SAM

As a surprise Christmas/good report card celebration, we took the boys to Seattle for two exciting exhibits: Picasso and Harry Potter. Neither allowed cameras, which was just as well, since I forgot mine in the hotel room the first night. But I did manage to snap this just outside the Picasso gallery at the SAM. The jacket is made entirely of military dog tags. Haunting, yet beautiful. The boys were well-behaved and complete gentlemen despite their being quite tired by the end of the exhibit.

And Harry Potter. Well, words can't describe their excitement at seeing the real wands, Buckbeak, Fawkes, Dobby, and all the wardrobes from the movies. We actually spent just as much time in the gift shop afterwards as we did in the actual exhibit. Brian and I simply walked around with our jaws dropping to the floor... $45.99 for a scarf. Really? $75 for the Maruader's Map. As if the tickets were free. But the joy in their eyes and voices as they literally ran from room to room was ... priceless.

my music men(yeah, we got trouble, right here in anacortes)

Logan's big recital went swimmingly. Twenty five students, a couple of hours, and some good cookies later, we finally arrived home for a late dinner with Oma and Opa. Not to be upstaged by his performing brother, Michael added flare to the evening by gracing us with his harmonica, dancing, and directing skills. The video is more elaborative, but these still will have to suffice.

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock...
Opa, under the direction of Maestro Michael

Western Kegels Thanksgiving/Christmas

Since Gramma and Papa are going to NJ this year, not only will we not be with them for Christmas, but neither will their nieces and nephews(sniff sniff). So we just had to have Christmas early(and Elizabeth's birthday). Really, it was all about Ava.... and pretty drinks in pretty glasses.

This was an impromptu picture. Had I been more on the ball, I would have had a few more people actually sitting on the couch. Sigh.

MMmmmmm. Tasty.
Michael is a patient and loving teacher. If she doesn't know Ode to Joy after sitting with him, we're all in trouble; he plays it 4 million times a day.

Thanksgiving morning

Well, we didn't have water, but we had heat and electricity, Gramma and Papa, and SNOW. The greatest thing about snow on Thanksgiving morning...? Brian took the boys up to their school to snowboard(it's the closest hill), and Gramma and I got to do laundry next door at the preschool(remember, no water) and start on the dinner.
We enjoyed the white all afternoon until regular Anacortes weather took over, and alas, we were left with our typical gray backdrop. No worries, we feasted on a scrumptious turkey we had fried the night before at our dear friends' party. And we had a wonderful day with Gramma and Papa. As per our tradition, we got our Christmas tree the following day and had Chinese take-out while we decorated that night. I'm not sure where my camera was hiding because I mysteriously have no pictures of the family fun.

piano for sale

not to be upstaged by the kids...

Assistant Principal Hanrahan got to get "pie-ed" at Little Mountain's Harvest Festival. Many a student lined up to throw a shaving cream pie in Mr. H's face... including his own son.
Joseph, complete with technicolor coat and Mrs. Potiphar. Michael took this lovely picture of us and apparently, he thought the crystal needed to be in the picture, too.
What the heck? When Michael decided not to wear it at the last minute, I thought, hey, I can be an owl just as convincingly. Not as cute, but...

Treats, definitely treats!

This costume came together minutes before trick-or-treating. We had been to so many parties all weekend, and Michael had worn the owl costume he had begged me to make, but he just really wanted to be something scary. Fine. Put some teeth in and grab your cape. You go, kid!
Logan so wanted to be a sea monster. After searching for gauze, cellophane, and the other makings of a cool sea monster, I decided to actually purchase the costume this year. ugh, shudder to think. How can such a sweet face possibly scare anyone?

We've been reading the Legends of Ga'Hoole series, so Michael wanted to be Soren the owl. I asked him 72 times if he was sure he didn't want to be Harry Potter, or the cool Ninja costume from last year. No. He wanted to be an owl. And a fine owl he was.

Hayride 2010

The annual hayride was the best ever this year: perfect cool, clear weather, fantastic chili, incredible desserts, and the two best things--a hayride and an uber bonfire. Wow. Duane and David Vaagen and Uncle Erne outdid themselves. After most of the hundred guests left, there were only a few straglers(the usual suspects: Porths, Uncle Erne, and Vaagen brothers, and Elizabeth and company). Someone started timing how long it would take a can to melt. That led to roasting wine bottles. Eventually, everything left on the food and beverage tables was being burned, which made clean up quick and easy. Too fun.
Helping with Gramma's fluffy eggs.



work hard, play hard.


The only thing missing from this annual picture is our friend, Bo.

Try to Remember the Time in September

Lazy days of Blokus and Monopoly coming to an end. We spent many a summer night playing games, some that lasted for days. Monopoly actually brought out the worst of Logan, who proved to be a real estate tycoon. Not charitable at all.
I can never really comment on Michael... I have no insight into his ways. All I know is that he is always donning some costume, hat, scarf, high heels, or in this case, tape. Again.. what is there to say? I love this kid dearly and simply enjoy watching the show.
Soccer. To so many parents around the country this is life for several months each fall. We love it. When it's not raining. And we've been extremely lucky this season. Both boys got on "black" teams this year. Convenient. Logan's team is "The Blacks"(???? PC????) and Michael's is "The Black Snakes". Joy. Brian is coaching Michael's team and thoroughly enjoying the time with Michael. We don't keep score; we just have fun. Good mantra for this year's team. Logan's team, however, is undefeated and lovely to watch. Just very pretty soccer playing. He is even going to be on an indoor team late fall into winter just to keep his foot touching the ball. He enjoys soccer, but continues to obsess about running. His mile time is done to 6:32 and he wants to get 6:00 by the end of the school year. His goal is to come in the top 5 for the Fun Run( a 2 mile race around hilly Washington Park, usually 75 kids or so). Last year as a 2nd grader, he took 7th.

In my mind I'm going to Carolina

Our annual field trip was Destination Seattle this year. We've done Friday Harbor, Port Townsend, and Minna's backyard, but it doesn't really matter where we are; we ALWAYS have a freaky good time.

Friends since '88. WOW.


Fun times at Washington Park



If there's one thing that defines summer it's lazy afternoons with the Ahn clan. We've been getting together since our babies were only 3 months old and thank goodness, they are the best of friends... a continent apart. Each June the Arrival countdown begins, and when they finally arrive, it's a daily race to get through breakfast so that Romy and Alexander can come over.

67 Grand slams and counting

I forgot my camera at Opa's party, but here are some pics of the cake. He was very surprised... in his queit Opa fashion. Yes, I made two cakes. The grandkids couldn't believe the ball was edible, and one cousin asked how I fit the bat cake in my oven.