Ballerina

Viv will need another skirt like this when she finally outgrows this one.  It has the best spin and a ballerina needs good spin.

Big shoes

It's Meggie's turn to try her foot in the bog shoes.  She can go pretty far in Viv's but only a few steps in mine!

Thanksgiving at Jodie's!

We were very lucky to be able to fit in a visit to Jodie's this Thanksgiving.  Diana and Rick joined also with George, Ever, and Rhiannon.  We took a short trip to the park ... didn't last long because it was cold!!!  Wasn't it like 60 degrees just the day before?

Rhiannon and Ever couldn't bear to walk home.  Good thing Jodie doubles as a work horse.

Meg is officially best friends with Uncle Mike.  I think he's her speed.

Meg attack!

 My origami wreath.

All together now.

Arm wrestling

The first loss was hard to take.  But one day Grandpa ... victory will be so sweet.

Happy Birthday Suzy!

This party was a bit early but we were all together.  Can't believe it's been two years since this little love came into our lives.  She's amazing.  Smart, sweet, adventurous.  Happy Birthday Suzy!

Rough-housing with Suzy

Who would have thought the kids were old enough to just go and play by themselves downstairs.  But with Viv and Pip to lead the way, it actually works.  I think they might also have to all be in good moods!

A little love-housing on the futon.

Cheese up the stairs.

Park

The new development by Grammie's house has an awesome park.  I think we went at least 3 or four times to get some energy out.

This cool tunnel was the site of a visit from the German Root Beer woman.  She's very silly.

Strike a pose

The weather this Thanksgiving was incredibly warm.  It was so nice to be able to take advantage of Grammie and Grandpy's nice yard.  While I was inside, apparently Phil and the kids had a little game of photo horse!

Vivie does it ...

Then Daddy!

Viv in the tree.

Daddy up close.

Pip as the sun sets.

Birdfeeder.

Garden Angel.

Shoulders.

Tree stump.

Up close!

Far away!

Flying!

Cute.

Apple Pie

Vivie and Grammie made this scrumptous apple pie together for Thanksgiving dinner!!

Video mania

Pip's getting adept at his video games lately.  He has the dexterity now for the Playstation controller and mostly the patience necessary to figure out the game.  We still get a lot of freaking out over him not figuring out the puzzles, but he's getting better bit by bit.  

Pasta distraction

We did it with rice a while back ... why not pasta too?

Fort Sleepover

Pip and Viv constructed this sprawling single story fort in the sun room (it is hard not to say hot tub room).  They worked hard on it for a long time and Phil and I rewarded them with a sleep over.  We got out their lanterns and they gathered lots of books.  They played for a while and I think around 9:30 I gave then a 15 minute warning to sleep or go upstairs.  The little muchkins were like "ok" and turned out their lights and quietly went to sleep. 

All was good when Phil and I finished our movie.  So we decided to head upstairs for the night.  Around 3 in the morning sweet Pip sauntered up to us to groggily report the fort was collapsing and we should rescue Vivie.  So we carried the sleeping camper up to her bed and Pip retired to his.  

Meg says Vivie!

Meg was just trotting around one day and I thought she was saying "wee-wee" from a Boy Scout skit of Pip's.  Silly Mom!  She's saying Vivie!!!

Climb, Jump, Slide, Flop.

I love you

Meggie's first words are the best ones.

Spontaneous Hike!

Columbus Day and I was planning a trip to the Ecotarium but turns out they are closed Mondays.  So I put my feelers out and lots of friends were up for a hike.  Ended up being an awesome time and Pip leveraged it for a Cub Scout check!

Big rock somewhere deep in Breakheart.

 

Viv and Ali.