Grandpa song

This was Grandpa's Christmas present, composed of things Daphne's says about her Grandpa and arranged into a song by Pete and Rosie. The beginning of the "human ball" line (a wrestling game they play)got chopped out in the editing. She added the extra "rounds" at the end on the spur of the moment.

Snow days, etc.

Most of you (The 3 of you? Anyone out there???) that follow our blog know that we've had the biggest snow storm Portland's seen in 40 years, which lasted about a week and a half. Here are a few images from the week or so before Christmas.

Snow storm, Phase 1

Phase 2, out same window.

Daphne did finally venture out into the "crinkly" snow before Phase 2 hit.


Looking at icicles.


Assorted and buried picnic furniture and *embarrassed sigh* upside-down kiddy pool.

We've got the chains on and we're headed out - yipee! And we only spun out twice!

Lunch

Playing in the toy aisle at Fred Meyer.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Daphne! (and Pete!)

Daphne turns 3!


James helped Daphne open her presents.

Pete got to open some presents too.

Daphne had asked for paints for her birthday. Here's neighbor Jude and Daphne giving them a test run.


Daphne painted a smiley face.

A Daddy Snow-Day

While Rosie was at church choir this morning I tried to get the kids to frolic in the snow. Unsuccessfully. Particularly humorous are Daphne's protests that the snow is "too crinkly," and the look on James' face at the very end as I take him outside. Enjoy!


Hi, this is Rosie now. I wanted to put up a couple pictures from when they finally did get outside.


Poor Daphne.

Deck the Halls/Mantle!

I think we're supposed to have a giant TV in this spot, from what I can tell. But we've found it's a nice place to keep our little garage sale tree from when we first got married. We're definitely getting our money's worth out of that thing. We like it.

This is a beautiful Advent calendar my mother-in-law gave me for an early Christmas present. Daphne looks forward to putting a new character or object in the scene each morning. It's amusing to see where she chooses to place each one. Right now, Joseph, a wise man, and a sheep are kickin' it in the stable, while Mary seems to be banished to the far bottom corner. I'm sure Daphne's got a vision for the whole thing... Anyway, it will be interesting to see where Baby Jesus ends up.

Zoo Lights

We went to Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo last night. This was our second year; last year James was just over a month old! Last year Daphne thought the lights were on the real animals, a totally understandable assumption for a two year old. I think she understood a bit better this year.