Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thanksgiving 2008 - Part 2
YES, Deacon tried the turkey! He'll be sticking with Mac and Cheese as his main sustenance, but we were happy he took the plunge.
o
Dinner time! Terri discusses the lives and loves of the House of Windsor with real-live Englishman Justin Stanley and his queen, Christi.
o
Mike, Carol and charming David.
o
After dinner... a Thanksgiving quiz!
o
o
o
With the highest score, the evening's Thanksgiving expert was Molly!
o
o
The turkey dinner was just an appetizer... time for the evening's main dish.
o
But first... I mentioned that I had prepared a tie-breaker quiz (Star Wars questions) in case the Thanksgiving quiz resulted in a tie. Confirming my contention that we had the coolest Thanksgiving guests in the world, they all requested a chance to take the Star Wars quiz anyway!
o
o
The Force was even with baby David!
o
Christi and Justin are formidable quiz-takers.
o
o
Justin proved himself to be a true Jedi Master! Ever the humble Jedi, he requested that the prize be awarded to the second-highest scorer. But the Force runs strong in his family... his son Pierce took second place!
o
Time for an Alff Family and Friends Sing-Along!! Here, power soprano Susie impressively hits (and holds) the high note in The First Noel!
o
o
Carol sings carols!
o
The band.
o
The Stanleys head home.
o
Fun with chalk! David LOVES scribbling on the porch.
o
o
Accomplished pianist Elisha, 13, provides entertainment. (And in the background, Terri, Grandma and Grandpa hang on Susie's every word.)
o
Deacon and William and a very messy room!
o
We got a great picture of the Ross family on their way out the door last year...
o
(10:30 p.m. Thanksgiving 2007)
o
So we had to stick with tradition and take another one.
o
(9:30 p.m. Thanksgiving 2008)
o
We were delighted to enjoy the company of Carol's sister Liz, her daughter Elisha, and Liz and Carol's Auntie Eleanor as well! We took a family photo, in which Maren made an unexpected appearance.
o
Again, we hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc. etc.!
o
One more thing...
o
Per our highly scientific and well-informed after-dinner conversation, is it a coincidence that I snapped this picture of a ladybug on Maren's finger the very next day?? I think not.
Watch out for those killer albino ladybugs!!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMIE!
We hope you have a very happy birthday today, and we love you very very much!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving 2008 - Part 1
Hope everyone enjoyed celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family yesterday!o
We had a great time with our guests, who, like the pilgrims, persevered good-naturedly under less than ideal circumstances.
o
Having had only one unplanned fire and a bulging dining room ceiling that didn't collapse after the previous day's bibical-type downpour, we considered the day a huge success!
o
Derek made the yard beautiful after all that rain and still had time to prepare the bird while I made stuffing.
o
Ready for a feast
o
o
The kids' table -- on the back porch!
o
An appetizer for Maren.
o
Jessica made beautiful napkin rings!
o
Deacon had never tried turkey before. Will he take a bite?? Check back soon to find out when we wrap up our coverage of Thanksgiving 2008!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Student of the Week
I'm not going to put this on my car,
o
But I'm going to put it on my blog.
o
o
Congratulations Deacon!!
o
But I'm going to put it on my blog.
o
o
Congratulations Deacon!!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Karate Kid!
Ralph Macchio had better watch his back, because Maren just broke a board with her bare foot!!
o
From November 12... Maren passed her test to advance to the next belt in her Karate class!
o
Maren suits up
o
o
Training...
o
o
Training Movie
o
The Moment of Truth! (Movie)
o
From November 12... Maren passed her test to advance to the next belt in her Karate class!
o
Maren suits up
o
o
Training...
o
o
Training Movie
o
The Moment of Truth! (Movie)
o
Maren gets her new belt! (Movie)
o
o
o
Karate Kids!
o
o
DON'T mess with Maren!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Derek's Birthday Weekend - Part 4
Welcome to the last installment (I think) of Derek's Birthday Weekend!o
There were no signs of any economic downturn at Disneyland, which was crowded and bustling.
o
o
o
o
o
o
First stop -- breakfast at the hotel.
o
Patio dining.
o
o
Mentioning that it's somebody's birthday at Disneyland sets all sorts of things in motion. Derek's birthday button ensured VIP treatment everywhere in the park!
o
o
A night-vision shot of Maren on our first ride, the Nemo Submarine!
o
Deacon, WALL-E and Maren enjoy the Nemo ride.
o
Deacon and Grandpa on the Rocket Rods!
o
Always an L.A. girl.
o
The best part of the day for the kids was Tom Sawyer's Island. Deacon immediately asked for a pen and paper, so he could draw...
o
...a treasure map!
o
Fun on the island!
o
o
o
The Pooh's Honey Pot ride had a short wait time, so everyone was happy at the Happiest Place on Earth!
o
o
o
The last ride of the day -- Splash Mountain. Fortunately nobody got soaked.
o
Sadly, I think this wraps up our coverage of Derek's Birthday Weekend. But we have exciting things yet to come on the AFB. Coming soon: Maren breaks a board with her bare foot in her Karate class. Really!
