"...His Eyes, How They Twinkled! His Dimples, How Merry!..." Merry Christmas! Saint Nick and I are just having a good laugh.

Tiny Duets

Thanksgiving: Thank you Nana, Poppy, and Katy for visiting us!

The rainstorms we've received this month have brought some breathtaking desert scenes.

I love how when it rains here the sun is not far behind.

this rainbow was particularly vivid.

Religious Freedom Still Exists

No Mob Veto

People who are violently attacked for their support of Prop 8 can report harrassment

Holiday fun begins! Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and is preparing for a Merry Christmas!
(ok so 'Miss Penmenship' always likes to write her letters, but this was the first time I peaked in and she had actually got the letters in the right order).

P.E. What does P.E. mean to you? To us it means Professional Engineer--A status that Robb obtained last month--And now these initials go behind his name. This has been years in the making and I'm so proud of him. So what did it take anyway? oh, just a couple little items:

• A B.S. in Civil Engineering
• Passing status of an 8-hour long test called the F.E. (taken on one day)
• Four years of labor with protractor in hand as an EIT, Engineer In Training.
• Passing status of yet ANOTHER 8-hour-long test..this time appropriately called the P.E.

...throw in a Master's in Structural Engineering just for good measure and there you have it, all the sweat and tears that went into this licensing--did I get everything in a nut-shell, Robb? I was thinking about getting him a gold-plated pocket protector with his name engraved on it just to say congratulations. (If you want to contribute to that gift send money to me, I'll make sure Bob gets his pocket protector. Promise.) But all joking aside...when you take this all away, what's left is my best friend, and the best father 2 girls could ask for. I love you. Congratulations.

Reunion Tour Portland, Christmas-2008, Be there for the magic

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-cPxIajUyiyY/shirley_temple_be_optimistic_1938/

This is our favorite clip of Shirley

Halloween Fun Dressed as the greatest child star of all time, Shirley Temple. Any resemblance?

The week of Halloween we watched many Shirley Temple movie clips to get geared up for the big day.

The PUNKIN'!

Both girls really liked carving pumpkins this year.

Remember to VOTE! Officially one week count down to election day

Happy 1.5! Sunday was her big 18-month-milestone. NURSERY!!!! Whatever you do, just don't ask her about it...she had a bad...experience.

Time for a PET?

After our trip to Califonia (where 2 cats take up residence at Nana and Poppy's) a ball of yarn became a "pet" for the girls. They were very loving with this and even made a leash and dragged it though the house.

Other notes: BEAUTIFUL weather has commenced here. We are enjoying it.

(P.S.: Ky, this dress is still being worn! 3rd little girl to be passed to).

My BelleA typical scene: She requests a princess movie, gets "gussied" up, finds the corresponding book that matches princess movie, and lastly, enters princess nirvana. ......Doesn't everyone read while they watch movies?

"...Your a Monkey Pruning!..."

Halloween 2008

Nights with Dad

With work and mutual in the evenings, the girls get Daddy-Daughter Dates 4 nights a week. These were pictures I found on the camera from this week's activities. Cookie night. Spare us the lecture about Salmonella poisoning...licking the cookie bowl is one of the great joys of childhood! I think they will survive, we all did, right?

(How many pictures have I posted this year of my children wearing clothes?...I'm not gonna lie, this blog is raw and uncut.)

Hang Time If you are reading this, then you are officially challanged to some mean, 4-on-4-B-Ball. If you think you can handle it, come over and let's see your stuff.

Robb always wanted a hoop for the pool. He finally "macguyver-ed" one bought from craigslist and it handles the slam pretty well...and hang time as you can see...

She is very proud that she swims without floaties now! We've had a good summer, but the warm water is not gone yet.

My BEEF with Wendy's So, here's my beef... What happened to the JBC??? What happened to the $.99 menu????!!!! I need my Dollar JBC...When I eat crappy food, I at least don't want to break the bank on it. Let me guess, its gas prices, right? Is anyone else totally outraged??

This book is GREAT! (The Soft-Spoken Parent, By: H.W. Goddard) I recommend it to any one who has ever felt like they might rip their own hair out while parenting. Its a quick read, very quoteable, and may even save the life of a child!

Gov. Palin I post this not really to get all political...but more to just tease my husband a little. Sorry :) He has a bit of a crush on the new Vice Presidential candidate on McCain's ticket. But really: she cleaned up in Alaska, she'd kick butt in Washington, and at the end of the day she enjoys snowmobiling and shooting assault riffles...can you blame a guy?

Teething sucks worse for Princesses... Its a good thing I think this is adoreable...cause I see it a lot.

oh, she pulls it together for a photo opp. (what a tough and brave little girl!...sorry for the sarcasm).

Attention: all California Residents and all those interested in preserving marriage. Click here to learn more and get involved. (you can live anywhere in the U.S. to support the cause).

Magic BUCKET Rides This ride went thoughout the whole house.

She still fits too!

Monsoons

Don't you love Monsoon Season? This started by just letting the girls get a closer look...soon it was toes in...you know the rest. (hence the "dress up" outfit, we weren't planning on getting wet).

Dear Geege, We miss you!!

"I'll try to be good,

I'll do as I should,

I'll whisper I love you too...

I wish every child in the whole wide world

had a Grandmother just like YOU!"

Love, Simmonim-Pie and Benny-Bo-Bun

Do you know anyone who is pregnant and considering adoption? I know a PERFECT adoptive couple! Read about them at: www.JoinOurLovingFamily.com

Featured at the website is my highschool friend Amber. Her website tells about her and her husband; but the webpage doesn't go into detail about how amazing Amber is. She is warm, kind, talented in so many ways and has the best sense of humor. They will be such wonderful parents. You can contact them through their website.

LUCKY number SEVEN To celebrate 7 years of matrimony, we got lucky Vegas-style, baby! Robb planned this surprise weekend get-away. It truly was the surprise of my life; I had NO idea he had this up his sleeves (you can kind of tell from the 'lucky' smile on his face in this picture).

No babies pictured here; Robb planned this while my mom was visiting in town so she could stay with the girls. The whole weekend I felt like a huge chunk of my life was missing. yet its amazing how 7 years and 2 kids later, its very easy to hang out just as a couple. Its also very easy to sleep in. wow.

I love you! Thank you!