The Martians have Landed

It was father/kid night at preschool recently and the theme was Space. Here are pics before dad and I went off to whoop it up with my classmates. Fiona was bummed that she couldn't go with us, so decided to get into the spirit of things at home.

Another First for Fiona

This is Fiona during her first haircut last week. Mom accidentally messed up her iPhone, losing all the other photos and videos of the experience, so this is all we have. Fiona did a very good job during the haircut and was glad to have her long bangs out of her eyes.

I was a good boy, too, and received a cool race car toy as a prize for being patient and well-behaved.

Fiona's First Girly Toy

Fiona has endured playing with all of my trucks and machinery, so mom decided that it was time to get a traditionally girly toy for Fiona. Yesterday we trekked to our local Target and picked up a baby doll and stroller for Fiona to play with --- and she loves it. Lots of feeding and cuddling going on around here.

We love our new house! Lots of room to roam and play, with big machinery and work crews in the neighborhood finishing the other houses. We're looking forward to meeting other neighbors soon.

A little bit busy...

My mom and dad have found themselves somewhat preoccupied these days and haven't been able to help me update the blog. The reason is that in a few weeks, we're moving into our new house. This is a picture of the house under construction out in Issaquah and I can't wait to move in to my new room that will be void of monsters, pirates and elves. More later...

Some pre-Christmas activities...

A grandparent-mandated Christmas photo at Kiddie Kandids:

The aftermath of licking candy canes while visiting Santa at the Space Needle:

My PEPS group Christmas brunch - notice that I'm still in the same spot as when I was 4 months old (second photo below- i'm wearing yellow and green):

Helping Grandma and Grandpa find and cut down a tree while avoiding bodily harm to Oso:

A week in Maui --- a tough job for little people

Where are we?

Hmm.... more photos to come.

Halloween

This year Halloween was super-fun because I was joined not only by my sister, Fiona, but by cousin Yamima and little cousin Lawrence (he just slept most of the time).

Here we are getting ready at mom and dad's house for the harvest party at church. I'm a king, Yamima a princess, and I also decided that Fiona had to be a princess, too.

Grandma Tripp wrangling the toddlers

Photo op time at the church harvest party

Two wee princesses


Lawrence's first Halloween

Arts and crafts projects

Gourd bowling, though I decided to use an plastic bowling ball instead. I won some playdough!


Yamima had a good time at the party, though you wouldn't know by this picture

Poor Princess Fiona all tuckered out

Busy Fall

We've been very busy around here between preschool, avoiding big rain puddles, celebrating fall, and trying to stay healthy. Here are a few photos from recent jaunts in the last month to a fun farm near Grandma and Grandpa's house in Redmond and to the pumpkin farm this last weekend.







This is our annual visit to the South 47 Farm in Woodinville. The rain was horrible just before we visited, so most of the pumpkins were sitting in many inches of mud. Mommy wouldn't let me post the family group shot since it might end up on our Christmas card.



After becoming a fan of s'mores this summer while visiting Seabrook, I was sad that we couldn't have them again. That is until mommy made them in the oven the other night. Delish! And so easy, too.

Fiona at 12 months

My sister just went in for her 1 year doctor's appt and here is the stat update:

Height: 30 1/4 inches (75-90%)
Weight: 22 lbs 9.5 oz (75%)
Head: 48 cm (above 95%)

The interesting thing is that Fiona is now more or less the same weight that I was at 6 months of age. Wow! I was a big, strapping kid. Watch out NFL!

Few more Fiona party photos

Since the weather didn't cooperate much, we decided to eat at our neighborhood Zeek's pizza prior to the yummy cupcakes and presents at home:


Can I have my cupcake NOW?!!


Uncle Andrew, mom and Fiona posing:


Mom and dad made some super cool labels for the special birthday drinks (Jones Soda Orange & Cream):

Two kinds of cupcakes to choose from - oh boy!

Cousin Yamima and I decided to help Fiona open presents:




The obligatory family shot:

Uncle Andrew, Grandpa and Papa feeling groovy:

Uncle Matt is a funny guy:

Here's grandma sitting in my chair with the birthday girl:

Fiona making a huge mess of her cake:

Fiona decided to give out kisses after her bath:

Sneaky Fiona found my construction goggles and put them on: