Mouse Trap

Barta Vista Social Club

Drive-In Pals

Sarek has begun to craft his own stories of make believe. Last night, he decided to turn his parking lot of cars into a drive-in move theater. He then invited his toy friends to the movie....ladybug, mouse with cheese wedge, and gorilla with banana. The wind up toy equivalent of Larry, Curly, and Moe!

Live Footage Xmas 2009

This one's for you, Grandma Tarah!

Sans Kids in SLO

Brett and I got away from the kids for an hour during our trip to SLO/Pismo Beach last week. Brett indulged me in a nostalgic walk down memory lane...or should I say bubble gum alley lane? San Luis is famous for its Bubble Gum Alley, which we have documented here. It's a gross tradition of sticking chewed gum on an alley wall, and it shows no sign of stopping. I'm guessing maybe 3 or 4 layers deep with gum at this point? We even saw fortune cookies and phone #s tacked into the gum. We then fled to Linnea's. We talked about our lovely children, health care reform and evil lobbyists, and caught each other up on family gossip. A perfect hour with a nearly perfect husband.

Last Time

This is Sarek's last night in these comfy fleece pajamas (rainbow choo choo logo). Someone sent us an article on how we don't remember the "lasts" as much as the "firsts" with kids, so here's to a fleecy last. Our boy is growing up, up, up!

This video has Sarek asleep in the same p.j.'s in his crib for the last time. Ironic!

Christmas Day 2009

We have been shacked up in a house oevrlooking Pismo Beach for our Christmas vacation. House swap rocks! We are 2 blocks from pristine beach and about 4 long strides away from the house hot tub if you don't count the rolling out of bed part. We spent the morning near the tree and then packed up for Montana de Oro and sand dune melee. The weather has been all clear blue skies and warm sun, totally inappropriate for Christmas. I have such fond memories of this part of the Central Coast. Banu, her friend Milis, and my sister, Deepa, are here, too. As the only one even remotely from a Christian background, Brett thought it funny to be celebrating with a motley crew of casual Muslims and Hindus. Brett and I had a rare chance to watch cable TV last night & got caught up in the movie, "Dirty Dancing." I'm so glad that Baby gets to do the Lift at the end. Ha!

Turn Around & Drive.

Week in Pictures

Grandpa Mike continues to make the rounds this week between Gates and Flood Sts. We cooked the turducken on Sunday night to celebrate Moki/Chris' anniversary and the eve of Chris' first day at his new job. We head to SLO on Friday night for a wedding and the holidays.

Relax

Head and Shoulders

Standing Room

She ain't even crawling yet, but she loves the assisted stand.

The Little Engine That Could

No One Said There Were Three Grandkids Here.

The Infantes' Visit

The sweet spot in our Thanksgiving this year was a visit from my dear friend, Kim, and her family. We managed to launch a mini van sort of reunion with Perry, another friend from high school. Highlights included the usual Saturday farmer's market run, a father-son 10k in Golden Gate Park, and a Saturday night rendevous with my new birthday CrockPot (chosen over an IPhone!) Sebastian and Sarek are 4 months apart; Nola and Lucas are the same # months apart, just in the opposite direction. After years of wandering our paths around the globe, Kim and I finally live within driving distance of each other, with Kim raising her kids in our hometown.

PahPah

Double Blog

Shake Shake Shake

Big Boy Underwear

Potty training is not finished but we are making progress.

Singin' the Blues

Miller Genuine (Draft)

Pictures and video of our families together in November.

A Simple Thanksgiving

We took advantage of fine SF weather and kicked Thanksgiving off with a visit to the Discovery Museum in Fort Mason. We then watched the sunset across SF Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge from Chrissy Field . It was a perfectly spontaneous day. Very rare for us to have a day ramble on like that with everyone in synchronized good moods! Sarek loved watching a big barge from China sail under the GG Bridge. Although it meant missing our beloved friends in Oregon this year, simplicity was the best holiday choice we have made in awhile.

Spin Cycle

Sarek and Sebastian at St. Mary's Park.

En Garde!

Sarek engages in his first sword fight with our neighbor, Ben. Ben said he was a formidable opponent.

The New Addition

Nola is thankful to have her first tooth come in. Right in front, on the bottom.

Choo Choo Neighbors

In his quest for train Nirvana, Sarek discovers the remote control set that comes with 4 kids. Jonas, Jasper, Cala, and another Nola.

Hair

Gorilla isn't the only one having a bad hair day around here! Nola is a victim to her parents' rusty hair grooming skills. We often forget to take out hairbands and clips. Sarek is in on it, too, and looks a lot like a Samoan with his frontal ponytail.

Hello Cole, Hello Ty

Chapathi

For all of the Evans who assume I don't cook....evidence that I really do, just not when you're in town! This was Sunday night dinner: chapathi, carrots and sweet potato, dahl, and palak saag....unprocessed Indian food, no gadgets, no recipe, no microwave, no nothin'. Sarek also got his first lesson in rolling out ("woojing") the chapathi for pan frying. Woojing was one of my first kitchen chores as a kid.

Posers

Best candids of the week! Photos taken with actual camera and not an IPhone. Gads!