Look who's on two wheels now!!

Swiss Family

So on Thanksgiving we got a very interesting visit from our Uncle John's daughter (Christina) and her boyfriend...who live in Switzerland! We had never met each other, but Aunt Linda encouraged them to look up Uncle Dave while in California, and since he was with us at the time, we had the pleasure of meeting them and making fabulous plans for our trip to THEIR neck of the European woods someday. Her boyfriend spoke mostly German but understood English well. They brought us Swiss chocolate, which we let Cairo sample, and it was the first time he used the little sign language word we have taught him for "more." Obviously a hit with him!

Thanksgiving on a Ship

We had Thanksgiving dinner on the Queen Mary this year. The kids were enthralled being on a boat, although Staten asked why we didn't choose the Mayflower instead of the Queen Mary. We met Papa Dave and Uncle Myron in Long Beach and feasted to our hearts' content before exploring the ship. It was yummy, fun, and memorable.

Classic costumes

I just have to post these Halloween pics. The Scooby gang is hilarious and my favorite thing is Bradon's cooler than cool expression. As for Savannah, she took second prize in a costume contest in Sanibel, Florida (or was it in Ft. Myers, Dan?) She is a pooch to be proud of.

Twins

Twins separated at birth? You be the judge.

Not Pixie Dust!

This is a picture of one of MANY piles of dust the termites are leaving as they slowly destroy the exterior of our house. Everyone keeps telling me this is just part of living in a wood house. Seems like the house is going to be hollow if they keep at it at this rate! I do have an inspector coming this week so we'll see if he can work any magic.

Different versions of soccer

These pictures are from Staten's last soccer game. He did a great job, even scoring a goal in the last few minutes of the game. Windsyr's version of soccer was going on just outside of the boundaries and was awesome. She walked along in her fancy sparkly skirt and pink tank top, kicking the ball, clutching her purse, and tossing her braids. That's my girl.

November in sunny Cali

This is why we love living where we live. Swimsuits in November.

Spanish graduates

I just wrapped up my six week course of "Spanish for Kids!' I taught 28 students in 4 different classes ages 3-10. (OK the three year olds were a little young...next time, four will be the minimum.) I developed the curriculum from scratch and learned a lot in the process. I had a great time teaching, both because I enjoyed the students, and because I enjoyed immersing myself in the language again after so long. I'm due to teach Course Two in February, and I might start another round of Course One at some point too since I already have the curriculum done. I'm posting a few photos of my cute classes.

Kids, commandments and more

Kids are so funny. Today Windsyr and Staten were happily playing along when she matter of factly informed him in whatever game they were playing that she was going to kill him. Well before I had time to correct her extremity, Staten retorted with: "You can't kill me because it's not OK to kill people." Windsyr said, "But we kill bad guys." Staten said: "No, we don't kill them. We just protect ourselves from them, because one of the ten commandments says: Thee shall not kill."

Cairo has taken to shattering glass. One big glass dish out of the dishwasher last night, and a glass candle holder at Bath and Body Works this morning. He has hit the age of destruction and we are gearing ourselves up for the endless stream of messes, mishaps, and mischief. It is so interesting to watch his developing personality and try to figure out what he's going to be like. He is intense and observant and has much less to say than our other children did at his age, although when he chooses to be verbal, he's learned to be heard. He is an excellent sword fighter and makes us all laugh so hard at how he can hold his own in any duel.

Lights on Broadway

Just posting a few pics from Lights on Broadway. Thanks to everyone who went out of their way to see the show (in whatever stage it was in) and supporting Staten and I in our Broadway debut. Next stop: Big Apple.

Halloween Haunting

What do a ninja turtle, a cheerleader, Jack-Jack, Ariel, and Dumbo all have in common? They all have more candy than they know what to do with! Between Trunk-or-Treat, Trick-or-Treat, and various Halloween parties, these kids have definitely got the goods.

Testing, testing, one two...

Found the problem...

Ah hah, found the problem. I have three blogger accounts, only one of which I have actually worked on. When I logged in I was logging into an old account for which I never made a blog...hence my inability to access this particular blog. After some correspondence with blogger support we have corrected the problem and now I can update my blog.

This being said, however, in the short time it took to iron out this kink, I have designed an entire website to replace this blog. (Mac makes that really easy, by the way. It makes me sound cooler than I am.) Now I have to decide which route to take, so I'll keep you posted. Either way, we're back in the business of family documentation, so we hope there will be one or two folks out there who stop in for some cyber visits.