inai inai, ba!

(I'm not here, I'm not here, here I am!)

Here's a short video of Ariel playing peek-a-boo. She never showed much interest before, and frankly, I find peek-a-boo annoying. But she came up with her own version. Maybe it was a Dora episode that got her going:

autumn at home

We're in the Christmas spirit already!

(Yes, Mom, they are all white lights. They are already installed on the tree. It's easy and simple and will have to do. Any more wires, and the cats go batty with them.)

Skyping Jeff in his dorm room in Kabul.

Sleeping Beauty and Prince D-Mon.

Having fun thinking about self-feeding. She will put a handful of food to her mouth and smile, but doesn't eat much that way.

The big toy giveaway: Audrey & Brian let us pick out some toys as they get ready to move. Thanks so much for the special toys! We might come back for more! Pretty outfit courtesy of Grandma Barb and Papa Rich.

Sarah, Ariel, and Flat Daddy.

Walking!

The shoes are hand-me-downs from Marina & Kent. They're Swedish shoes.

"Watch me twirl my leaf."

Ariel & her flat Daddy

Ariel was interacting with her "Flat Daddy" poster, but as soon as I turned on the camera, she was off to play. Still, you get an idea:

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving, family and friends!

And special thanks to "TaTa and Unca P" for all the help with Doraemon yesterday. Thanks to you, he is wearing his healing collar.

extreme close-ups

Doraemon had surgery today to remove a mass from his cheek. We don't know what it was yet. But he's doing well, and is back to his baby-gate-leaping self already.

his sutures

precious Doraemon

Ariel is ready to nurse him back to health.

the three amigos

Ariel has a cold, so we've been taking it easy.

We're hooked on "Dora the Explorer"!

Fall in our neighborhood

farewell, downstairs pack-n-play

Ariel claims she doesn't want to nap in the downstairs Pack n Play anymore. She prefers the couch. (I adore the back of her head - do pictures do it justice?)

Doraemon and Ralph read my mind, so took a long brotherly nap in it.

Sweet brothers.

a visit to Dream Academy

It was a beautiful fall day

(note the shoes - she started wearing shoes Nov. 13th.)

so we strolled the neighborhood, then over to Barbara's house

Barbara runs a home daycare (the "Dream Academy"), and set up this amazing toyland. They're moving soon, so I wanted to capture it in photographs! Next time I'll get the backyard.

Kids and adults love it. Barbara has packed a lot of fun and love into this little base house.

Not pictured, are dogs Trixie and Ralph.

"Where shall I start?"

Audrey shows off the kitchen while Brian fries up some sushi.

a few more Florida photos

I uploaded our Florida photos on Flickr. Here is a sampling. We had a nice long visit there.

Ariel at the controls


"flying" at Hurlburt Field

playing at Ft. Rucker in her new raccoon pj's

We visited our old stomping grounds a couple hours north at Fort Rucker.

at the soft playground with Dad

Happy adoption day, Ralph

8 years ago we brought home this sweet boy. We knew he was ours when he did a somersault for us in his cage.

We love you, Ralph!

Halloween

(These pictures are from a few weeks ago - still catching up.)

a good start at the Holiday Inn breakfast

This sand is so soft!

Getting ready


We visited old friends, Kelli & Jiro, and all their pets for Halloween. Kelli and the dogs trick-or-treated with us on their street.

"Okay, now I'm mellow after playing with all those cats & dogs."

the pre-brief

"Hi precious little shark!"

Happy birthday, Jeff!

We love you and miss you.