funny shoe game

We were getting ready to go out, and I heard Ariel laughing by the door. I found her playing this game with ping pong balls and my shoe:

Merry Christmas!

 We're a little behind on blogging.  I tried to load these last week before we left for vacation, but Blogspot kept locking up.  Since Jeff got home, we've had a little "re-org" of stuff, and Ariel is in on the action.  She thought these DVDs should be taken out of the box and stacked on the kitchen floor.  That gave her more room to sit in the box and brush her teeth (with a toothbrush she stole from me.)

Daddy wears a funny hat

She laughs and touches it whenever he puts it on!

around the house (with Daddy home!)

Beautiful morning hair.

a few more Disney pictures

 These pictures are already almost a month old.  We're getting ready for our next adventure.  But I have to share these cute pictures of Schmig.  We stayed in a cheaper business hotel near Tokyo Disney.  It had 3 beds that we pushed together into one big one.  Schmig always has fun in hotel rooms.

The "Pooh's Hunny Pot" ride was closed, but we visited this Pooh at the gift shop.

Disneyland!

We went a couple weeks ago.  Ariel loves the teacups, and was brave through the Haunted House and Pirates of the Caribbean.

things she likes to do

 study numbers on license plates

pose in the mirror!

more from Mitake-san

A few more photos from our Thanksgiving trip to Mount Mitake ("Mitake-san.)  We stayed overnight at our favorite ryokan: Mitake Youth Hostel.

Beer is extra-delicious at Mitake-san.

Riding the train with Schmig.  She likes to do baby pull-ups on the triangular handles, and kisses her reflection in the metal posts.

noodle eating

Video of Ariel eating noodles with her Daddy on Mount Mitake:

Thanksgiving

 The day was sunny and warm.  I had my traditional long run, then we drove in the countryside and ate at Coco's.  Ariel was groggy in Jeff's lap after the drive.

We are thankful for our many blessings!

burrito day

 We had "sneak-preview" tickets to a free lunch at Banzai Burrito, a new eatery near us.  Luckily, it's right by a big field and playground.

Birthday and Adoption Day Boys

 We recently celebrated Jeff's birthday and Ralph's adoption day!

(Ralph really is happier than he looks in these pictures.)

eating on the couch

It's great to have Jeff home to cuddle with and help!

Jeff's home!

We picked him up yesterday at the airport!

juice video

Ariel ate quite a bit of her healthy dinner.  Until I offered her an open cup of juice:

Nene's world

Nene's "nanny" Susan came through to visit us again.  Nene was happy to see her.

my little people