A Few More Pictures from "Children's Day"

A rare picture of everyone together.  The mommies are relieved and happy that it is time to go!

Oatmeal

I have found the way into Sophie's heart: oatmeal. It's not that she's not a morning person, it's just that, like the rest of us, she doesn't like to be awoken from a deep sleep and rushed through her morning routines. Usually, there is a decent amount of protesting/crying in our house from 6:30 am until 6:50 am, as this is the time when I wake Sophie up, dress her, and try to talk her into to eating something. But this week, all of that changed. I found the answer to our peaceful morning prayers in oatmeal. Sophie loves the stuff and will happily be hauled out of her crib for a nice warm bowl. She even spoons any oatmeal remnants out of her bib after her bowl has been emptied.

Goats and Sea Lions

We went to the zoo today with the rest of LA. I guess we all had the same idea. We didn't cover too much ground due to the crowds and Sophie's desire to walk, but we did make it to the petting zoo (We haven't forgotten about our goats, Daddy!) and to see the sea lions get fed.

Kettle Corn

Since we go to the zoo so frequently, I have had to set up some guidelines for Madeline; she is aloud to have one treat. The treat can be a ride on the train or something special to eat or drink. For the last 3 visits, her treat has been the same thing: kettle corn. Of course, she shared with Sophie.

Sunday Entertainment

On Sundays Kent monopolizes our television and laptop computer with his football game stuff for about twelve hours.  The girls and I try to entertain ourselves with other things.  This Sunday we spent some time painting with watercolors.  Sophie had fun and did really well.

Election Day: November 4, 2008

Kent and I took the girls to the polls with us to vote today. It was cool and blustery out, perfect November weather. 


Maddie with Mama's sticker and a mouthful of goldfish crackers. I hope she will remember her civics lesson:

Sophie preferred Daddy's arms to the stroller on the way home. She was unimpressed with his sticker:

Halloween, the AM

Madeline wore her Dorothy costume to school for a Halloween parade. Although I had to work, Kent took the morning off to watch the school festivities and to take pictures for Mama.  Thanks Daddy!  How adorable does she look?

Halloween, the PM

Trick-or-treating was a great success! Both girls really got into it, and now have pumpkins full of candy to nag me about at nauseam. Madeline was Dorothy, and Sophie went as a princess. I couldn't get her to wear the tiara, but other than that, no complaints!

Pumpkin Carving, 2008

This year's jack-o-lantern was completely designed by Madeline. It turned out too scary for Sophie!

My Birthday

For my 34th birthday I got everything I've always wanted; colds and sore throats for the whole family! In lieu of going out, we hunkered down to watch the Titans win Monday night football with some Chinese carryout and chocolate cake.

About to receive my birthday kisses:

A little after dinner dancing:

Friends

A couple of "borrowed" pictures from today of me and some of my favorite people. Thanks Louis and Jenny for a lovely afternoon!

Jonas Turns 1!

Jonas, his family, and some adorable cakes:


Daddy helps Sophie with her "S" cupcake:

Milo and Sophie discuss "old times," like when they were turning one . .

Milo getting way too big!

Me and my "baby"

Maddie (with her friend Andrew) making a mess, as always:

Last Sunday

It seems that I am about a week behind lately. These pictures are from our third trip to the pumpkin patch last Sunday. We went with our friends Andrew and Alexis.

Football Sunday has been markedly quieter at our house this season:

The Marek Fire

Monday's Marek fire was really close to where I work. And although many of the schools near mine were closed, mine was open. So, off to work I went commmuting directly into the plume of smoke and fire. I had a sore throat and a massive head ache by the end of the day.

This picture was taken about 7 miles from my work:


This was about 4 miles from work:


Here, I am right in the "thick" of things, less than a mile from work. It is normally super light and bright at this time of the morning, but as you can see, it looks more like night.