Christmas 2011!!

Click HERE to watch my Christmas 2011 video

O Christmas Tree!!

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Video, part 1:

O Christmas Tree!! (part 2)

Video, part 2:

Turkey day!

It sure doesn't seem like it sometimes, but we do indeed have a lot to be thankful for: family, love, health, a roof over our head, food in our tummies, our beautiful daughter.

Danielle, Vienne and I had a great time (as always!) in Eugene for Thanksgiving. Big thanks to Auntie Carol for the wonderful meal and hospitality.

It was good to see everyone that was there: Cousin Mike and Tammie, Cousin-in-law Jake, little cousin Aly, Jake's bro and his girlfriend, Auntie Carol and Uncle Paul, and Grandad and Grandma. Unfortunately. Auntie Awa (Andrea) was the only missing element because she's in Europe on her sabbatical. She was greatly missed.

Despite having the camera the entire time, I only recorded a little bit the morning after turkey day, right before we left to return to Portland. But it was long enough to catch Vienne playing with her cousin Aly and plenty of time for the camera's lens to catch Vienne doing her patented shimmy shake dance move.

Just chillin'

Since 90% of the time she is on the go, once in a blue moon, Vienne will sit still for a few brief moments. When she does, not only is it terribly cute, but it gives D and I a bit of a breather.

Happy Halloween to all!!

Halloween madness

Last Friday, Vienne went to her friend Charlotte's house for dinner and pumpkin carving (unfortunately, we didn't get to the carving) then this afternoon, V went to her first Halloween carnival at the local community center. There was candy, games, prizes and an awesome costume parade around the block!

Vienne loves to twirl...

....until it makes her sick and she can't stand up any longer!!

The Barney song

Like any normal 1-year-old, Vienne is madly in love with Barney. Not the actual dinosaur of course. Nor is she enamored with the man inside the suit. But rather, she is infatuated with the singing and dancing depicted on the show. Recently, Vienne has even begun singing the first few bars of the Barney theme song, after she gets through her Bobcat Goldwaith impression. It is soooooo cute!

Such a pretty pony...clippity clop clippity clop

Vienne's nana Sian got her a wonderful little pony for her birthday. Her pony, which has yet to be named (but "pony" works just fine, thank you) sings and makes horsey noises, which delights Vienne to no end. In fact, all we have to do is start singing the pony song - "such a pretty pony, clippity clop clippity clop" - and Vienne will run over to her pony for a quick "ride". Thanks Nana!

Sloppy McMessy

Vienne can't seem to eat her morning oatmeal without getting it all over herself. But secretly, I bet we all wish that once in a while, we could eat all sloppy like, just to appease the inner child in all of us.
(Click on the photos to see larger versions)

Halloween scares

Please don't think we are bad parents...but we got a chuckle recently when Vienne got a startle when she saw our new rotting friend. I'm not sure what is funnier: her reaction after seeing him or her trying to play it cool after she jumps. Classic....

Laurelhurst Park

Vienne's poppa is on paid leave from his job and one of the only upsides to it, is all the extra love and attention Vienne has gotten from having her poppa around the house full time! Vienne seems to be beside herself that her poppa has been around so much.

Earlier this week, Vienne traveled with her momma and poppa to Laurelhurst Park.
(Click on pictures to see larger versions)

Vienne made her first trek to the legendary Pumpkin Patch, out on Sauvie Island. She got all gussied up in her new skeleton outfit and we were on our way! It was a little rainy and very muddy, but V seem to have a blast looking at the goats in the barn, sitting on a bale of hay during her debut hayride and looking at all the trinkets in the gift shop. At the end of the day, Vienne wasn't pleased that we were leaving!
(Click on photos to see larger version)

Mall time with Grammy!!

On Saturday, Grammy Chris came up to visit and we all had a nice lunch at Stanford's, followed by an adventurous day at the mall!

First, Vienne had Grammy help her with her pretty pink sweater

Ok, I'm ready to go now, says Vienne!

At lunch, Vienne bravely tries to eat a lemon with disastrous results

I love when my poppa nuzzles my neck with love

Grammy providing shopping guidance. Grammy is like the shopping Yoda and Vienne is her apprentice.

What's on sale, says Vienne? And what is a sale, also says Vienne

Vienne's role models

Hey! That's me!


I'm off again....gotta hit the shoe department!

Goodbye kisses from Grammy. I'm sad when she goes, but I look forward to our next adventure at the mall.

Ok, ok. Time for one more goodbye kiss!! Thank you Grammy!!