Snowy Day

Ellie and I played outside for a few hours while Garrett was napping. We had big plans: Snowman, snowpig, snowdog and snowcat. We were distracted by Snowbirthdaycake (yes, real sprinkles and real cake decorating for the snow. It was quite tasty) and Snowshaveice.

"Smile Ellie". This is after she became a giant and bashed the snowman down. We also had fun making snow angels and shoveling snow.

Snowkitty survived the giant for about 20 minutes

Who me? Snow giant?

We came in to warm up and to get Garrett up. Then we went back out with the whole neighborhood to sled down the hill across the street. Even little Lindsey Kate came out for a few minutes to observe the fun. It was rain/sleeting by then and so wet that I couldn't take any pictures. However, Ellie was yelling "weepee weepee" (which is how she says "whoopee") as we went down the hill. Garrett made a number of runs with me, Kristie and Shawn (his fire captain buddy across the street). He did climb on a sled by himself once but I managed to prevent him from careening down the hill. Ellie and Autumn went down by themselves and ended up in the bushes but were laughing and only partially disheveled.

Here we are after sledding, the pink cheeked crew:

My Little Helpers

I decided to attempt making chocolate chip cookies tonight with both kids! As you can tell, they both had a great time.

Flour, I need more flour!

I kept them busy by giving them a little brown sugar to eat too.

Ellie's 3rd Birthday Party

We had Ellie and Autumn's third birthday parties together again this year as the girls are best buddies.


Pre party action shot!

The party turned out to be a Tangled (Rapunzel story), Star Wars (Kristie and I found Star Wars pez dispensers we couldn't pass up), Mexican (we got a pinata) theme.

Contemplating the cake

Ezra trying to take out the pinata

I love this action shot of Judd (NNNOOOOO, not the face)

Lucy taking out the pinata. She did a great job.

Dad's helping divvy up the candy

Oops, out of sequence, Garrett taking wack at the pinata

Great warriors, Lukas and Heath, battle it out while Lucy watches. It was a gorgeous day and all of kids played outside most of the time.

The birthday girls

Awesome weather!

They crack each other up.

Trip to San Francisco

We went to San Francisco for the American College of Emergency Physicians meeting. Ian and I went to meetings and we had Ashley come and help us with the kids. I took the kids out on Friday to the "best coffee shop in San Francisco", Sightglass, which is was. I had a maple bacon donut, Ellie had a chocolate spice donut and Garrett had a plain donut, mmmm.Would you mess with this kid. Garrett had biffed it just prior to leaving our rental apartment complex.

Cool gal at the park.

Lovely San Francisco day. It was 83 degrees that day

We were right next to the Yerba Buena Gardens and the Zeum Children's Museum. They had a big celebration on Saturday and Sunday and we took the kids. Garrett was multi colored by the end, including his tongue from eating the chalk.

Let us out!!

I'm a tough guy mommy.

Garrett's First Birthday Party

Our little monkey! The party spread

My little guy is one!

So cute!

Aaah, this food is so goood, bring on the cake!

Ellie and Autumn, practicing their skillz

Mmmmm. Carrot cake muffins are good.

Heath showing Garrett how to play with his new toy from Heath.

The gang helping Garrett play with his toys (left to right: Lukas, Heath, Garrett, Autumn, Ellie)

Visit to Amah Mar and Baba Mike's House

In early September, the kids and I went to visit Amah Mar and Baba Mike. We spent a lovely Saturday afternoon at the Huntington Library and Gardens. Their children's garden is wonderful but you have to bring a change of clothes. Ellie and Amah Mar, cool shades

Garrett and Baba Mike, cool dudes

I love this stuff man! (Forget keeping them clean or dry)

Ellie and Garrett practice their rock skills

Strawberry Icecream girl. A well deserved treat after working so hard to play in the water garden and the rainbow tunnel.

The gang's all here

Ellie and her friends having a tea party

Moooooooommmmmm!!! We went over to Drake's house (my friend John Abdelshehid's son) for an afternoon to play. Drake is a month younger than Garrett.

The Potholes were conquered

The Three Amigos begin their sojourn

The trout were plentiful. Don't worry, they all lived to tell the tale of their encounter with the great hunter, Michael Crane

King of the Hill

The biggest pothole. This one looked good for swimming for humans

Yosemite back country is a beautiful place