new family members

So springtime in the foothills is kitten time. Apparently we are unusual around here in that we actually get our animals spayed and neutered. For cats, the prevailing thought is "why spend all that money on something that's going to end up coyote food within a year?" Anyway, everyone is

trying to give away their hoards of kittens this time of year, so I took a couple from a friend. Introducing Cheez (orange one) and Whiz Shapiro.

Dental Adventures

Big tooth going ons at our house. After weeks of hanging by a thread, Isaac finally pulled out his first tooth! Max is sporting a new green tie dye retainer that is designed to get rid of his underbite. Both boys want to grow their hair long and in this photo of Isaac I just realized how long it is getting! Of course, it's wet, and once it dries it curls up and doesn't look that long....

Max on Stage

Max has been taking an afterschool drama class and last night they put on their performance. He had a pretty big speaking role in the play. It was the trial of Goldilocks and Little Red Riding Hood and he was the police/court officer. One of his main duties was to swear in each of the witnesses on the stand, and somehow he managed to make the lines "do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" very funny. But of course, what he was most proud of was that he was choosen out of the 40 something kids to do an improve solo dance. Don't ask me why he's wearing sparkly pants that are six sizes too big for him! He also has a drawn on goatee beard in case you're wonding what's on his face. The hat is all Max though. He wears it to school on a daily basis.

Sadly it was a bit too dark and I was too far away to get any really good photos but I decided to post the bad ones anyway. Here's a link showing the solo part of the dance performance. It started out with all the kids on stage and then they leave Max out there on his own. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDhm5JwWPh8

Just Say Sock Monkey!

My parents came to visit over winter break. The theme for the visit seemed to be centered around sock monkeys. My mom spent nearly every day making us sock monkeys, something I have been meaning to do for two years now and haven't gotten around to it. Isaac has taken to dressing his up in all of the little Build a Bear workshop clothes he's gotten for various other stuffed animals. We love our sock monkeys! It was a nice visit. Thanks mom and daddy! Miss you!

My dad also spent time helping Isaac with his reading each night. Click on the link below for a video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvk8uyK6FOY&feature=channel_page

From Mountains to Ocean...

During winter break we managed to do some ski trips and a trip to our favorite beach. Max spent a good part of our beach day sneaking up on pelicans to take their photos, so I can't take credit for those photos.....

Holidays.....

The usual carnage at xmas.....

Remembering How to Ski

Martin and the boys started the 2008/2009 ski season and have made three trips up the mountain already! After working on the bunny slopes for a bit, they tackled the beginning and intermediate slopes. Isaac is a little speed demon.....he is already off skiing on his own and riding the lift by himself! Yikes! You can see their wobbly beginnings by clicking on the video links below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZqZUPaHrE0&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FE3cCUuq-4&feature=channel

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Art Reflections Contest

The kid's school put on an Art Reflections contest this year that the boys decided to enter in the category of photography. The theme of the contest was "WOW." Max won first place in his age range (3rd-5th grades) on the photo "Silver Falls" that he took this summer on our trip to Oregon. He also entered "Funky Boots" and "Delicious Bug." His winning photo will now go on to compete at the District level.

Art Reflections Contest Part 2

Here are Isaac's three photos. He won 3rd place for the K-2nd grade division with his photo called "Mostly Ghostly" which is the spooky sunset. He also entered "King Kong Candy Corn" and "Death Ride."

Elvis's Last Moments

Halloween morning

The kids were so excited to wear their costumes to school today. Max wanted to be Elvis and Isaac the Grim Reaper.

Pet for a day

Of course, only AFTER the tarantula festival is over do we finally find a tarantula around the house. This little guy was crawling across our driveway the other day. The boys caught him and made him a little home, but we only kept him for one day, then let him be on his way to find a mate. Bye bye Hairy!

Boo!

Carving Pumpkins

It's that time of the year again, scooping slimy gut like stringy substances from the insides of pumpkins. Turned out pretty good though!

Coarsegold Tarantula Festival

Where we live, in October, the Tarantulas come out in force looking for a mate. They are often seen crossing the highways, climbing the exterior walls of houses, and so on. So our little town has an annual Tarantula Festival the last weekend in October to help raise awareness about the little hairy guys (like that they are actually quite shy gentle, and their bite will not kill you). So here are some photos of the event.