Legopalooza 2010

Sam requested a Lego birthday party this year. We did the best we could to accommodate him. A few Lego activities mixed in with the regular birthday party bedlam. I tried with the cake, I really did, but you can tell I was a cake decorating class drop out. Please don't google Lego cakes immediately after looking at this--wait a couple of days to let the memory of mine fade. At least the kids recognized it. If Sam wants a Lego cake again next year, maybe I'll try my luck with fondant. And next year he'll have enough candles to fill up the brick!

How many kids can fit inside the secret compartment of the bunk bed?

Lego building game

scavenger hunt for the Lego cake


another year bites the dust

whirlwind TX trip

This past weekend I jetted to suburban Houston with my bro Daniel to visit our Grandpa Bob. We really had a fun time, and even though the trip was short, we did a lot with Grandpa. And let me tell you, he is incredible. At 98.5, he is slowing down a bit, but that's mostly just physically. We talked and sang and ate and shopped with him, just like we've always done. He's cracking jokes and chatting up the aides in his abode and asking for more hot sauce at his favorite Mexican restaurant. It was truly fabulous to see him and spend time with him.

Bonus: I got to hold my cousin's four-day old baby Levi. And by the way, this is her 12th child! As always, I was impressed by her cool, collected demeanor. Can you imagine?

waiting for dinner

Tonight we ordered pizza, and as we sat around outside waiting for it to arrive, Sam made a sign. The pizza guy was amused and pleased (I guess touched would be too strong a word). He said no one had ever made him a sign before, and that he didn't even need to know the address because he could immediately recognize his destination. Sam is saving the sign.

First Grade!!

Cape Cod

Cousins, beach, mini-golf, dessert, etc. Awesome.

still here--summer recap so far

I've become so lazy about posting to this thing. I'm sorry to the one or two of you who still check it. I've been sucked into putting up photos on Facebook (argh!) because it's easier, but I still want to maintain this. So here are a few.


We went to Utah for a family reunion and birthday celebration for my mom.

Oscar got a haircut and learned how to walk (actually, he couldn't walk in this photo, but until I put up a movie of him walking this is the best you'll get).

Sam and Abe got short haircuts and built lots of things out of legos.

My brother Daniel and I did a sprint triathlon, cheered on by Aaron and the kids.

I almost hesitate to say it because I might jinx it, but here goes anyway: MORE TO COME.

happy day

My three monsters on Mothers' Day 2010.

See all that clean laundry in the background? Still waiting to be folded.