Music Room

Garnet and Lydia BOTH asked Santa for drums so... he delivered. And, Uncle Nick and Aunt Melissa gave the smooth keyboard. The kids are PSYCHED. They want to sleep in this music/wood room. Lydia said she was going to have a loud party and stay up past her bedtime.

Am I the only one laughing? Watch...

Happy Birthday, Garnet Ace

Garnet is 3 today!

MooMoo and Grandpa came to help celebrate this weekend filled with birthday, holiday and wintery fun.

Garnet (and Lydia) are now fully equipped for ski season. Garnet displays his gear and readiness right here.

So, of course, the cake reflects... Both kids and MooMoo helped with the design.

Making the Moose out of life! Thanks, Grandpa!

Maybe a little late on the Christmas tree? A clever birthday present? Just plain, old Christmasy fun.

The kids are so excited about skiing this year. Honestly, they could not wait to get their gear on and practice. Here they are (beyond impressive by my unbiased account) in our back yard loving it!

With Selene and Carlos

Here is a special entry for our lovely Selene and her son, Carlos. While I was working full time, Selene took care of Lydia from 4 months to 4 years and Garnet from 3 months to 2 years. We are still very much in touch with her (these pictures are from a visit this fall), she will forever be Lydia and Garnet's second (or first?) mama. You can see how much the kids love her and consider Carlos a big brother. They are (like) family. How lucky we were to find each other.

See you soon, Nene and Carlos!

xxxooo

I love how comfortable the kids are all together. Carlos is a wonderful loving, fun, talented young man.

Happy, happy. The kids truly do miss Selene and Carlos. Lydia and Garnet both tell some story of, "we did that with Selene..." at least a few times a week. She did so many fun things with them, took them places and they learned Spanish to boot.

Selene sent me these from the day she spent with the kids.

Garnet Singing Trot Trot to Boston

I just love this happy kid. He really knows how to embrace it all.

Lydia's Trick

I can't figure out how long ago Lydia started teaching herself this trick, I feel like she's been doing it forever. However, her technique, strength and frequency with which she "practices" has certainly become more professional recently. And, she's begun adding more/difficult elements recently as well. We literally cannot walk through a doorway without asking her to get down so we can pass.

Here she is at our friends' house. It's the first time they've seen her do this, Allissa caught it on her iPhone. That's Allissa's voice you hear.

Trying to Get Back in the Game

I know you've heard it before. I'm trying.

SO scroll around and check out the new stuff as YOU may be featured! These kids are amazing, happy, smart people. We're having a blast.xxxooo

June OUTSIDE

We had a great winter, but the warming weather was so welcome. It was nice to stop stoking the fireplace every morning and just be comfortable. And MooMoo came for a visit, which means awesomeness anyway.

Headbands and hoses. New band name.

Or Mud Garden.

Garnet's hit single would be "Happiness is my MooMoo".

Back at Grandma and Grandpa's to run and run and run.

Favorite tree swing.

Favorite boat, The Double Dolphin.

Lydia and Uncle Thor are truly a pair.

And check out this pair...

Or THIS pair...

Or THIS pair...

Jesse and Craig. These guys are always welcome and always wonderful. Look at this enthusiasm and spirit.




Like I said, best swing.

Back at our place, Jesse helped fell one of trees to give some light to our poor garden.

Lydia with Shawn and his cousin, Catherine. Shawn is a good sport.

And Trish is nothing but good fun. Lydia and Garnet absolutely worship Trish and Chuck. That's it, they would choose them over Chandler and me ANY day.

Helping our apple tee.

The old Saltine ice breaker.

It's nice to have a LONG driveway.