Checking on her dolls

A Jam Hitler?

Foggy Day

We have had fog every day for quite a few days now.  So we decided we at least had to get out of the house and go for a walk.  It was pretty though.

Notice her hat.  Works great for Ally too Aunt Heather.

Notice their coats, thank you Grandma.  Here is Spencer loading the chuck-it, but he intends only to tease Indy with the idea of ACTUALLY throwing the ball.

Christmas Eve Photos

This is what mommy was thinking...

"isn't she adorable!"

This is what Ally was thinking...

"Lord save me from these people!"

Indy looking festive for Christmas

Spencer watching Christmas eve on Sesame Street for the first time

Then the kids got to open one present.  

Spencer got a Handy Manny toolbox!

Ally got a book from Aunt Gretchen

Merry Christmas 2008!

Here are some videos from our Christmas Morning. Notice the adorable pj's grandma sent. They loved them!

Spencer discovering Santa came and brought gifts.

Ally looking at her baby doll crib. Mommy made the stuffed animals. The bunny is for Ally the faceless teddy for Spencer. Don't worry teddy will get a face.

Spencer and Ally are so close in age they can share toys!

Merry Christmas to all our family in the midwest!
We love you and we thank you for all the wonderful gifts you sent us!
Stay warm and enjoy your Christmas!

Giggles

Daddy can really make her laugh!

(The hat is from a train thing Spencer got)

Christmas Tree Farm

We went to a Chrsitmas Tree Farm 2 weekends ago.

Come on everybody lets go!

Do you see all the trees here?

I found one!  Look how big it is!

Maybe we will buy this one in a few years

Taxes

Mommy and Daddy finally had a phone appointment with their accountant to do their 2007 taxes.  To keep the kiddo's quiet daddy passed thing to them under the office door.

Like pens and markers

I guess Ally can figure out how to open them

(good to know in the future)

In case this happens to you, rubbing alcohol works really well to get the marks off.

Look who's standing!

I love this ball!

This thing is so fun to crawl after

I got it now!

Look at her go!

Peek A Boo Sissy

Sometimes it is great to have the kids play together.

and sometimes things don't go as planned

Yummy!

I just love biter cookies!

(and mommy loves cookie smear)

Puzzles

Big brother isn't the only one who can do puzzles.  

First you lick it

Then put it in it's place.

I am so smart!

Look who's visiting Bethlehem!

Spencer helped mommy set up her fontanini display.  

Spencer's version of the Christmas story obviously includes Elmo and his racecar!

Yawn!

Boy I really need something to keep me awake.  

Spencer and I have been taking turns getting up every couple of hours for the past week.  We are BOTH teething.  Spencer is getting his 2 year molars and I will probably have my two top front teeth by Christmas.

Speedy Gonzalez

Spencer's Raceway!

Faster Daddy!

Handy Spencer!

On Daddy's Birthday we took these photos.

We may need to start doing our own lawn care so

we asked Spencer to check out our equipment

He was very complete with his inspection

Maybe if we brought some his tools out he could get the thing moving!

When she was learning

Just like uncle Tom, 

Ally learned to crawl backwards first which led to some funny consequences.

Oh and that's biter cookie on her face.

No idea what is on her bum, but I could guess.

She's Musical!

Mommy took this video a few weeks ago and finally had time to upload it. 

 I think we have a very musical baby girl!

Union Square

The weekend before Thanksgiving we went to Downtown SF to see the Animation Museum.  San Fran is not the most kid friendly place.  We wound up at Union Square, a big shopping area (not kid freindly at all!)  There were even steps to the elevators!  So we hung out a little in the square itself and watched the world go by.

Spencer and Daddy climbing the steps to the Square

Enjoying a snack in the square

Hangin' out looking adorable.

Play time has changed at the Mann house

See whose on the move!

And yes now with two playing the house is trashed by about 9:30 in the morning!

Santa Baby!

While Mommy was taking out the Christmas decorations Ally sat on the play button.  She didn't seem to mind there was a dancing Snowman behind her.

For the Reinacher clan...proof that I have this weird gift up in my house!

The kids love it!

More Thanksgiving

This is only some of the stuff you have to bring when traveling with a baby and a toddler.  And this was for one night in the hotel.  There was more we left in the car!

of course Ally is there for scale reference.

Daddy and Spencer with Smoky the Bear at the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.

I don't remember how this smile occurred, but we did see some good smiles once he got a good night's sleep.

After a 12 hour trip home from OR yesterday complete with Lock Smith's and hours of disney and Elmo video's we made it home safe and sound.  And for those of you wondering if we are still planning our big trip to see new babies this spring...it's too soon to ask.  Ask us in a week or so.

Happy Thanksgiving 2008!

Well we did it.  We went on a big road trip this Thanksgiving.  We went to visit some very dear college friends Sarah and Jamie.  They live in the small town of Madras, OR.  That is 9 hours from Petaluma if you were curious.  We drove almost half way on Wednesday night, and then stayed in a Motel 6 cause they accept Indy.  Spencer didn't sleep at all in the motel, so mommy and daddy took turns driving around the metropolis of Weed, CA in the middle of the night.  If it would have been a clear morning we would have seen the sunrise over Mount Shasta.  We pushed on to Madras the next morning and enjoyed thanksgiving with 19 adults, 6 or seven babies, and 7 dogs.  It was a little hectic.   Here is Ally on Saturday after our outing playing with Kia.  She was so gentle, Kia, not Ally. If you are wondering about Ally's outfit, She had a major blowout while we were on the mountian (see below) and this is the only thing that fit her in the gift shop.  Pink camo, classic.  On the rump it says "Reporting for Doodie."  Very appropriate.

Do you recognize this?  It's the hotel from the Shining.  It is half way up Mount Hood and was also our Saturday outing.  It is a really cool hotel built during the WPA days.

Imagine if you will a very tall Mountain, the tallest in OR  behind this building.  It was near freezing rain the whole time we were there and the cloud layer was so deep we had to imagine a Mountain... Oh well.