Photos with Santa

Pay no attention to the fact that Santa looks different in the photos.... or the $1,600(!?!?!) dental bill I had just received. Randomly selected Santa photo day at the vet to get the boys' teeth cleaned, and subsequently several of them pulled. Hence the reason they look a little F'd up in the photo they took after because, uh, they were. Pretty cute, though.

And we received Oliver and Opal's photos via a photo order site. So glad we did it. The pediatrician recommended we do it this year, because next year we'll probably get the screaming photo.

First Visit to Santa

Oliver and his girlfriend Opal visited Santa this weekend. We even managed to find one not at the mall. Not a lot of smiles - Oliver was very serious - but no real tears from either of them. So cute! Waiting to get the official photos. We should have had them sit together, but we didn't. :( We always have the Easter Bunny...

They look so nervous!

Kids Gift Idea

Love this gift idea from Snapfish.com for the little ones. Take their picture and insert it into one of several children's books.

It reminds me of a customized book I received for my birthday - must have been turning 5. My name, Barbara, was injected throughout the story. I thought it was so cool and was therefore distraught when we came home to the entire living room in disarray. This was thanks to a pissed off Schnauzer puppy named Brinkley, who was not pleased to be left home alone for the evening. My customize - therefore irreplaceable, priceless and sentimental - book was destroyed and I was bummed.

While my custom book story did not end happily, I would think this is proof positive that this gift is sure to be a home run for any small bookworm.

Cure for Cabin Fever

Gingerbread House Building Contest!!

The big event was challenged by Arctic Storm 2008, but I am actually unsure where we would have put more people beyond the 4 most dedicated participants.

Awards were impartially judged by Carter and Michelle.

Mitchell - Built the classic house, but was docked major points because it looked like a girl made it.

Zander - Won the boob prize. It was a good house, but looks like he didn't have a solid enough direction.

Barb - Won for most detailed and was the only one lame enough to still be working once Carter and Michelle finally made it over.

Jacob - hands-down winner. Won for Creativity and Overall. Cheap if you ask me - anyone could have won with a graham cracker trailer...

White Christmas or the Curse of ARCTIC BLAST 2008

Crazy, record-breaking amounts of snow, which is breaking my style. Spending Christmas day in Portland instead of LA as was originally intended. Jacob (featured in video), Mitchell (my husband, in video) and I each took turns at the Plaid Pantry with $20 to fill another's stocking. Actually turned out to be fun. We also dined with Megan and Colin, the Halls and the Mackins. It's kinda cool to observe others in their native holiday festivities. Anyway, here's hoping for a more climatic ending to the holidays. Going down to my parents' this weekend and there's a re-scheduled trip to LA. For now - a this video of the snow - from several days ago now if you can believe it.