Sun Sets On

it would be such a lovely setting



would these be the last photos of us in 2011?



probably not

Who's The Ones You Chose

Hanging out with my kid, my wife, Eric and Fatih and hopefully chowing on some delicious Turkish food and having a confetti fight.

With A Sip And A Bang

tonight's entertainment

I think we're ready

How To Spend The End

She's being cute here.



Yuula warmed up the daybed for our visitors.



They arrived late but healthy.



Looks like Yuula already knows what she wants next year for Christmas.



Will it be the iPad3 by then?



In order to give Fatih a true Pocono experience we had to take him to the bazaar on 209. The vendors were less than plentiful but I think he got the idea.



Yuula just ran around like she owned the place.



Maybe she does.

What Else But Freakouts

Eric and Fatih arrived late last night and since we had a good ol' laugh til 2am hearing stories of police brutality and whatnot, everyone slept in this morning and is full of energy. And of course we played with Eric's latest gizmo...














It really brought Yuula out of her shell and now she's on act three of an eight act ballet dance to channel 800, the electronic disco pops.

Takes A Bow Like None Other

that's a mess

Alien Prequel?

Looking forward to the 2012, here's something I can get excited about. Seems like a little prequel to the Alien namesake and looks like a pretty cool movie in general. Comes out in June or something, so I'm guessing it'll be on DVD by next Christmas which is when I will get the chance to see it. Already starting my gift list.

Immediate Play Potential

This is a weird thing to do when you open a gift. I probably shouldn't try it with mine.



It's not as weird as my parents sudden and simultaneous "YAY!"

The Greatest Gift Of Peace Of Mind

So far my favorite gift for Christmas (besides my slippers which have not come off my feet for 4 days now) is the new video baby monitor. Such peace of mind while I'm at the computer, knowing what she is up to, if she's really sleeping or climbing the crib rails. If she's behaving herself watching Super Why or stoking the fire with her bare hands. Yes it does have a slight Paranormal Activity vibe to it, but I can't wait to use it as a hidden camera and do some secret reconnaissance. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.



I caught her today relocating some Christmas balls from one side of the tree to the other. I let her.

Sliding Like A Lifer

I'm so happy she did the excited thing on Christmas morning. That's all that I was hoping for.

Weird Week In Between

The time between Christmas and New Year's is always very strange for me. My body can't decide if I'm still on a holiday or if it's back to weekday workday like usual. I have my regular but it's with Christmas cookies. I listen to music while I work but it's Christmas carols. And I'm still turning on the lights out on the house at night, so...

Here's the past couple days, post-Christmas


Here's Yuula as what can best described as her pink nightmare phase, possessed kitty-dog and all.


Vic and Laura had a labyrinth showdown. Neither made it past turn 7, tho Laura gave up much earlier while Vic stayed up late into the evening alone in the dining room.


While Yuula was taking a nap the other day I decided to build her a nice sturdy structure she could topple first thing when she wakes up. She did.


We got a package in the mail from Yuula's boy-love in GA. Maybe we left that sweater behind on purpose.


Vic and Danielle served up some delicious pasta with sauce from scratch like only Italians can. We stretched it out over 7 meals.


And Yuula has added yet another aspect to her evening dance routine. A dance partner named Angelina the Ballerina. I can't tell who has better technique.

Bouncing With Big Bear

Family Photo Fails

Very few times in the past have we ever attempted a full on family photo at Christmas. This year, with the two most recent additions it seemed only right timing and in the late of the evening in between cooking experiments and nogging it thru Emmet Otter we attempted the un-attemptable.

shot #1

not terrible, could very well be framed and hung proudly, overlooking Yuula's wardrobe malfunctions

shot #2

here we have Dylan finding something much more interesting in the tree to focus his attention on, could work if we go with the story that we got him a Cousin It mask for Christmas

shot #3

this one I forgot to set the timer so no one, including the lens, is prepared

shot #4

finally we get the toddlers to behave, but it's the adults who seem to have been moved by the Holy Spirit

Give Me Ninja Jedis

Watch to the end, it's pretty funny

Christmas Was Here

scarves, trampoline, eggnog, puzzles, Santa hats, jacket, family, glasses, socks, hugs, peace of mind, peace on Earth, lights, records, monkey, Russian beer, slide, pickle, recliner, cakes, slippers, tree, carols, perfume, boots, eggs goldenrod, canvas, Emmet Otter, rocking horse, hot ham and apple cheese, sweaters, naps, bumblebee, kitties, giggles, pajamas, shrimp, toys, milk, Rudolph, cooking, stockings, grocery cart, cookies, presents, blocks, dog, s'mores, wine...






















...and still going