Paint

Neat image Mel made using MS Paint.

Questions

Out of the blue Melina hits us with some tough questions. Today at dinner Mel asked "Why are we alive on this earth?" and "Why do we have ages?". Also, "Why did you want to make more of you?" about why we had kids.

Thanksgiving 2009

The morning started out with the Gobble Jog. A lot of Mel's friends from preschool were there.


My plan was to shoot the start of the race then zip over to the finish line to shoot the finish. I got the start but did not make it to the finish. Mel (blue hood peeking out of white shirt) made a cut on the inside of the turn then took off on the straightaway. The girl has legs!


Leo masterfully carves the turkey under the watchful eye of a butterfly. The secret to a well-cooked turkey, we've learned, is neglect. No basting or fussing. Just stick the thermometer in the right place. Just like child-rearing actually.


This photo is for Tota Janna.


This year we ate in the kitchen. Max fell asleep and missed the big feast.


Melina shoots Leo.


They love their cousin Leo! He is old enough to be their father.

Birthday at the Cabin

We camped out for Jojo's birthday at Chris and Paula's cabin.

Dogs love it when kids eat.


Lovely sunset.


Jim making a margarita for Mia, who can barely sit still with anticipation.


That cake was on fire, both literally and figuratively.


Our gracious hosts. What a wonderful place. Note the banjo and leaf blower as fire-stoker. Keepin' it real country.

List for Santa

I think it speaks for itself.

New Do

Max insists ponytails.


Max admires ponytails.


Max turns on ponytails.


Max's hair after ponytails.

Halloween 2009

This was the scariest house in the neighborhood. Check out the werewolf at the door. Max was keeping an eye out for the flying witch who came tearing out on a zip-line. Not cool.


Mel was a police dragonfly, a superhero born of a dispute with a classmate...."Let's play dragonfly." "No, I want to play policeman." "No, dragonfly." "No, policeman."...



Rear view of homemade costume. That's right, homemade by me and Mel. I know, hard to believe given the level of craftsmanship.


This was just disturbing but it's OK b/c it was Halloween.

Mokayayo

Max stopped calling motorcycles "moka-yayos" before I could get it on camera. Now it's just "more-psychos". Here the two of them race on Tim's legs with "helmets" on. Tim's knees did not like it.

Rained Out, AGAIN

Mel's soccer practice was canceled again. This has been a very rainy season. Oh well. Below are images from soccer practice a few weeks ago. Max is an enthusiastic supporter. Melina is an enthusiastic player.

A few huge milestones were reached these last few weeks...

Max gave up the crib and now sleeps in Mel's old bed. He is not sleeping as soundly but doing really well. Melina has moved into our old bedroom and is beside herself with joy.

At the library 2 weeks ago Melina picked out a book, sat down and started reading it word for word like a real person who reads. I nearly fell out of my chair.

Mel, Artist

I wish she would have made this cat for the original works order.


Note how she filled out her own order form.

Pie

Mel and I made some apple pie. We used the apples we picked from the orchard. We decorated the crust with a witch, a moon and a ghost. Hard to tell in the photo.

Apple Picking and Wallet Gouging

...but still really, really fun.

Braves Vs Nationals

Watched our last game of the season.

Just Max

Spending some quality time with Max at the park. It was mostly about baseball.

Here he annouces he is a catcher after turning his hat backwards.

State Fair 2009