Sorry, I’m too tired to edit much so I basically picked them all.

The pumpkins we carved Halloween 2006. I think mine is the bottom.

Driving in awful Seattle rush hour traffic. Circa fall 2006.

Two weeks old!

Two months!

Welcome to town. Also I don’t think I’ve ever posted a picture of Ali’s forked tongue before.

Thundercade!

Yo Alyss!

Two teeth.

Eating out.

So innocent.

Mischevious.

Kissing Elmo.

At the park.

Box hat.

Trying again…please bear with me and check out the adorable-ness that is Shayla [and Ali and Tony reading to them both, but basically Shayla steals the spotlight]. For the backstory on the repost click here.

When we were in Seattle (which now seems like ages ago!), Ali went down the slide for the first time at a park near Billie’s. Which she loved! See below:

I love this video. It was when we were at my parents’ house a few weeks ago and I gave Ali a whole apple to…eat? Entertain her? Whatever. Also, I will hopefully soon be able to re-upload the Shayla video (a must see!) with sound.

And, we just got back from our night in Seaside a few hours ago. Had a great time. Working on some pics from there too. As well as a shipwreck uncovered by our house and the latest on the duplex next door. So much to blog about, so little time!

Something I’ve heard TWICE in the last week. It brings back so many memories. And, it’s funny, right after Ali was born I honestly wanted only boys born. If not everywhere, then at least close to us and her. But now she’s older, we are all more secure in who she is. Now I can handle new baby girls. Bring on the PINK!

In honor of the upcoming two girls in Cynthia’s household, a practice run with dear Shayla. Who, btw, is SO smart at two and a half. Just listen:

This is another old video when Ali was first learning to turn pages. The second one is her reading "Elmo’s guessing Game about Colors," with which she is basically obsessed.

I just now got around to uploading a number of videos. The first is from nearly a month ago, Ali playing the "cup game" with her daddy and thinking it’s hilarious.

The second is her and I sharing an apple. Both from the same night, so they get to share a post as I’m not feeling a bit overwhelmed and backlogged. More to come!

While in Seattle, we were lucky enough to take Ali to a Birds class at The Little Gym. Though, to be fair, she wasn’t supposed to be there. Under ten months was supposed to go to a Bugs class but I fudged on her bday because there weren’t any of her age groups’ while we were still in town and also because she loves older kids so much and is advanced I knew this class was better for her. I was right. She had such a good time. Probably even more fun than swimming. It was such a fun thing to watch, to be a part of. Awesome. Those are the kinds of things you miss out in the boonies. Pros and cons I guess. Pros and cons…

At last they are available online. But with oh-so-low resolution. Lame. Lame Lame LAME! Anyway….here are a few, there are some more in the Easter 2008 album. We hope to pick up our prints soon, they are available on April 8th. Two hours away. So who knows.

So much to do to get ready for the gathering we’re having today. Not including blogging!

It is so, so nice to be home. The drive was gorgeous. Ali did great. I’m so glad I cleaned up a bit before we left. It’s quiet, inside the house and out. I don’t miss living in the city (ok, suburbs). Ali was so cute when we first got back. She totally knew she was home and you could just tell she was more comfortable here. Suddenly she is SUCH a little explorer, crawling from room to room and checking everything out. Trouble, trouble. 

Though we are glad to be back, we did have a wonderful two weeks. Thanks to my parents and Tony’s mom, who each allowed us to invade their homes for a week. Thanks to our siblings who had to put us with a baby coming first in nearly all regards. Thanks to all the friends and family who made an effort to get together with us. There were a lot of good times had and we look forward to doing it again. But NOT TOO SOON.

We did so much stuff that I hope to break the posts us so as to give some events the attention they deserve. Also there are some videos and stuff but those are a pain to upload so they will probably trickle through in the next few weeks. How is the new design for you all? I really hope you are enjoying it as much as we are. Lastly, our baby was nine months old yesterday. I have no words for that…

The snow at Billie’s house.

Ali at Pike’s Place.

And her parents.

At the park.

Playing Nana Kris’ piano.

Checking out the cat food.

Playing outside with Uncle Dave.

Sucking her toe.

Making a mess as usual.

Little Miss Independent.