tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112189372024-03-13T05:46:01.957-07:00Do They Have Salsa in China?Our journey through life with the twinados (oh-so-energetic twin sisters), adopted from China in 2006.M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.comBlogger1474125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-91538866433310698882015-12-31T12:44:00.001-08:002015-12-31T17:28:52.641-08:00A look back at 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQd2trF_ruo/VoVxkvHMDLI/AAAAAAAAMh0/akEKviGvTi8/s1600/NewYearsEveRoys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQd2trF_ruo/VoVxkvHMDLI/AAAAAAAAMh0/akEKviGvTi8/s200/NewYearsEveRoys.jpg" width="160" /></a>Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a wonderful 2015. <br />
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Here's a look back at ours, which started with ringing in the new year at Roy’s in Pebble Beach.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Ree left, Ro right)</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJFZXDX1_NQ/VoVyB7ZdlvI/AAAAAAAAMh8/FCrgueAswQ4/s1600/DSC_3507LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJFZXDX1_NQ/VoVyB7ZdlvI/AAAAAAAAMh8/FCrgueAswQ4/s400/DSC_3507LR.jpg" width="263" /></a>Ro and Ree finished 4th grade in June and started 5th grade in August (summer is so short, but so sweet). They’re really into music right now (Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Adele, and Selena Gomez are constantly playing in our house and car), and they love singing and recording themselves on Smule sing, taking vocal lessons, playing games on the iPads with friends, and anything to do with animals (especially dogs) or art. (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ree left, Ro right, 1st day of 5th grade)</span> <br />
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We spent lots of time in Monterey this year – 2015 was very sandy indeed. </div>
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You always remember your first concert, right? Our diehard Swifties were thrilled that their first one was Taylor Swift's 1989 Tour. And Taylor did not disappoint -- wow that girl can put on a show! (My first concert, by the way, was the Prince Purple Rain Tour back in the 80s.) <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ree left, Ro right</span> </div>
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Tubadad woke the girls on their 10th birthday with a peppy tuba rendition of Happy Birthday and we had a family party on the big day. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Ree blue, Ro green)</span></div>
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Then we had a backyard-movie party with classmates a few days later. That was fun! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Ree white, Ro pink)</span> </div>
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October is always busy, but we managed to squeeze in the annual trip to Uesugi Pumpkin Farms with friends and some carving/decorating with the cousins, of course <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Ree white shoes, Ro grey shoes)</span> </div>
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Our 3 Musketeers had a most excellent Halloween. It was all for candy and candy for all! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Ree left, Ro right)</span> </div>
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The girls started band. They’re both playing clarinet. It’s… interesting… </div>
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They have also started playing tennis – weekly lessons are fun with their friends, and Dusty really enjoys being a ball boy, even though those tennis balls are too big for his mouth. </div>
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I took a fun <a href="http://www.lizzyrosephotography.com/classes/picture-perfect-phone-photography/">Phone Photo class</a> with my awesome sis-in-law Jane, learned some new tricks and apps, and got some great pics, even in the midst of an insane winter storm. </div>
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We fostered a whole bunch of pets for a local rescue group throughout the year. Dusty loved having playmates, and we loved taking care of the pups and kittens while they waited to be adopted. </div>
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In addition to lots of beach time in Monterey, we went on two big trips this year. </div>
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We explored stunning Niagara Falls and played at Great Wolf Lodge in Canada (with our most favorite people, <a href="http://catherineschatter.blogspot.ca/">Catherine and Hannah</a>!!), stayed on Mackinac Island where they have bikes and horses instead of motorized vehicles, and visited Ann Arbor where the girls enthusiastically hunted for fairy doors. </div>
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We spent a relaxing, warm Christmas in Maui where we swam a lot, made “snowmen” out of sand, and ziplined at crazy speeds through the rain forest. Mele kalikimaka!<br />
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Whew, that’s about it. Life is good. Happy New Year to all, wishing you double happiness from the Salsa Family </div>
M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-89445278454765736932014-12-24T13:10:00.001-08:002014-12-24T13:10:52.552-08:00Merry Christmas!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xqeXTTcxrvk/VJsr10Ty_wI/AAAAAAAAMVE/8TZxLgDc-J4/s1600-h/Christmascard_2014_anon%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="Christmascard_2014_anon" style="display: inline" alt="Christmascard_2014_anon" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rCKtWNU5gGM/VJsr2kVAb6I/AAAAAAAAMVM/NylDiT-ISbY/Christmascard_2014_anon_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="326" /></a></p> <p>Wishing everyone a magical Christmas! </p> <p>We decided on a Harry-Potter-themed card this year (mainly because we never could get a family photo with TubaDad’s crazy end-of-the-year travel schedule) so the girls whipped up Dusty's costume with some felt and a gluegun and we snapped a pic of him on the kitchen table. Now he's my favorite part of the card. Merry Christmas! Love, the Salsa Family</p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-47076802931979078802014-12-07T16:07:00.001-08:002014-12-07T16:07:47.686-08:00Nine years of Santa love<p>Give or take a couple…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qKyL0BSUtNs/VITryqIvYII/AAAAAAAAMUo/62uDJsuYYng/s1600-h/SantaYearlyMontage%252520copy%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="SantaYearlyMontage copy" style="display: inline" alt="SantaYearlyMontage copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I50siBHLAwg/VITr0q5u5aI/AAAAAAAAMUs/9aH_5jrCoDU/SantaYearlyMontage%252520copy_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="709" /></a></p> <p>Merry Christmas!</p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-81571523518957642592014-10-25T14:54:00.001-07:002014-10-25T14:54:15.443-07:00Halloween festival in the square<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-khv8--Ee1Y0/VEwcAmRc8oI/AAAAAAAAMUA/-Y77_775Rtw/s1600-h/Halloween2014c-2LR%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Halloween2014c-2LR" style="display: inline" alt="Halloween2014c-2LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dH0cNTMWPAE/VEwcBMKK1UI/AAAAAAAAMUI/-u_Nz3O6s3w/Halloween2014c-2LR_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="700" /></a></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-78621861918825244252014-10-10T13:23:00.001-07:002014-10-10T13:23:48.775-07:00Harry Potter fans turn 9<p>This week the world’s biggest Harry Potter fans celebrated their birthday in style at Harry Potter World in Orlando. Happy 9th birthday Ro and Ree! We all had so much fun celebrating with you. 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src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OdXfeTUy7Zk/VDhANx-a4TI/AAAAAAAAMRo/e7BMJlrGcns/LR-3853_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="400" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-COKq37BtFVg/VDhAOepYJ1I/AAAAAAAAMR0/yOfR0pevnbA/s1600-h/LR-3819%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="LR-3819" style="display: inline" alt="LR-3819" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iJ0n5bYqnOo/VDhAOsLx16I/AAAAAAAAMR4/vu6n_30cnH8/LR-3819_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="333" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JZW91TediF0/VDhAPI6gsnI/AAAAAAAAMSA/MqXHHcd4knM/s1600-h/LR-3825%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="LR-3825" style="display: inline" alt="LR-3825" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xLvhLq0G70U/VDhAPlLkkpI/AAAAAAAAMSI/4b3z4zLyHvc/LR-3825_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="333" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-88PC0D-qbVQ/VDhAQNF-TAI/AAAAAAAAMSU/K4As1sdpMJU/s1600-h/LR%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="LR" style="display: inline" alt="LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GgIfeGQuX5I/VDhAQxd-7MI/AAAAAAAAMSc/qQXIVFiO2fA/LR_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="500" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6KtomVhHvW8/VDhARVEg4aI/AAAAAAAAMSg/HeQyzsHORzc/s1600-h/LR-3848%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="LR-3848" style="display: inline" alt="LR-3848" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6hBEEL-KzW8/VDhAR5lpVpI/AAAAAAAAMSs/rC6EAZGxcec/LR-3848_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="333" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t42lRCXsVh4/VDhASYp9z4I/AAAAAAAAMSw/ujamdxtiyZg/s1600-h/LR-3877%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="LR-3877" style="display: inline" alt="LR-3877" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PBsD_fmSCOg/VDhAS2NeyoI/AAAAAAAAMS4/hnaIFY4e41w/LR-3877_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="334" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-etwidGzz98c/VDhATQRuHnI/AAAAAAAAMTE/LlGomAAka5M/s1600-h/LR-3902%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="LR-3902" style="display: inline" alt="LR-3902" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-caHUZa_D5uM/VDhAT2giehI/AAAAAAAAMTI/T0PyXGfi8no/LR-3902_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="188" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QdGjsHuhVG8/VDhAUeSLUQI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/06UgOD6Nrks/s1600-h/LR-3909%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="LR-3909" style="display: inline" alt="LR-3909" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OcmAOFjHj5g/VDhAU5AqD7I/AAAAAAAAMTY/CxkPumWDerk/LR-3909_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="188" /></a></p> <p><em>~~~~ <br /><a href="https://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/">The Wizarding World of Harry Potter</a> now spans two parks in Florida, Diagon Alley is in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade is in Islands of Adventure. The two are connected by the fun Hogswart Express train. We bought park-to-park tickets (the ones that included Hogswart Express) and stayed at the Loew’s Royal Pacific Resort, which was awesome. If you go, make sure to stop by Ollivander’s first to get an interactive wand so you can cast spells throughout the parks.</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-58905224742107742602014-09-13T19:39:00.001-07:002014-09-13T21:02:56.686-07:00Enjoyed a small Moon Festival in the park<p><img title="DSC_2093LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_2093LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RO51RBWifgU/VBT_vLiOWFI/AAAAAAAAMK0/gXiVpHI7IDo/DSC_2093LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></p> <p>We usually meet up with the local FCC group for our annual <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Autumn_Festival">Moon Festival</a>, but this year felt like doing our own thing. So the girls and I went on a Dollar Tree and Michael’s shopping trip for lantern supplies, then invited a few folks to a little park near our house where we all had picnic dinners, made lanterns, shared mooncakes and other desserts, and hung out.</p> <p><img title="IMG_3594LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3594LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-blacTo_aeo0/VBT_vqqLZMI/AAAAAAAAMK4/PpxkSzq2GbM/IMG_3594LR%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="192" /><img title="IMG_3593LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3593LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y2tTd8UcLT0/VBT_wONSR9I/AAAAAAAAMLA/0BFU_ilVjEg/IMG_3593LR%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="192" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_3595LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3595LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OhGiyWQ37bg/VBT_wTzjnwI/AAAAAAAAMLI/UrU4tp4YLB4/IMG_3595LR%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="192" /><img title="IMG_3583-Edit-Edit-2LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3583-Edit-Edit-2LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2xWEbPL8V34/VBUTb3G4TxI/AAAAAAAAMNM/P9tZBXIxSM4/IMG_3583-Edit-Edit-2LR%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="192" /><img title="DSC_2084-EditLR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_2084-EditLR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WynqGeZpaCI/VBT_xXSHhvI/AAAAAAAAMLc/kzI05TePwgQ/DSC_2084-EditLR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></p> <p>The night was a big success, with one tiny absence: The Moon! Did you know that the moon rises 30 minutes later every night? I do now... and will check the <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/moonrise.html">moon calculator</a> next time. </p> <p>Anyhow, if you want to make your own lanterns, here are the instructions Ro and I made and printed out for the kiddos (click and print):</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Oxdk-rG9Vto/VBUIeQT8XjI/AAAAAAAAMMU/l4qBdap576M/s1600-h/LanternInstructions1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="LanternInstructions1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="LanternInstructions1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z0FtVFh_vLg/VBT_yF1xw8I/AAAAAAAAMMY/ysJbSlkOR3s/LanternInstructions1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="214" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AeTcutNw9D0/VBT_yvNqqoI/AAAAAAAAMMk/ssO37hdTWBQ/s1600-h/LanternInstructions2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="LanternInstructions2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="LanternInstructions2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-po7TBK1boNg/VBT_zDj5SuI/AAAAAAAAMMs/vK40hKy1XgI/LanternInstructions2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="169" height="218" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ohDNIlKAT1k/VBUIgRVtwZI/AAAAAAAAMM0/S5TBQmCNcxc/s1600-h/LanternInstructions3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="LanternInstructions3" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="LanternInstructions3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cZHkecflHo0/VBT_zv64xKI/AAAAAAAAMM4/lihBiCl8iIg/LanternInstructions3_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="169" height="217" /></a></p> <p><em><u>We Brought These Supplies</u>:</em> <br />- Colored cardstock (2 reams, Michael’s) <br />- Stamps and washable ink pads (Michael’s has cute Chinese characters) <br />- Stickers (Dollar store) <br />- Bag of tinsel stuff from the party section (Dollar store) <br />- Staplers and extra staples (had already) <br />- Tape (had it) <br />- Scissors (Dollar store, bought enough so each kiddo had one) <br />- Felt Pens (had them) <br />- Patterned wrapping paper (dollar bin at Michael’s)</p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-68265912691802252332014-08-20T13:15:00.001-07:002014-08-20T17:40:32.519-07:00Big fourth graders on their first day of school<p><img title="Ro left_Ree right_DSC_2070" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ro left_Ree right_DSC_2070" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TFvONu5fvRw/U_UB5tX7jRI/AAAAAAAAMKU/iJfVOPvf6N4/DSC_2070-Edit-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="629" /></p> <p>Ro and Ree love school, but none of us were ready for summer to end this year. The girls say it was the best summer ever, and I have to agree.</p> <p>Wishing everyone a great back-to-school experience. </p> <p><em>PS: Just mentioned that the girls couldn't audition for the school play because it was the upper-grade play and Ree casually and without any thought for the extreme and immediate angst it would cause me replied "Uh, we ARE upper graders now." (sob!)</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-56061272532292133262014-07-24T09:49:00.001-07:002014-07-24T09:49:07.389-07:00Twinvasion at the beach<p>Always a treat to see these four beautiful, unique girls together and I’m always thankful that our girls have friends whose stories start with the same words as theirs: “identical twins born in China...”</p> <p><img title="10438950_789198474487489_4414133629081151698_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="10438950_789198474487489_4414133629081151698_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4BCDNwSnMuU/U9E48RcjJCI/AAAAAAAAMJU/qLEDtjLJloU/10438950_789198474487489_4414133629081151698_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="385" /><img title="10522449_788932557847414_6222786012176944713_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10522449_788932557847414_6222786012176944713_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_4c_ASYY9KA/U9E49Ql32MI/AAAAAAAAMJY/HAroxDcuqu0/10522449_788932557847414_6222786012176944713_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="191" /><img title="10433884_788932564514080_7527732353909967889_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10433884_788932564514080_7527732353909967889_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0Q1ja-p6BeQ/U9E499BY2_I/AAAAAAAAMJk/W6C_asN4hHs/10433884_788932564514080_7527732353909967889_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="191" /><img title="10456007_788932561180747_3745519458985026301_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="10456007_788932561180747_3745519458985026301_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wc5ts6hRA2c/U9E4-TjCjxI/AAAAAAAAMJs/gEm1RbTUenY/10456007_788932561180747_3745519458985026301_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /><img title="10487552_788723507868319_3446711410980274284_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="10487552_788723507868319_3446711410980274284_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t4GL7fvZoLQ/U9E4--nN6jI/AAAAAAAAMJw/iZS9fZUt79M/10487552_788723507868319_3446711410980274284_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="671" /><img title="10492420_788723487868321_5497942704495794133_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="10492420_788723487868321_5497942704495794133_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GEMapHCrpps/U9E4_v7x1nI/AAAAAAAAMJ8/F7CsE7EmOwg/10492420_788723487868321_5497942704495794133_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /><img title="10533714_788723457868324_8638138782653121001_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="10533714_788723457868324_8638138782653121001_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xEeTupQIRZ0/U9E5AD54FuI/AAAAAAAAMKE/pb4lSsTQ-Rw/10533714_788723457868324_8638138782653121001_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="335" /></p> <p>Happy summer to all, and a special thanks to <a href="http://www.nomoreworkthanone.org/">D2, K2, H2, and S2</a> for visiting us at the beach. Mwah!</p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-80848396762722335912014-07-23T18:04:00.001-07:002014-07-23T18:04:24.265-07:00Weird cookie mix at Target<p>The girls couldn’t resist this funky-looking box of cookie mix on our last shopping trip, and today was the day to try it out. Pretty fun to make – felt a little like playing with homemade PlayDoh. Ree did them almost all by herself and Ro joined in when it was time to color the dough. </p> <p><img title="DSC_2036LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_2036LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ppFujWdTTfI/U9BbkQOBPwI/AAAAAAAAMI0/OaqIWATp53k/DSC_2036LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1988LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1988LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uxNZATKhobI/U9BblF15LrI/AAAAAAAAMI4/to7FMDKx0SI/DSC_1988LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></p> <p>They taste great! And were good for an hour of quiet time. Win Win. Will definitely get these again.</p> <p><img title="DSC_2008-EditLR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_2008-EditLR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0I8n3yqPI6s/U9BblvDbZhI/AAAAAAAAMJA/I1zDODACO9I/DSC_2008-EditLR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></p> <p><em>PS: Two ways to tell the girls apart now – Ro has longer hair and Ree has bottom braces.</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-53004058213946358322014-06-27T11:31:00.001-07:002014-06-27T16:42:43.953-07:00Not one but TWO golden anniversaries<p>My folks and TubaDad’s folks both* celebrated their 50th wedding anniversaries this month! Congratulations, that is an awesome milestone and a wonderful example. (*Our parents got married exactly one week apart from each other and then had TubaDad and I one day apart. Funny, huh?)</p> <p>Ma and Pa were treated to an exciting weekend away with dinner at a fave restaurant and a night of NBA championship fun:<img title="10390053_781618688537748_2800547669226985658_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="10390053_781618688537748_2800547669226985658_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yCIG2XErCA0/U624e1kkjoI/AAAAAAAAMHY/HWwXox2evDY/10390053_781618688537748_2800547669226985658_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="377" /><img title="10462762_781621591870791_3086505652628022207_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="10462762_781621591870791_3086505652628022207_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7Q07V-IJOA8/U624f14jmTI/AAAAAAAAMHg/HAyp9ycWnM0/10462762_781621591870791_3086505652628022207_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>And BobBob and Wela were floored to walk outside and find their friends who had been in their wedding party back in the sixties. <img title="DSC_1894LRs" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1894LRs" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AWQG1cTrwnw/U624gtldrpI/AAAAAAAAMHk/4nEzsP5ysdo/DSC_1894LRs%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1896LRs" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1896LRs" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xD0eSoB6yrc/U624hPvld4I/AAAAAAAAMHs/UNbodin_amM/DSC_1896LRs%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1903LRs" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1903LRs" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k6hY2k9UoHE/U624hsb817I/AAAAAAAAMH0/V-dHjI3kvIU/DSC_1903LRs%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379" /><img title="DSC_1919LRs" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1919LRs" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xz3hX9fJ5xM/U624h96lr2I/AAAAAAAAMH8/2jTSR8VGnzE/DSC_1919LRs%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379" /><img title="DSC_1923LRs" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1923LRs" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NCUFbFAXB0c/U624ieYFIVI/AAAAAAAAMII/X4IyuZfYex4/DSC_1923LRs%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1971LRs" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1971LRs" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xeSP8A3ZgiM/U624jIDLfhI/AAAAAAAAMIQ/7HXubkFACTI/DSC_1971LRs%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379" /><img title="DSC_1974LRs" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1974LRs" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WLpPyNKZLeI/U624jlo8yLI/AAAAAAAAMIU/eElBflTC3v8/DSC_1974LRs%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379" /><img title="IMG_4226LRs" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4226LRs" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QYyo2vJ5QA4/U624xKwkU-I/AAAAAAAAMIg/RR8YOnIiGck/IMG_4226LRs%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>Good times! Happy golden anniversaries to Ma and Pa and to BobBob and Wela!</p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-81009175554347256142014-06-13T08:35:00.001-07:002014-06-13T08:55:35.020-07:00Let the summer begin!<p>Summer officially starts in this house in 4 hours, and we are READY! </p> <p>My job ends for the summer today (an awesome benefit of working in the same school district as Ro and Ree), the secret summer-kickoff buckets to surprise the girls when they come home have been assembled, the last school lunches for the year have been packed (thank heaven), the perfect-attendance certificates have been collected (these girls just don’t get sick), and they have taken their final walk to school for the year.</p> <p>It’s been a great year (Ree left, Ro right in both pics): <br /><img title="ThirdGradeBeginningAndEnd copy" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="ThirdGradeBeginningAndEnd copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IVDEyKBk5C0/U5se9AtlomI/AAAAAAAAMHE/EiOmQkljVQU/ThirdGradeBeginningAndEnd%252520copy%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="367" /></p> <ul> <li>Ro and Ree’s styles have definitely changed this year. During third grade they gradually stopped wearing skirts and dresses and switched to jeans, t-shirts, shorts, and tennis shoes. Ree made the switch a few months before Ro.</li> <li>Both girls grew a whole bunch (both in height and in looks). They are now 50<sup>1/4</sup>” – Ree might be a hair shorter but my measuring technique is sketchy.</li> <li>They still have separate bedrooms (although Ree thinks she’d like to share over the summer while Ro wants to keep her own room).</li> <li>They chose different haircuts, Ree’s is short, sassy, and cute and Ro’s is long and beautiful.</li> <li>They’re funnier than they were last year – something about their senses of humor (or maybe confidence) has blossomed this year and we regularly find overselves dying laughing over something one or the other says.</li> </ul> <p><img title="DSC_1792LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1792LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZTsdI7GfFX4/U5saJmY2QlI/AAAAAAAAMGg/Sdyt5fX-eHU/DSC_1792LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="629" /><img title="DSC_1865-EditLR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1865-EditLR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dsptOT8lFXs/U5saKWOLtYI/AAAAAAAAMGo/_tRLJWY72Lw/DSC_1865-EditLR%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1876-EditLR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1876-EditLR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cCO01UHA7SU/U5saK2pMnmI/AAAAAAAAMGs/A3TG1NSYjVo/DSC_1876-EditLR%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1815LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1815LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BX_TIrv5SM8/U5saLyv-tII/AAAAAAAAMG0/a2aY8AclUBw/DSC_1815LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="629" /></p> <p>Bring on summer!!!</p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-77716577208236591822014-06-07T11:52:00.001-07:002014-06-07T14:33:35.175-07:00Waiting...<p>Pop-Tarts and Carcassonne games while we wait for news of Uncle Bobby's <a href="http://www.sharkfestswim.com">race</a> and wait for TubaDad to get home from his latest incredibly loooong business trip (he went all the way around the world <br />in the last 10 days).</p> <p><img title="" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eKf-5mZhmDc/U5NfhcCHVxI/AAAAAAAAMGA/9cV0epE0Dx0/photo-2-Edit-EditLR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-34508090351019180012014-06-04T21:08:00.001-07:002014-06-04T21:15:03.815-07:00Temporary artwork (until the sprinklers come on)<p>Ro surprised me with her chalk art tonight. I haven’t seen her draw like this before.</p> <p><img title="DSC_1733LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1733LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CmkAKafN5-8/U4_tF9Y4K-I/AAAAAAAAMFQ/Ii3sHbuXuEk/DSC_1733LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1717LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1717LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6Tlv7dRM0Ns/U4_tG4vTq8I/AAAAAAAAMFY/u9wPqS7iov4/DSC_1717LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754" /></p> <p>“It is a normal human girl, who has just summoned a fairy. The fairy is making fireworks in the air. The girl is holding the fairy and is waiting for her to say something.” ~Ro</p> <p><img title="DSC_1720LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1720LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LcdF-3n7rVg/U4_tHkKkfAI/AAAAAAAAMFg/z-dKYVMOrLM/DSC_1720LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754" /></p> <p>Ree’s was also cute.<img title="DSC_1746LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1746LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S1Ge91CU7zg/U4_tIaxq0NI/AAAAAAAAMFo/RCLAIvcWW5g/DSC_1746LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1739LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1739LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cB3TFsYPg1k/U4_tJIeO2yI/AAAAAAAAMFw/aWcw5fff2pw/DSC_1739LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></p> <p>“My picture is a cute little doggie who is wearing a fairy princess costume. I added little details on the feet and the tail. Also, I made a little flower on the doggie's clothes. I wanted to make it cute, so I had the doggie stick its tongue out.” ~Ree</p> <p>Fun.</p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-64717695178288721042014-05-31T09:09:00.001-07:002014-05-31T09:09:50.781-07:00The long and the short of it<p>Walked out of the hair salon with two different looks. One wanted short and swingy, the other just wanted a trim since she wants to go even longer.<img title="IMG_4144LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4144LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-trLWzF8I81U/U4n-x-o7VqI/AAAAAAAAMEw/LYz3nHpNeO8/IMG_4144LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="671" /></p> <p>They’ve had different styles before, but always seem to gravitate back to matching hair.</p> <p>Ro had bangs at the start of 1st grade (which she started growing out about 4 minutes after they were cut).<img title="IMG_0381" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0381" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lGa3Nxk5swo/U4n-ybojgHI/AAAAAAAAME4/TdtSmfaK0P8/IMG_0381%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>And Ree had shoulder-length hair for a little while during 2nd grade:<img title="DSC_1058LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1058LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BIU8bQ8oMIk/U4n-zO8H1wI/AAAAAAAAMFA/2ofhmOUEJdU/DSC_1058LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="754" /></p> <p>We’ll see how long this difference lasts. In the meantime, enjoy telling them apart easily. ;-)</p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-16809142803776450702014-05-12T14:59:00.001-07:002014-05-13T08:33:39.677-07:00Chocolate donut in hand, toes in the sand<p><img title="IMG_2333-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2333-2LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9EIR4vRA22U/U3FENoHEKMI/AAAAAAAAMDA/4qW4Q20DivA/IMG_2333-2LR%25255B18%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" align="right" height="247" />That’s what I wanted for Mother’s Day, and it was just as nice as I thought it would be.</p> <p><img title="IMG_2372-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2372-2LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2Kf2C9vUlZg/U3FEOAp6s5I/AAAAAAAAMDI/ezHKOXX2RK0/IMG_2372-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="671" /><img title="10297595_10152296557811749_4560563212129886928_n-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="10297595_10152296557811749_4560563212129886928_n-2LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sX5pH3aLW80/U3FEOp5HWqI/AAAAAAAAMDQ/yx7thG22Hts/10297595_10152296557811749_4560563212129886928_n-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /><img title="IMG_2268-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2268-2LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mZZq5G_4H0c/U3FEPXyVAuI/AAAAAAAAMDY/cyyMKkV3teY/IMG_2268-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="671" /></p> <p>We like to visit this <a href="http://littlefreelibrary.org/">Little Free Library</a> on the way to the beach. We save the girls’ used books for this place now:<img title="IMG_2271-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2271-2LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5dpuwM1sGpM/U3FEP8IS9HI/AAAAAAAAMDg/onHER7mPEg0/IMG_2271-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>Tidepools always have interesting surprises. The hermit crabs at this one are always so dang cute:<img title="IMG_2282-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2282-2LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p9MBvAeF7Es/U3FEQhzuzaI/AAAAAAAAMDo/wTVCixNCa4M/IMG_2282-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>It was windy on Saturday, but couldn’t have been prettier on Sunday:<img title="IMG_2344-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2344-2LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MW1PexT_d5w/U3FERPVkGyI/AAAAAAAAMDw/aSkuYkxQXX0/IMG_2344-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>Ro made lots of sand tattoos, both girls designed a couple of sand princesses, Dusty was pretty chill under his mat/chair shade, and TubaDad napped on the beach with all parts covered (he was heading out on an intl bus trip and didn’t want to be sunburned). I plopped my toes in the sand and soaked it all in:<img title="IMG_2405-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2405-2LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VJxsd8gUgqY/U3FER6qPBSI/AAAAAAAAMD4/dbf-4VHHhww/IMG_2405-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>Can you read this tattoo?:<img title="IMG_2382-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2382-2LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s8aT7fwp9UU/U3FESWgkd3I/AAAAAAAAMEA/SdFvRkolVnM/IMG_2382-2LR%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /><img title="IMG_2408-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2408-2LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BWo-9d8_lv8/U3FES6ENY4I/AAAAAAAAMEI/4BUDHSfDUbE/IMG_2408-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="671" /></p> <p>Beach living can make you very nappy:<img title="IMG_2318-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2318-2LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4QOvf0bvQA0/U3FETlP2MQI/AAAAAAAAMEQ/KiWTXewyCIA/IMG_2318-2LR%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>We’ve decided that the restaurant with the best view in Monterey is the Fish Hopper. I don’t even know how many seals and otters cavorted by while we were dining. If you want to go, make sure to pop on OpenTable first and make reservations – then you can just breeze in ahead of the crowds:<img title="IMG_2323-2LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2323-2LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KLHtR0foQSE/U3FEUBnsv7I/AAAAAAAAMEY/4O84dsB2CWM/IMG_2323-2LR%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>Happy Mother’s Day!</p> <p><em>PS: It wouldn’t be a typical day in *our* life without a little chaos. While TubaDad was out getting a haircut on Mother’s Day, one daughter overflowed the toilet and told me AFTER the water was already spreading across the bathroom floor.</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-76129594692917723982014-05-06T12:36:00.001-07:002014-05-08T08:20:30.023-07:0027 school days till summer (yes I counted!)Summer vacay (for Ro and Ree and for me since I work for their school district) is fast approaching. And we can’t wait. Science projects are D.O.N.E. and so is our summer schedule with camps, travel, and just the right amount of hang time.<br />
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Come on summer!M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-25162692431659815912014-04-30T19:54:00.001-07:002014-04-30T20:19:49.716-07:00First blazing-hot day of the year...<p>...so of course everyone turns on the AC and the power blows in the neighborhood. It’s kind of an annual tradition. Along with our personal first-hot-day ritual of dragging out the trusty turtle pool and splashing away.</p> <p><img title="DSC_1578LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1578LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Oto1_uEDTLU/U2G3QfSGrGI/AAAAAAAAMAQ/gbbujp4kZj8/DSC_1578LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="629" /> <img title="DSC_1589LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1589LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6AimLRklBKs/U2G3QzFcMAI/AAAAAAAAMAY/T-PvEFdWzTc/DSC_1589LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754" /><img title="DSC_1592LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1592LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6z8Dkws6XDc/U2G3RZpZy7I/AAAAAAAAMAg/etjYXP5_K5U/DSC_1592LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1611LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1611LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HvAv0mVNT10/U2G3SI3a0nI/AAAAAAAAMAo/9G_Y7QgOYcg/DSC_1611LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754" /><img title="DSC_1634LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1634LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PQE97xIUX_s/U2G3Sqy9F_I/AAAAAAAAMAw/6zNNSF1-gPU/DSC_1634LR%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1633LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1633LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Gq4luXscRCU/U2G3THcHTEI/AAAAAAAAMA4/VQuC3_E44jI/DSC_1633LR%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1646LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1646LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-svtuLzu-cqs/U2G3TuH1uUI/AAAAAAAAMA8/-8naddgBWxE/DSC_1646LR%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="404" /><img title="DSC_1645LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1645LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hj8-V2azW1M/U2G3VQU-tkI/AAAAAAAAMBY/7az94siQzas/DSC_1645LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="404" /><img title="DSC_1687LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1687LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kAYutZparcc/U2G9U0moTyI/AAAAAAAAMBw/yfP1QGOPpOs/DSC_1687LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="404" /></p> <p><em>PS: Boy that turtle sure is getting small... We had him </em><a href="http://salsainchina.blogspot.com/2012/04/fun-in-sun.html"><em>since the girls were 1</em></a><em>.</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-33386490931035320892014-04-10T19:17:00.001-07:002014-04-10T19:26:25.032-07:00Spring has sprung<p><img title="DSC_1351-EditLR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1351-EditLR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p_ZNa-96HlI/U0dQi_W0vBI/AAAAAAAAL-k/aGQf9woNnlY/DSC_1351-EditLR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1356LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1356LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gWI1KmX4TBQ/U0dQjjktUNI/AAAAAAAAL_4/bqR8bEdNcWw/DSC_1356LR%25255B31%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="382" /><img title="DSC_1360LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1360LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zgJvLbB4um0/U0dQkACEaFI/AAAAAAAAMAA/Z6NPkAi1k80/DSC_1360LR%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="444" /><img title="DSC_1361LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1361LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V7_thcCYcz8/U0dQknpUu5I/AAAAAAAAL-4/anyFK9n8gKI/DSC_1361LR%25255B27%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="373" /><img title="DSC_1362LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1362LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I5gXIaM8u6E/U0dQk5lEMrI/AAAAAAAAL_E/wWW-zB_E-9s/DSC_1362LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1380LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1380LR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EfZiOT4PWjY/U0dQmsblMrI/AAAAAAAAL_c/jAwEzSvlFR8/DSC_1380LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1381LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1381LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g-4ggfcgYQA/U0dQnCP9FAI/AAAAAAAAL_g/PgASbjLhiIo/DSC_1381LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1411-Edit-2LR" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1411-Edit-2LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OgfZCC5iaGM/U0dQnm7LsSI/AAAAAAAAL_s/FwS_OHF0O18/DSC_1411-Edit-2LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></p> <p><em>PS: The second doggie is new foster pup Gina, who is avail for adoption. We’re calling her a doxie-huahua.</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-78308419760454624132014-03-25T19:57:00.001-07:002014-03-25T19:57:00.497-07:00Beautiful<p><img title="DSC_1247" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1247" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wbBquc-SjeA/UzJB-huI0xI/AAAAAAAAL-U/KDsysjLwe5A/DSC_1247-Edit-EditLR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-51799935051044179232014-03-11T19:28:00.001-07:002014-03-11T19:38:28.823-07:00We heart reading<p>It’s hard to beat the excitement of new magazines, catalogs, and library books all arriving on the same day.</p> <p><img title="DSC_1189LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1189LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zLWvQVmfkhA/Ux_GRg-k5BI/AAAAAAAAL94/ruaKm7GRNz4/DSC_1189LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /><img title="DSC_1213LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1213LR" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xm6qdrRjGrg/Ux_GSfyPBbI/AAAAAAAAL-A/MkDHJ7e75S4/DSC_1213LR%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></p> <p><em>PS: Ree was trying to explain how much her sister likes books (which is a lot): “Ro likes books like, um, mmmm, um, oh!, Ro likes books like I like shoes!” Heh, quite accurate.</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-39716855886349541992014-02-22T20:01:00.001-08:002014-02-24T18:38:47.680-08:00“I HATE relaxing!”<p>That is the funny quote of the week from Ree. It’s a great quote to describe our fun, action-packed Arizona trip to see my little bro and his wife.</p> <p>It was a great visit! We kicked things off with some scenic desert trail riding.</p> <p><img title="horsebackriding2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="horsebackriding2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UGxUglAjiNk/Uwlyl1fTE8I/AAAAAAAAL80/ksGq5dNL35o/horsebackriding2%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="671" /></p> <p><img title="IMG_1108LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1108LR" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oW7OTn57kYc/UwlymgQypyI/AAAAAAAAL88/t5IMRSqX9oA/IMG_1108LR%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="195" align="right" height="195" />Immediately after the trail riding, super-SIL Jane and I hit the spa for fantastic massages. As I’m sure all of my, ahem, mature friends will agree, that decision was <strong>genius</strong><strong>. </strong>New family rule: from this point forward, post-ride massages shall be mandatory for all adults.</p> <p>In keeping with the western theme of the day, we grabbed some grub at Rustler’s Rooste. That place is a hoot. Long-horned bull in the front of the restaurant, fun headbands and cotton candy for the kiddos, delish t-bone steaks... Yeah it was a hit.</p> <p><img title="rustlersrooste2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="rustlersrooste2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E9-C4g2QqgM/UwlynCHJk6I/AAAAAAAAL9E/XKqX9IwSXsI/rustlersrooste2%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></p> <p>Did a lot of other fun outdoorsy things, naturally. Hiking South Mountain, for one – dang, that preserve is just gorgeous.</p> <p><img title="IMG_1166" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xm0mJTn6F9A/UwlynnG-GwI/AAAAAAAAL9I/U51jdnf9jMU/IMG_1166%25255B137%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="275" /><img title="IMG_1164LR-2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1164LR-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H5vX-tUXg68/UwlyoOBg6jI/AAAAAAAAL9U/eQy1kIQFDlQ/IMG_1164LR-2%25255B37%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="422" /></p> <p>It wouldn’t be a proper family visit without some fierce backyard competitions. We started with corn hole and giant jenga:<img title="Backyard" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Backyard" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_pefBuW_97U/UwlyoteXC7I/AAAAAAAAL9Y/UanXkCpQl3o/Backyard%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></p> <p>And ended with late-night s’mores. Mmmm.<img title="IMG_1172LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1172LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mm4cs6t2Imk/UwlypPP_hDI/AAAAAAAAL9g/Z2ipUtMty_k/IMG_1172LR%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="395" /></p> <p>Thanks Bob and Jane for a wonderful time. We loved spending time with you in your beautiful desert playground.</p> <p><em><font size="1">PS: Thanks to Jane for the awesome trail-riding pics! I don’t have any of my own pics from that ride because my phone dropped in the toilet right before saddling up. Gah!</font></em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-45321240642864443962014-01-02T11:00:00.001-08:002014-01-02T16:38:40.270-08:00Happy New Year and hello snow!<p>We decided at the last minute to head to the cabin and greet the new year in Tahoe. There was just enough snow to make the girls happy with snowball fights, sledding, and lumpy snowman building, but not too much to make life hard for the parents.</p> <p><img title="Fotor010122384" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Fotor010122384" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_kn-Xz-PhfI/UsW3RBqbVDI/AAAAAAAAL8c/lRQGYEkkPhs/Fotor010122384%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></p> <p>New Year’s Eve was fun. Skiing at Sierra Ski Ranch during the day, a delish steak dinner near the casinos, and back in the warm cabin in our PJs watching a movie and eating mint chip ice cream by 8pm.</p> <p><img title="Fotor0101214855" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Fotor0101214855" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vrcWlWcZ5lQ/UsW3R9bva_I/AAAAAAAAL8g/QLrgNY7SPDg/Fotor0101214855%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></p> <p>It was a warm, beautiful day for skiing. Not much snow at the resorts, but plenty for our bunny hillers. We started off with puffy coats, hats, gloves, the works. A few runs in we had stripped off everything we legally could and stuffed it all in a locker. Ahhh, much better.</p> <p>The girls did a good job skiing – they’re getting more confident each time down the hill and will probably pass TubaDad up next year. That magic-carpet mountain-escalator thing they have now sure is easier than those sadistic tow ropes and t-bars they had when I was a kid.</p> <p>Sledding was funny, they’d bomb down the tiny hill by our cabin screaming and laughing the whole way, flip over the short edge and drop into the street, landing on their feet and throwing hands in the air with a proper gymnastics flourish.</p> <p>Happy New Year, it will be fun to see what 2014 holds for all of us. </p> <p><em>PS: I’m curious, was everyone else still awake and partying at midnight on New Year’s Eve?</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-42458820629222088982013-12-28T12:53:00.001-08:002013-12-28T12:56:42.266-08:00Christmas memories<p>The girls say we had a good Christmas. What makes it good in their eyes? Decorations, presents, family, staying up late, traditions, fun.</p> <p>On Christmas Eve, we always get together with family and friends to light paper bag luminaries all up and down the street at my parents’ house. How long have we been doing this now? Well I think since we were all as old as the “new” kids are today.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g94xuiuGJ0k/Ur86rQW-8KI/AAAAAAAAL7E/peuxNmWBits/s1600-h/Luminaries-000001%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Luminaries-000001" style="display: inline" alt="Luminaries-000001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ibU3zLbfm3g/Ur86VpFN_cI/AAAAAAAAL7I/Y20Pp9rVcBg/Luminaries-000001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="500" /></a></p> <p>Then there’s a mad rush to get everything finished after the kids go to bed. Ro is such a night owl that we have to be extra super stealthy.</p> <p>Christmas morning always starts with stockings in the big bed. The Rubik’s cube was a hit this year. I also think the difference in the girls’ outfits is funny – Ro showed up in festive Christmas PJ attire, while Ree popped out of bed in her fave purple velour sweats, new fingerless gloves from Wela, and shoes (she <em>always </em>has on shoes).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--W57yq7zeA0/Ur86sQiecsI/AAAAAAAAL7U/NXiMeg8-V2Q/s1600-h/ChristmasMorning-000001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="ChristmasMorning-000001" style="display: inline" alt="ChristmasMorning-000001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q6HwrVZxpXk/Ur86WL5WcCI/AAAAAAAAL7c/r6qlUyEuUI0/ChristmasMorning-000001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="500" /></a></p> <p>The folks make their way to our house around 10 and we start round two of presents. This year we made a hardbound book out of my parents’ antique car travel blog and wrapped it up. Fun.</p> <p>The one gift I wasn’t sure about – actually looked at them then passed several times was the biggest hit of all - Heelys! The girls have mastered those odd wheeled shoes and are smoothly gliding everywhere.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xCnhyRoZSSs/Ur86tzwIDZI/AAAAAAAAL8E/iZtlIrxXnJQ/s1600-h/Heelys-000001%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Heelys-000001" style="display: inline" alt="Heelys-000001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BAItEXGAYXM/Ur86Wiom4AI/AAAAAAAAL8M/AtqIj-rPBQs/Heelys-000001_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="500" /></a></p> <p>Hope your holidays were happy!</p> <p><em>PS: Click any collage to see bigger</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-9766694019232263922013-12-25T11:02:00.001-08:002013-12-25T19:50:31.840-08:00Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!<p>The family room looks like a tornado came through it. But in a good way, you know what I mean? The massive pile of gifts has been decimated, the Christmas ham has been eaten, and TubaDad and I have already had naps. The girls (who woke us up at the crack of dawn, hence the tremendous napping) are exuberantly trying to master their new Heelys. </p> <p>More Christmas pics coming later, but in the meantime, here is our card this year. Holiday hugs.</p> <p><img title="ChristmasCardFrontAnon" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="ChristmasCardFrontAnon" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r79X8FEgCjo/UrsrzcK5dcI/AAAAAAAAL6U/VCJRBpuBa5Q/ChristmasCardFrontAnon%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="664" /></p> <p><img title="ChristmasCardBackAnon" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="ChristmasCardBackAnon" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5Ysv0we4v3Y/Ursr0K65-aI/AAAAAAAAL6Y/GDNvqOQcbfE/ChristmasCardBackAnon%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="664" /></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218937.post-87476213853715847332013-12-23T19:34:00.001-08:002013-12-23T20:42:46.059-08:00How many toys do they have in ToysRUs anyhow?<p>TubaDad and I split up and took the girls to ToysRUs to do their secret Christmas shopping for each other. Ree was done very quickly and TubaDad called to let me know what she had picked out for sister.</p> <p>A very looooooong time and many laps around the store later I sent him this text, which really doesn’t need any further explanation, does it?</p> <p>“<em>OMG have walked the whole store and have the same freaking pink horse in the cart so far! Maybe she’ll see something she likes better... Good thing I had that 2nd glass of wine</em>.”</p> <p>Yeah…</p> <p><img title="DSC_0861LR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0861LR" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kKz2EBiqZDg/UrkA1dACJmI/AAAAAAAAL6E/5jQymcWXHQ8/DSC_0861LR%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></p> <p><em>PS: Didn’t bother wrapping them because as soon as they got home they whispered to each other what they’d picked, then screamed with glee. Twins, man…</em></p> M3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13775708069296721624noreply@blogger.com18