An Eater and a Fighter

This little boy of ours is turning out to be quite an eater.  The other night he wolfed down half a brat, and the night after he put down half a piece of chicken.  Myseriously, he loves frozen peas.  He actually eats whatever you put on his tray.  Soon enough he'll be off formula and drinking regular milk.

Preparing for battle!





(This was the sword we found in Yuma one time driving home from San Diego at least two years ago.  It's held up well.)

Cycling

MM had a good start without training wheels but then hit a plateau, so I tried taking the pedals off and letting learn to balance that way.  She's having success.  JoJo is content to chug along on her trike.  While I took down the Christmas lights this year, they got out and practiced.  Owen cheered them on.
V I D E O  [http://youtu.be/7PrVYplZ9fo]

Putting the Pool Fence Back Up

We hadn't even taken possession of the new house yet before we had our first project.  For some silly reason, the seller's realtor recommended taking the pool fence down, to show the place better.  Well, any buyer of this house was likely going to have kids and would have to put the fence back up.  The seller didn't want to pay to have it done, so we took it on ourselves.  My dad, Jack, and I, joined by Featha and Zeus, managed it in about four hours, with only one stop to Ace and re-pouring one bit of concrete.  Now, let's hope the darn thing stays up when the kids start climbing and shaking it...

Cactus Bowl

My sister and her student gov't high school students worked a concession stand every ASU home game this year to raise money.  They decided to work the Cactus Bowl also, for one last bit of coin.  They could sell beer at this one, so needed adults at the register.  Hence the plea for me to come help, which I answered.  It ended up being fun, as I hadn't been behind a register in at least ten years.  The rudest customer was from Oklahoma, but the members of their band who came by were really cool.  The River Valley H.S. football team was there, and it was fun to talk to them and congratulate them on their recent state championship.  It was freakin' cold in our booth, and everywhere, and handling cold bottles of beer didn't help.  Would like to have seen some of the game, but we could only hear the cheers (Okla. St. beat Washington 30-22).  I think Katie's kids pulled in a nice amount of money, so it was worth it.

New Years Day

Poppy, the girls, and I made it to the Villa for some nice eats, then up to the route for the Rose Parade.  It was one of the coldest on record, which worked in our favor as there not as many people.  We walked right up to Colorado and got a great spot next to a white lady who yelled at the Asians to get back.  Poppy and I laughed.  We stayed for the whole parade this year.  My favorite were the bands, esp. the all-LA county band.  That first pic is of the girls on the route before the first float made its way to us.

 

 

We had a great time but really missed Mama.  The cars going in the dip in front of the Villa was good this year.  We headed back to the apt. early again this year, but had some delicious food from Woodfire Grill while watching the Rose and Sugar Bowls, both of which turned out well (Oregon beat Florida St., Ohio State edged Alabama).

Mall Day and Northwoods on New Years Eve

This year the girls and I went to Pasadena again, without Bobbins, for the Rose Parade and to see family.  We did our annual day at the mall of shopping and movie watching.  The girls got smoking deals on new shoes this year instead of me: JoJo soccer cleats, MM summer sandals.  We did our photo booth shots and had lunch at Hot Dog on a Stick.

 

 

Nothing good was playing at the theater, so we went back to the apt.  The girls watched an old Don Knotts movie and ate popcorn with Nana, while Poppy and I watched UofA lose to Boise St. in the Fiesta Bowl.  It was grand.  That night we had our traditional dinner at Northwood's.  My mom was in a sour mood, but it was a great meal, as always.

All of us were fast asleep before the stroke of midnight.

Owen's Ascent

Owen learned how to climb up the back of the couch on New Year's Eve.
V I D E O       [http://youtu.be/slHaJCeWifU]

Reunion at the Park

Bobbins and some of her mom friends re-united at a Phoenix park.  She and Jess relished this selfie for some reason.

Wake Up, Attack !

The girls love to wake up Owen and play with/bother him in his crib.  Dad decided to help him get some revenge.
V I D E O     [http://youtu.be/IhgXI8Aip9Q]

Christmas Puzzle

I bought this puzzle for the family to do, but the girls didn't have much interest.  So Bobbins and I tackled it together and made a pretty good team.  It only took us an hour or so.  We can work together and have fun!

Christmas Morning - More

Said I'd put up more photos after this post, so here you go.
And a V I D E O      [http://youtu.be/x6lmP7gZyFM]

 

 

 

 This was our haul this year.  By far the best gift was that awesome, hand-carved crucifix from the Holy Land.  The Christians there carve olive wood sculptures and statutes to support themselves.  A very generous Santa gave it to us...












Bobbins burned the bacon, but we had See's candy, so all good.  Getting a box of See's is something my grandmother always did, so I'm trying to keep the tradition up.

Christmas Eve

We did our annual Christmas Eve children's Mass at STA.  It was packed with Chreasters, but we got seats.  I still had to take Owen out, of course.  He's too active.  We got our usual shots outside the church afterward, inc. a fun one with the Schaefers.

Bobbins made a ham dinner for her family, whom we had over, for a low-key affair.  Sorry, didn't get any pic's.  We had some great Trader Joe's desserts and a German chocolate cake made by Mrs. M.

Work Kids Party

I had Bobbins bring the kids up to the office this year for the kids Christmas party.  You were supposed to bring a wrapped present for Santa to give to your kid.  I just brought in candy canes, which brought on a heaping of scorn.  CW saved the day with some left-over presents from last year, and my kids got to sit on Santa's lap first.

 

Work Christmas Party

Bobbins and I went to my work Christmas party for the first time in two years.  We didn't feel up for it in 2012, and last year's venue wasn't that great.  This year was close to our house and a traditional button-up affair.  We had a fun table to sit at and the food was good.  The DJ not so much, but we got some dancing in.

"Nuttycracker"

MM had her ballet recital at school back in December, called the "Nuttycracker."  She had been very ill with a fever and tiredness but rallied for the event.  You can tell she's still not 100%, but it was her only recital of the season, so she had to make it.
V I D E O [http://youtu.be/Glw4joh4wi4]

 

Horsing Around

The other day we rassled and the girls climbed on my back on the bed.  Tried to introduce Owen to the sport.  He sort of took to it, probably too bothered by his sisers.

 

Visit by Neighbors

Christmas day our neighbors Kay and Cheryl stopped by with some gifts for the girls and to socialize.  The girls got even more Frozen stuff, which they loved.

We sure love our neighbors here!
 

Christmas Morning

More photos later, but here's a couple shots of our Christmas morning.