The Amazing Adventures of Catherine

Funny gabey

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

Gabey mugging

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

Gabey sniffles

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

It's All Mine

This was Gabey at birthday time - declaring his ownership of the clown wig Aunt Marg sent. At 2, he not surprisingly has many ways of expressing this concept (besides the simply put"MINE!") - including "I had it first" (even if it's something enticing belonging to someone we don't know walking down the street), "it's not fair" and "it's not Brian's."

More from the jokester!

Landing at Larkspur

I still have a couple of Christmas-related photos to share...and then it will be in with the new! 

THis was the day we went to get our Christmas tree.  We started at the Larkspur Landing farmer's market, which is in a shopping area right across from the ferry that takes you to the city.  Their Christmas trees were beautiful, small, and very expensive - so we got it elsewhere...but we did take some time to get coffee/cocoa,  wander around the market, check out the petting zoo area, and visit the ferry boats.

Four years old, and already wielding the accessory of the millenium - Starbucks cup. 

Gabey loved petting the bunnies, while Brian was very interested in the chickens.

Deal of the day - one dollar miniature pony rides!

Artisanal everything - including the food truck peeking into the photo - free range fried chicken...

Over the bridge to the boats!

On the beanbag - listening to a duo play some tunes...Brian really loved his live music experience this day.

 

Jokes and Puzzles

Brian loves a good joke - thanks Aunt Marg for the googly glasses - and he was delighted as he worked his Spidey puzzle with Dad on Christmas Day.  

For Whom the Car Rolls?

Santa brought Brian the remote control jeep...with Jason in the back of his mind. ;)

The kids get the biggest kick out of chasing the car around.  Highly giggle-producing.

Gingerbread Boys

We had to go try out the new remote control car on Christmas afternoon - so we brought along gingerbread cookies for snack. 

Santa (and All our Relatives) Stopped Here

Up at 6:30 - not too bad considering it's the usual...but then it was off to the races, once both boys realized what was under the tree.  What a lovely holiday we had - Santa took good care of Brian and Gabriel...Bri said before going to sleep on the Eve..."but what if I get coal?"  Most of all, thanks to all our family for sending such wonderful treasures - we are so grateful!

 The advent calendars were a big hit this year - both boys begging to "open a door" several times a day. Chocolate is a proven motivator of behavior.

Christmas AM exposes a particularly challenging situation in which to photograph children - the light is low and the motion absolutely frenetic!  It's all a blur. But you get the idea from the below.

Gabe has been committed to his fire truck from Nana for two days now - I think it's got staying power.

(Gabe snuggling on a most likely handsewn SOFT  fleece blanket from Granddad Wright and Susan - he loves it and asked to use it at bedtime because, "Warm, mama."  )  By the way, can you tell that Gabey is a camera ham? 

Thank you, Santa, for the bag of pig ears.  They are my favorite, and Mom is usually too cheap to buy them for me.

These Reptangle blocks from Aunt Kelly are really cool - Bri is very into building stuff, so these are right up his alley.   (Speaking of pigs, check out the one from Angry Birds on the chair. It makes snorting noises just like on the game. That was a daddy gift.)

Marg - the Spidey puzzle was the "sleeper hit" of the day - Bri and Jason did it together in the afternoon with much fanfare, and then before bed Bri declared it one of his most favorite presents. 

Official Fans of Christmas. 

 

 

Christmas Eve IV

Maybe someday we will have a Christmas Eve of taffeta skirts and champagne toasts -- but for now, this year worked just fine - with homemade (ok, not the crust part) pizzas, a decent Clos du bois cabernet, and these amazing oatmeal-caramel-sea salt cookies I got at the better market in town.  For the pizza assembly task, Pandora supplied the Classical Christmas music station, which was sending out the most beautiful selection of choral sacred music - my favorite for Christmas Eve.  (It's not Christmas for me without an "O Come Come Emmanuel.")  The kids watched The Polar Express, and then they listened to the recording Pops and Nana made of Twas the Night Before Christmas, which really delighted them.   We set about prepping for the morning after they were finally nestled all snug.  One-story living is challenging for Santa's elves!  Twice a kiddie stirred, and it was a mad dash to throw blankets over the loot, so as not to spoil the surprise.  I finally put a heavy basket in front of their door so we'd hear it opening if they got up!  We did a lot of wrapping and just hanging out by the tree - it was really fun. 

(pictures aren't great - novice photog meets low light situation)

(We have a collection of Virginia tribute ornaments now - including this one and his friends sent by Nanny.  I love them!)