Fishing Buddies

These two are bound going to get a lot of fishing in at this rate. Look at this whopper! Bro-in-law Max is liking the fishing. Dustin is liking that someone other than he likes fishing, now. And I am liking the fresh fish to over cook.

Hide-and-Seek

Wheeeeeere's Alden?

I can't find him ANYWHERE! I hope he comes back soon... I miss him.

He can stand here for over five minutes letting the tension and anticipation build until his toes are actually tapping. He's thinking, "Mama is so silly. I am pulling a fast one on her big time!"

Things on Faces

Ok. Picking up where I left off in AUGUST, my blog has decided to let me back in. My email account that had been linked to the blog had been hacked. I couldn't get into either account and have been cursing up a storm since. Then, on attempt #78, I got in this morning at 6:22 a.m. I'm still in shock.
Anyhow, the following is from May-ish when we were still in Seattle and Dustin was trying something new...

It is not like me to rush into things. I get an idea and I think about it. For a long time and from many angles. I then make a decision. And then doubt that decision and then start over. With that being said, I am changing my rules and jumping ahead of myself. I am pleased to introduce you to the new man in my life... Moustache.

For over a month now, Dustin has been growing out Moustache for me. He has been asked to allow Moustache into our lives for some time now. I have an odd fondness for moustaches. Don't tell me it a father-issue thing, it's a Hulk Hogan thang. Hubba-hubba, right? I love a good moustache on a dude that can treat it right.

Do the Thomas Dance

I've been trying to keep Alden shielded from things like Barney, The Wiggles (terrifyingly odd men with Australian accents dancing to long and complex songs), and Thomas the Tank Engine. I was trying to keep him interested in simple things like rocks and sticks and books. Selfishly, I didn't want to have a house filled with gadgets and commercialized toys that I would inevitably step on in the night and that would possibly become boring in too short of time.
Well, then enter in the era of working from home. I make over 150 phone calls each day and need to have a relatively quiet back ground so I can a) maintain professionalism, b) hear, c) not be distracted, and d) hear. Alden likes to play and talk and sing just two feet from me or often sitting right on my lap. I turned to our local Seattle library to borrow some educational videos and books on tape. We tried The Wiggles (which Dustin banned for Alden and Alden's future children), we tried Lamb Chop (a personal favorite of mine), and Pat the Bunny which is a somber look into the 3-D world of the classic touch-and-feel book. Lastly, we found Thomas. And life hasn't been the same since.



See? What do I know about the joy of children? How can you deny that? I stand corrected.

Vintage Alden

This is a decades old white poly tee with fine point red and blue stripes. Which are enhanced by the blue cloth diaper and the model's red hair.
1972 called and wants their baby back.

Second Year of Swimming Lessons

Alden loves "SHIMMING" so much that he gets all worked up the night before a lesson and practices in the bath tub. We have to spell "SHIMMING" so he can't gather what we are talking about.




This summer, we were lucky to get into the very popular Saturday morning class. It's popular for many reasons but, I think for moms everywhere, it is coveted because it gets the dudes out of the house for a precious hour on a weekend. Love it!

Copper Locks that, when wet, drizzle down to his upper scapula. Tough guy.

Too Tight