Sunday, September 6, 2009

Date Night



I remember my mom telling us, during fights about who had to sit in the middle in the car or other critical issues, that someday we would love spending time together and that we would each others' best and most cherished friends. Once again, my mom was right. We had such a good time- even though half of us drive mini-vans, we make them look real good!

The Perfect Pear 2009


Amanda and Tanya made a game for us all to play called the Perfect Pear- a play on words as the winners took home specially made pears. Amanda and Justin came in as the "newest pear" which was hilarious and shows how much integrity Amanda as after knowing the questions she did not prompt Justin during the time before the reunion with the correct answers. This game was so much fun. I heard a rumor that next year it might be The Perfect Pair- Iron Chef style!

Buck and I came in third, which is okay because the bronze pear I thought was the most beautiful anyway and our treat was snickers- we decided to try and be third every year. Bytheway- we were playing this early in the morning while Grandma had all the kids and then some of us were going on a hike- so please excuse the variety to apparel.
Scott and Melissa ended up with the silver pear in a last minute double or nothing finals round. It was interesting to see how much more they new about each other after being married for more years than the rest of us. Having said that, they both still were full of little surprise answers.

Here they are- the Perfect Pair! In fact I think we are all quite well suited with our mates, but this year they took home the trophy. And I should say that Tanya has a lot of integrity as well and did not prompt Brian, which made the success even sweeter.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Family Pictures 2009

My mom is laughing at all of us who were singing and making faces and doing anything we could think of to get all the kids to look in the same direction and smile.

Addy had had enough and wanted her mom, and Ella put her arm around her shoulder without any prompting.

And then gave her a big hug, and Addy stopped crying

Well, if it's for posterity than it might as well be the most natural it can be, right?

A Lady Always Wears a Hat

I love this picture of Tanya and Ella- the expression on Tanya's face is priceless.

Ella and her hat

Grandma and Ella both have hats

It was cute when Ella figured that out.

For the love...

Note- two very clean and dry aunts enjoying a day at the beach.
Now note the child below and her enjoyment all morning- all morning being a figurative statement for the length of time a one year old can focus on any given activity. I will inform you that said amount of time in sufficient to leave one wet, sandy and in need of some attention.


This is what she did- pick up sand, try to throw a few grains, pick up more sand, sit down and rest, then stand up, pick up more sand, etc.



Now, when the moment came that this was no longer entertaining and she was ready to be dry and have a hug and a snack, she proceeded to the nearest known adult. Recall the first picture of the dry and clean aunt. Please do not judge the next picture- the only reason it was captured is because it was truly a moral quandry- well, maybe that's a little intense, but in the 30 seconds that I was reviewing my options, this picture was taken. The thing about a sandy, wet and mildly upset child is that you cannot simply hold them and soil one portion of your attire- their little innocent minds stimulate that little foot to swing back and forth across your abdomen so as to soil your entire front. And those little cherubic hands full of grime see that your hair and neck are without sand and are stimulated to correct that situation- and then once you match their current state, will they lay a head on your shoulder. Thus the cause for the pause.

However, for the love of a niece and for the love for a niece, I surrendered my cleanliness and all was made right. Besides, everything washes clean.

A day at the beach January 2009

Brian- the picture doesn't quite show how much he looked like an island king

Scott and Josh

Liam

Jake and Liam
Liam

This little girl makes me laugh!




Amanda and Justin taking a leisurely stroll on the beach

A hike in San Diego Jan 2009




Nadia, Jake, Addy, Scott, Melissa, Josh and Justin

Even though this isn't a hiking picture- it's one of my favorites.

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