Come fly with me.

We went on an early morning stroll Christmas Eve morning and found we had the beach nearly to ourselves. The salty air is just so good, it makes you feel like you can fly!

10, 9, 8...

All the way down to 'BLAST OFF!' Christmas was wonderful and as always we were completely spoiled by all our friends and family. The boys must have done something right this year as Santa paid them quite a visit. Walter's top gift is probably his new Furby, while Owen received quite a cool rocket from Santa. We took advantage of an absolutely beautiful day and went to fly it this afternoon. We did two launches and are all eager to do it again. We are hoping for another mild day tomorrow...

After I was able to test out my new hiking shoes while we enjoyed a short walk in the country side. This also has us eager for more. Perhaps we can get a few miles in tomorrow...the sun will come out tomorrow...bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow...

Fingers crossed! x

FBF - December 2009

Grandpa Monster dressed up like Santa this year...and Owen saw right through it saying "That's Grandpa Monster, I can see his shoes!" Walter didn't seem to mind!

Jeremy is at Heathrow right now, picking up his parents as I type. Christmas is coming!

I was just thinking that Chippy will lay another egg today.

I've thought Owen someday may become an artist, an industrial designer, perhaps a sculptor, maybe a professional athlete...but lately there is a new thought. I think he might grow up to be a farmer.

Their school recently got two chickens and he has been a key player in getting them there. It started with building the chicken coop, then researching the many varieties of chickens, talking to families with chickens, calling up farmers and eventually going to a farm to catch the chickens to bring back to school. Now that they are at school, he has cared for them, taught most of the children in school how to handle them and care for them and he even collected the first egg.

This morning I came downstairs to a quiet house and figured the boys must still be sleeping. However, I found a light on in the living room and Owen sitting quietly on the sofa. We exchanged some morning snuggles and he told me he was sitting thinking about the chickens and that he was sure 'Chippy' would lay another egg today. It was such a striking moment for me as normally when he gets up he goes straight to building or creating something, but this morning he was still, and thinking about those beautiful birds. Its so fun to see him grow up and is so exciting to see how he continues to impact this world.

Owen and Woodchip aka 'Chippy"

Woodchip & Snowy

41.

Happy 41st Anniversary to my mom & dad! I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating together. We love you!

no offense, dad, but maybe its alright that you're losing your hair...

my favorite wedding photo - my parents & both sets of grandparents!

FBF - December 2010

Christmas at my Grandma's on Rainy Lake! Kind of missing the idea of a snowy, sledding, ice-skating filled Christmas...but not terribly.

Happy Birthday Joanne!

We are looking forward to celebrating with you here in a few short weeks!

Bucking slug.

The newest slug inspired game being played around our house is 'bucking slug'. Basically, one boy is in a sleeping bag and the other gets on top. The one in the sleeping bag goes crazy trying to get the other off. Try it out in your own home if you'd like. Its lead to many laughs here...but also made us a few minutes late for school today...

I've been hearing rumblings of lots of snow, icy roads and ridiculously chilly wind chills back home and am feeling rather pleased to be in mild Brighton these days. We enjoyed a beautiful walk in the country yesterday. When I downloaded the photos, I smiled at the amount of 'arms reached out flying' poses I captured. There is something about running in wide open spaces and particularly down hills that just makes you want to fly.

FBF - December 2008

Bath night! Owen is newly 4 and Walter is nearly 18 months...how do they grow so quickly.

I keep seeing weird things around the house...

And I think it might be elves. (Owen)

We celebrated our first veggie Thanksgiving on Sunday. I was feeling rather bummed about missing celebrating on the actual day, but did a full day of design and retail therapy on Friday in London to make up for it. We then had an Indian feast at Jer's colleague's in honor of Thanksgiving on Saturday, followed by our own on Sunday. A pretty great Thanksgiving weekend after all.

at the V&A 

Wondering how it has taken me over a year to get to this place...

We also got our tree and decorated our house on Sunday. Jer had some wood delivered so we are now enjoying fires nightly, with the glow of the Christmas lights as well. The boys are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first gifts under the tree...which will likely happen while they are at school on Friday! Such an exciting time of year.

did I mention the new tree house?