Doll Party!

Hannah wanted to base her birthday party on the "Doll People" book series by Ann M. Martin. We had a cake that was supposed to be a dollhouse with people looking out of the window, but I soon realized that that would be a bit too ambitious so we just settled for the house (not my best decorating job ever...). The kids painted dollhouses and little people, and they followed clues to find missing Auntie Sarah, a doll in the book who has been missing for 45 years. It was a very fun time with friends and family!

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

Happy 8th birthday to this crazy cat, a girl full of spunk, talented pianist, inventor of great things, tightest hugger in the world, and general sweetheart. I love you, my sweet little Lottie!

Dylan's New Bike!

We had planned to get Dylan off of his tricycle and on to a bike at Christmas time, but he adamantly refused to try a bike so we decided to wait. Well, I guess there is nothing like waiting for Mommy to shop at Costco to inspire a guy to try new things. Daddy got him to get on the bike and he rode up and down the store aisle. So, of course, we had to buy one on the spot. He spent most of his afternoon riding in our neighborhood like he had been doing it all of his life! (Yeah, I know we have a little issue with the helmet fit...)

Lovely Music!

This is Hannah working on one of her piano songs. At the time of this video, she was just starting to learn the second half so I cut it off when she started getting into that part. Anyway, it is lovely to listen to both girls practice. I'll post one of Mason's songs soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA ALICE!! (It's a Video)

San Francisco at Zeum!

These are iphone pictures, so they are not quite as good as my Nikon photos, but cute anyway!

My Little Flower Bringer!

This guy loves to bring me flowers, carry groceries in from the car, and he simply insists on holding doors open! Such a little gentleman and such a sweet boy...

Just One of the Guys!

Dylan is so very crazy about his big boy cousins. I truly think they were the highlight of his trip! They are so good with him and truly enjoy hanging with the little guy!

New Years Day at the Beach!

We went to Cabrillo Beach for the Polar Bear Plunge on the first day of the year! The temperature outside was 68 degrees and the water was 58 degrees. To get a certificate, you had to get wet from head to toe! Mason and Hannah were the only brave souls in this family, although their methods of getting their hair wet was rather comical. Dylan spent the time running from waves, and brave cousin Steven swam all the way out to the second buoy armed only with his speedo! Cousin Bert also made it pretty far, and we had the pleasure of Grandma Alice's company as well. The picture in the king and queen chair is of our friends Beth and Gary-- it was Beth's birthday and she took the plunge!

Cousins in California!

We have been on a trip to California (sorry no posts) and got back on Monday! We visited the family in San Pedro and also went to San Francisco to see "Wicked" again! While we were out there, we picked up a u-haul trailer and bought a loft bed for Hannah, which is why I haven't posted pictures yet! Combine setting up a new bed, moving the old one to Dylan's room and mountains of laundry and you have one busy household! Today, I'll start with photos of cousins. We were missing three boys in the boy photo and two girls in the girl photo, but getting this many busy teens together was an accomplishment!