Lost Photo Files

Just found this one from back in August - our last date night. We were at a Seahawks game and I was "acting" like we were about to fall off the edge. Since my super-special law enforcement tickets were literally the furthest you could get from the field while still being in the stadium.

Andrew's just tolerating me. And mentally cutting me off from any further $10 beers.

I was trying to photograph vintage items to put up for sale on Etsy and Arlie jumped in front of the camera. It looks like a really amateur photo for a cover of a really bad band's album.

I really have no clue.

Arlie and I posing for the camera.

Andi wanted to show you her outfit, too. Sigh.

Snow Daze

These are from the first day and night of snow. When it was fun. Now all we want is for it to melt away!

Flying

I know these aren't great photos but they make me laugh. Even looking at them I can hear the screams of delight from the girls as they were chased and thrown around.

Andi Brushing Her Teeth

Andi is very much wanting to copy everything Arlie does. Especially tooth brushing. Papa Don should be proud of his two cleanest-teeth girls in the Seattle metro area.

She's got her technique down pretty good, eh?

And yes, her hair is in a faux-hawk. That would be Arlie's doing. When I hear giggling coming from the bathroom, I know it's probably not good. But in this case, it was just a funny 'do.

Halloween 2011 (Uh, Belated)

I realize it's almost Christmas but I can't believe I forgot to do a Halloween post! Since Andrew did something to the computer that erased all the pictures that were saved, I just stole this post from my other blog. Heh. And Heather, I know you're still waiting for part 2 of the pumpkin patch. I'll work on that!

This first pic was taken after we went trick-or-treating in downtown Gig Harbor and Andi had had enough. She wasn't about to let me put her down for some alone pictures!

I'm a . . . witch. You probably figured that out. Really, the costume is always more of an excuse for me to wear drag levels of eyeshadow. I love crazy eye color.

Most people thought she was a nerdy chicken. Worked for me.

Arlie picked their Halloween costumes this year. She announced Andi was going to be Chicken Little.

 I ended up buying a pair of orange womens tights from Target and cutting them up to make her tights, comb, and foot covers. I bought the glasses from Goodwill, poked out the lenses, and painted the frame green with nailpolish. Her tail was a Trader Joe's brown bag cut into feathers. I think it ended up pretty good. And I was surprised she kept the glasses and headband on the whole time!

Arlie wanted to be Hello Kitty which I thought would be pretty easy. Did you know that no store in Gig Harbor sells white cat ears on a headband? Now you do. I wish I had a better picture but my mom came over with white felt and her hot glue gun and made plush cat ear barrettes for my little kitty. Combined with a bit of makeup and a pink dress from the clearance rack at Target, and she was Hello Kitty!  Arlie loved it, she was fascinated by her reflection in the mirror.

One more picture of beautiful Gig Harbor, we were lucky to have such a great afternoon for trick-or-treating.

Leavenworth 2011

For the second day off together, we decided to head to Leavenworth for the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. We've never had a bad time in Leavenworth and this year was no exception! There was a lot less people than usual, I'm not sure if it was the day we were there (Sunday) or if the economy is keeping more people home this year.

This first picture accomplishes two things: A) You can see the outfit that Arlie picked out for herself. I'm starting to think the love of clashing patterns in genetic. It's amazing how it all works! And B) you can see the amazing parking spot Andrew managed to find. He was very, very proud of it. There were triumphant whoops pulling in AND out of the space.

I'm such a jerk for publishing this next picture but it cracks me up how ALL THREE are doing something awkward with their mouths. I love them soooo much!

Also cracking me up? Random nutcracker sightings. . .

Here's one way to use stale pretzels:

Our nutcracker sighting turned into a nutcracker meeting!

Part of the main street lit up for Christmas:

Andi's pointer finger got a workout - there was so many things to look at!

 

I know I say this all the time, but she is such a poser!

We're already making plans to return next year!

Family Photo

Ed Johnson - Practicing Photographer, took a nice candid photo the other night during the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Key Center. Since we rarely have photos of the four of us together, I was excited that he shared.

Our Day Together

This holiday season I received two of the best gifts I possibly could - two Sundays off. That means we get to be together, as a family, for TWO WHOLE DAYS. It's amazing! Today we went and picked out our Christmas tree:

Andi picked out this bottle of honey (she's obsessed with bears!) and insisted on carrying it around with her until she finally got too tired.

Miss Monks

Two cute pics of Arlie. Trying on mommy's boots and helping make biscotti.

Pumpkin Patch Part 1

These are just a few of the pictures my mom e-mailed to me from the day we went to the pumpkin patch at Schilter Farm in Nisqually. Arlie was old enough this year to really have fun and participate in most of the activities. In fact, we ended up leaving her with Grandma and Papa to keep having fun while Andrew made sure I got to work in time.

I didn't know this but Andrew carts the girls around in our wheelbarrow at home. I though they were just naturals at it.

Love this picture.

Andi and Arlie both enjoyed the petting farm. Arlie was especially delighted that the goat kept trying to eat her admission bracelet.

Nom nom nom.

Well, that's it for part 1. I think part 2 is going to be a photo bomb post. I have pretty cute kids, it's hard to narrow the pictures down. Heh.

Tomatoes, Tomatoes Everywhere!

We only planted one tomato plant but it's been more than enough. The plant started falling over so we've been picking them and putting tomatoes anywhere we think they might ripen!

Yes, I like to randomly squat on the deck near the herbs. What'cha gonna do?

Dandelions

This was from a few weeks ago - it was a warm-ish afternoon and I knew we had to get outside and soak it in.

All of a sudden I think Arlie looks so much like Andrew! She seems to flip-flop between the two of us as to who she looks like.

Lost Summer

I found these pictures that I forgot to post. I read an article in Sunset magazine about a local beach with water temperatures that hit 70 degrees on average in August. Um, we Washingtonians love our beaches but we don't normally get to swim in the water without a wet suit. So we packed up the kids and checked out Twanoh State Park on the Hood Canal.

Arlie's all suited up for water fun! Doesn't she look like a beach volleyball player?

Arlie was kind of afraid of the water at first. And she definitely didn't like that she could see fish swimming. But with Andrew's help she got to the point where she wouldn't get out. The water actually was pretty warm and very clear. I even went swimming!

Andi really like playing with the floaty divider and the small pebbles.

Poor kid couldn't sit upright with her life jacket on though.

 Another video of Andi just chilling while we laugh at her non-reaction.