach into the long evening, visits to Pender Harbor, the drone of fans keeping the inside world cool WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING.

5. Experiencing life's firsts again through my childrens' eyes.

6. Brisk walks, with or without the kids (without is even better)!

All things Fall....

This past weekend, we were invited to a birthday party. This was not just any birthday party; it was an EXTRAVAGANZA for Nancy's great-grandson, Usher Raymond, V (Cinco)! Nancy affectionately calls our kids her "vanilla" children, and she wanted them to meet and mingle with her "chocolate" kids, one of whom happens to be the hip-hop musician, Usher. Daddy and Teya enjoy one of the massive inflatable slides under the big top.

Teya DEVOURED her very first cotton candy. Her lack of restraint left her covered in sticky, slimy purple sugar. She certainly enjoyed herself and the sugar held on the entire way home from Atlanta!

Other Fall notes.....

A new swingset for the kids.....David, the swinging boy

Beautiful sights.....The splendor of fall on display in one of our backyard maples....I'm now spending afternoon naptime raking up the golden carpet before it kills all of our grass!
Halloween.....Four little munchkins, all ready for "Boo in the Zoo!" The cousins scavenged as much candy as they possibly could, Teya clung to Nina in terror of Scooby Doo, and David slept comfortably in the mei-tai. Teya loves her poodle skirt dress that I found at a consignment sale for $4, and David's pumpkin is the one donned by all 4 cousins for their first Halloween.