We went to see Nicolette perform in her first play at the Marin Theatre Company in Mill Valley. The play's title was "Honk! Jr," and it is based on "The Ugly Duckling."

Nico played a frog and she rocked the role! We all pretty much agreed that Act II was much more enjoyable than Act I -- mainly because of the frog action.

After we gathered at her grandparent's house for celebration and dinner. Pictures are below in an album.

Last week we packed up the kids and the van and headed for Southern California for a long weekend of family and fun. I-5 was its usual summer blend of heat, batches of traffic, and work in the fields. We saw political signs galore over water restrictions. Our trip took about 9 hours each way. Not bad because we had a lot of bathroom stops, and no potty training accidents!

Friday the kids went to Harbor Cove Beach with their GrandMarie and I. It's in the Channel Islands harbor/marina, and it was the perfect spot on a perfect day. The kids got to yell & run, sat in the surf, and became one with the sand. After 3 hours, we still had to pry them away with a crow bar -- especially Anna.

Then the guys sacked out while Anna and I shopped for a new suit. Her old one picked up quite a chunk of beach sand and become, um, well, a big sandy mess. We found a suit on sale and celebrated with exploring the under reconstruction Oaks Mall. Anna found a darling fountain and we discovered the delights of violet gelato!

We had dinner at an improbably located Denny's. You can see it plainly from a main street, but there's no parking along that street and the lot is ... hidden. Well. Upside was that it was not at all crowded and had good food.

Saturday we met up with cousins! It's been years since Anna and James met Grace, Tommy, and Joey. Of course the grown ups boggled over how much the kids had all grown. We attempted getting caught up on life and events. We ate some darned good food too! Anna loved the dogs and the pool. There was much weeping and unhappiness when it was time for groups pictures and good byes. Anna learned how to jump off a step to the bottom of the pool, as well as how to swim underwater. James liked to watch Anna, play with a ball in the pool, and keep an eye on Tommy's cool new remote-controlled boat.

We headed inland and met up with Grandpa and Grandma. We didn't see much of James. He grabbed his blankets, lay down on the livingroom rug, and announce "Ni-nite!" He then took a multi-hour nap in a back bedroom, while Anna learned to play a role playing game that resembled Clue with a mythelogical overlay. Grandma, Grandpa, and Mommy got a little confused with the instructions, so we came up with a shortcut. Then the Bugs Bunny DVDs came out. Anna is now officially a fan. With Anna watching cartoons and James snoozing, dinner was relaxed and casual. We totally enjoyed it!

On Sunday, we went out to IHOP with GrandMarie for breakfast. It was the perfect place to bring the kids. The food was good, service was prompt, and they don't mind silly kids. We thought we'd try having the kids swim in the hotel pool while packing commenced, but alas, the pool was not heated and the kids declined. We still were able to say our goodbyes, pack up, and hit the road by 11am or so. 

We had the best time! Pictures will appear below. I'll be doing a few at a time as I get them sorted out, so keep checking back.

Family and friends came to help us pick some of the zillion ripe cherries from our tree yesterday. We enjoyed a wonderful day together, playing, picking, and picnicking. Pictures are posted below.

Last month we met up with our friends, Marsha, Kenley, and their daughters for a picnic and afternoon of fun. As usual, it was mostly chasing the kids and snatching a minute or two to catch up on news and socialize in parental shorthand.

It was a beautiful afternoon, and the children were delighted with both the outdoor water play areas and the temporary exhibit "Play It By Ear."

Pictures are shown below.

The Easter Bunny brought lovely baskets for all. We met up with family for brunch and an Easter egg hunt. It was a fun and relaxing day.

We brought a big ol' fruit salad and stuffed 65 plastic eggs. My cousins stuffed 160 eggs, so each of the 6 kids got to find at least 37 eggs each, over two levels of their garden. My folks were there, as well as my uncle and his friend, and my brother and his family.

We had 4 kinds of quiche to go with the fruit salad, berry & savory mini muffins, and appetizers. Rob & James went home early for naps and Anna went on the zip line (a big change from last year), watched Alvin & the Chipmunks, and did some hip-hop dance with her cousins.

We have had several lazy weeks,trying to stay dry & healthy when it rains and freezes, going outside to play when the sun is out and warm(ish). The kids love to sit on the sofa together, watching TV or Anna making pictures on her laptop.

When James and I picked up Anna after school on Friday, the kids had a great time playing on the little playground on the way out. Yikes, they are getting so tall!!!

Pics below ...

Hard to believe our little guy had his fourth birthday yesterday. He had the best time opening presents with us in the morning, ad having a pizza lunch party at our local pizza restaurant in the afternoon. His first party with classmates. It took a little while but we all ended up having the best time!

Check out the pictures (right now they are below the Journal section)

So as we take down Christmas, we put up pictures from our days of fun. This is a work in progress -- enjoy!

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Anna finishes her last swim class of the summer: Note her WET HAIR!!!! In just the past few days she has bobbed her head under water completely & jumped off the side into the pool.

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I-5. Whoop. Eeeee.

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Fields and fields roll by ...

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Little sunflower plants grow all along I-5's roadside, on both sides of the interstate.

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How we travel. James is taking a siesta.

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Sheep!

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Anna, drawing. She ued my sketch pad and a box of crayons for almost 3 hours, creating pictures as well as flash cards. She used the last with James.

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Getting closer! It's about 800 miles round-trip for us. That makes it 400 miles each way and I is a genee-us!

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Well, we were all pretty giddy to pull in to the motel. Look what found when I came back to the car?

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Actually, I found two some-things in my seat!

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Ehmurtah, flowers, and Easter goodies; 4/12/09

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Anna's Basket; Easter 2009

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James is first awake, & he goes for the Peep bubbles

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Easter hugs!

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"Open? Peese?"

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Aftermath; 4/12/09

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James is finding Easter Eggs at Don & Vicky's

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Anna and her special Easter basket from her Daddy

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Wow! Look at those eggs!

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James, Anna, Emma, Merrick, Nico, & Jack; 4/12/09

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We love our play-doh!

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I don't dare tell the kids how educational it is!

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Anna and James had fun with the Potato Head pieces we brought back from Disneyland!

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Sweet moments


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A last golden bit of fall ...


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Windsor countryside in the gloaming

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James at the CATS program's end of semester party

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Anna Lee, with her Pink Tink Drink

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James prefers the red cup

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Couchastenics

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Ya talkin' to *me*?

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Opening his first present of the day!

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James was very interested in his card too!

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What's inside?

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Open? Open!!!

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We are guessing it is *not* a dinosaur!

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Oooh! A tray! Thank you, thank you! He needs one for he car.

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"More pee-chures?"

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"Okay. Aaaaall done"

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Close. Put Away. (yes, he was saying these things!)

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Present Numero Two-o!

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Ooooooo-pen!!!

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What is this? A light!

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Rob bought this at Storybook Station, before they closed.

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James really likes the ducks -- they remind him of his book "Little Quack"

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Both kids really like it.

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Anna likes the top -- to her it looks like a merry-go-round.

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Making sure they've seen every picture ...

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Little fun stuff.

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One of those frisbee/ball things.

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Anna is telling James all about them; they have them at her after school care.

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James, watching it flip back into a ball after dropping it to the floor.

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I forget what this was called ... how about a whirling bizz-thing?

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h. It's called a Power Launcher. I like my name better!

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This is how James smiles at us. He's just seen one of the wheels launched!

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Watching Daddy reload ...

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There it goes!!

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Toooooools!!!

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Already a hit

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James likee!

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Mom, I'm busy. Tool Time!

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I love this shot

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Testing the screwdriver

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What is this one?

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Checking out his birthday trike!

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Nice ride!

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Wheeeeee!!!!

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Happy Birthday, James -- we love you!

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