rockets and caterpillars

These were done in November, but I didn't get them photographed until now.  To my knowledge these are Wally's first "real" representational drawings.  So cute for this mama to see!!  

beach happiness

the walking wounded

Oh the carnage!!  McKenzie was playing too rough this morning and her eye fell out.  Fell out!  I'm not kidding when I say I felt sick to my stomach to see it.  These certain favorites ("kids" as they are called) become such a part of the family and really take on their own personality force.  It felt like a true and traumatic injury even to me!  Now she smells like super glue and all is right with the world.

presents with family, take 2

 I was a pretty pathetic keeper of family memories this Christmas season.  We were just too busy and really trying to enjoy the moments together with family rather than obsess about pictures.  Nevermind...I was just lazy.  

Case in point.  Fritz and Wally played owls with Mara and Jon the whole time we were together.  Mara and Jon have a very magical owl named Walden that made quite an impression on the boys.  Here Fritz is showing off Baby McKenzie, a.k.a. Owlette, wearing his new magic headband.  

 Sweet Ryan letting his cousins open even his presents!  

Check out Wally's silly bandz, rockin both arms loaded up.  

A drill set and bean bag toss from Ryan, Auntie Ali and Uncle Steve.  

Darling alpaca hats and ornaments from Mara and Uncle Jonny.  

Santa mugs, tortilla press and Playmobile figures from Grandmere.  

And probably some other wonderful things I've already forgotten!  

sprinkles

 If you look closely at the reflection in the window, you'll see that Tana (still in her elf jammies) was very much apart of this cookie decorating session.  She loves to participate in cookie time!  

So does Wally!  

presents under the tree

All kinds of wonderful things arrived in the dark of night on Christmas eve.  When we woke up (after stalling a long time upstairs with shows on the iPad), we came down to find Santa's bounty under the tree.  Too many wonderful things to list, but most importantly walking sticks from Santa, Hungry Hippo from Auntie Bridget and Uncle Michael and watches from Gramma and Grandaddy.  Wally just could not be swayed from his walking stick request, so with a Christmas eve trip to Joann's and glue gun in hand, Santa made it happen at the last minute.  Later in the afternoon we all went for a short hike on the Deschutes and gave the walking sticks a spin.  

Christmas eve "pa-jammies"

The three little elves, waiting for Santa to arrive in "pa-jammies" from Gramma.