Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Top of the mornin' to ya!
Oh, holidays are such fun! Where are the green bagels?







I came to pick up Kate from speech, and she was wearing this hat she (and the teacher) had made. Too funny! She went off to preschool on St. Patricks Day, the next day, wearing it.










When I pick up Kate at lunch time, she will often ask to take a short walk, signing 'bridge' and pointing. So we go back up to the parking lot to get Murphy, who is anxiously wagging his tail in hopes that he will be invited along. Okay, Murph, come on. Then we all head back down to the wooden bridge over the stream.




The other kids on the playground all came running as one kid yelled, "Wolf! I see a wolf!" Kate let them know, "That my dog, Murphy". It wasn't said very clearly, but the other kids seem to understand her just fine. Murphy ran across the bridge and then down into the stream, with water above his chest. He looked like he was at doggy summer camp, and I swear he was smiling.



Kate has slipped a couple times on this hill before, so she usually wants me to carry her down it. She was being adventurous today though.

I wish I had my camera handy when I first picked her up. The playground and climbing structure were covered in green-clad preschoolers. It looked like a bunch of leprechauns.



These are the days, in particular, I love being a parent. When your kids are so funny, and happy, and you know they're making memories they'll look back on fondly. Parties at school or preschool, green frosting cookies and construction paper hats.





"Cheese!" :)

Goin' To The Park

Kevin and Amanda took Kate, Ryan and Murphy to the park, a block from our house.

















Kate, marching along, having no trouble keeping up with Dad and Murphy. If in the stroller, Kate will say/sign, I want out, I want to walk.






Kevin and Amanda with the ol' self portrait.







I'm coming Amanda!!





A sweet guy, almost 6 years old.



















Doesn't this picture just cry out for a caption? I just love this picture. I keep looking at it. What was she looking at? The clouds? The tops of the Eucalyptus trees? What was she thinking or feeling when this picture was taken?








Sit down Kate and let's spin you!









This is fun, Ryan! You gotta try it!






Oh, I love this!







Wow! This goes pretty fast if you lift up your feet!


She looks so tiny in that big swing!






Every kid in the park eventually makes his way to this tree. It's a big, shady tree, with nice low branches. What's not to love?



This is our Kate...perfectly captured in a picture.
Funny, energetic, cute and full of life. What a great kid! She fits in perfectly in our family. I wholeheartedly believe she was part of our destiny as a family. I hope she looks back on these pictures and remembers the joy she felt as they were taken. What a great feeling to be 3!

Amanda's pictures of Kate & Ryan

While Amanda was here visiting, she borrowed Kevin's camera, and instantly figured out the bells and whistles, (without looking at the directions), taking one great picture after another of the little kids. I didn't even know our camera could take black and white photos with a color at the same time!





There's so many pictures in this group that I love. I don't even know which one is my favorite. I think this one is destined to be framed, though. They both look happy in these pictures.

My Big Sister Amanda Is Here!

My big sister Amanda is here to visit!
She's 19, and lives with her mom in Washington. I like when she comes to our house.






When Amanda came down, she liked my polar fleece Christmas blanket,

so I taught her how to sew one for herself! (Mommy helped) She even made a second one. They looked really good.



















When Amanda is here, she takes me to the park, and we play.










She lets me help make the brownies, and then I get to lick the bowl and spatula. (I like that! :)














She takes me Starbucks and buys me a Strawberries and Cream Frappacino...with extra whipped cream. We laugh and take pictures of ourselves.




This is me, Manda & Mommy at Souplantion. We always go to Souplantation at least once, while Amanda's here. Manda likes the salads, I like the macaroni & cheese. We both like the frozen yogurt!






We took pictures by the fisherman's wharf, near all the boats. Manda and Bryson wanted to go to Pt. Loma Sea Foods, and I'm always up for eating! Bring on the food!





Bryson was playing a hiding game in his hands.




I like it when Bryson spins me around. I always sign 'again! again!'



We have fun with Amanda!