Hello, World!

Imagine my surprise when I was trolling through my favorite blogs and discovered ...my own! It's been more than a year since we've posted here, and while I'm pretty sure the only person left who ever looks here is my pal Kate, I'm gunna re-up and say hello. Hello!

The last 14 months have been productive for our family. Tiny Man is now 4, Stinky 2.5. Both are rabid talkers and, luckily for us, they like each other. I just finished my fifth quarter of physical therapy school, and Josh's tenure at the ol' Courthouse is still going strong. We've celebrated some family weddings, some births and many an interesting life change (e.g. haircuts) since we last chatted. For the details on all of this, find me on Facebook where we've chronicled everything interesting since October last.

Check us out. Purty cute, huh?

Punkins at the Punkin Patch!

These were taken at a birthday party for Wilson's good friend, Madelyn.

Pics here.

Wylet's Vocabumtary.

Wylet is talking all the time now! Her newest words include:

Stinky!
Railway
Lunchbox
Shoe
Nose
Zucchini
Grape
Toothbrush
Eyebrow
Book

:) Yay!

More Pics of Childrens.

Water Play!

Stinky's New Vocabumtary.

Some new words being spoken by the Stinklet:

Bye bye (complete with a wave)
Mommy!
Daddy!
Bapu! (we think this means cup, but we aren't sure...)
Paddy (a friend at school)
Car
Doggie
Diaper

and, of course,

Right There.

Grampa.

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of my father's untimely death. We are indebted to East Pierce Fire & Rescue, who organized a very touching day in remembrance. They built a lovely pond in his honor, and named a memorial brick walk after him. They also designed coins with his picture and the phrase "A Quiet Leader Who Got it Done" inscribed.

It was really great for me to spend the day among people who love, mourn and miss Dad as much as I do. I was so glad to see his memory alive and openly cherished by so many. It was well-timed, as I sometimes feel that he's being forgotten. But I don't feel that way anymore, and for that I am deeply relieved.

We also marked the day in our own ways. Katrina toasted him at his grave with a bottle of lovely wine. Wilson wore a Hawaiian shirt, khaki shorts and sandals. I tried (and failed) to get Happy Donuts, so resigned myself to Albertson's donuts instead. In hindsight, I should have had two large bowls of ice cream.

Here's a moving tribute written by someone at EPFR: http://ow.ly/ikw9

Fallen But Never Forgotten

No, not there...

Kids say the darnedest things, indeed. We aren't exactly sure where she picked it up, but Violet is saying a new phrase:

"right there".

The cuteness is painful. Especially when she walks right up to you and points to your face when she says it. It's like her own, unique way of saying "I like you".