Big Guy

Left alone to some creative play, we came back to see this. We don't know for certain, but we think he's quite advanced for 8 months.

The Midwest Couldn't Keep Them for Long...

After long hiatus, our friends the Websters are back in the Northwest! We have missed them immensely, and although we're sad that they're not in SPOKANE, Seattle is WAY CLOSER than Wisconsin. :) We got to reunite with them--and meet their little Liam!--at the Van Sickles over Veteran's Day weekend.

What a clan! Three high chairs (Kai is hiding behind Alea), three big girls, and the six of us. What a sweet evening. So glad you're back, Websters! We're coming to see you next!

The Lochhead's Early Thanksgiving

We celebrated an early Thanksgiving with the Lochhead/Birchill clan over Veteran's Day weekend when Uncle Drew, Aunt Annie, and Swede were in town. The pictures I took didn't capture the great food, the 17 loved family members--wow, how did we get to that number already!--or the coziness of Scott and Colleen's house...but I did capture the KIDS and DOGS. :) They take the best pictures, anyway.

Josh got some good bonding time with Aunt Annie. He's quite fond of her.

...and the big girls have a favorite activity to do with their grandparents: JUMPING ON THE BED! What monkeys.

Can you hear the giggles?

"One, two, THREEE!" Gracie and Janie couldn't get enough.

We celebrated Annie's birthday early, too. She had LOTS of help unwrapping gifts. Won't Christmas be fun this year?

Thanks for bringing your parents to see us, Swede!

Have a bite, Joshy.

November Snow...

+ New Boots...
= Can't look at the camera, Mom.

GO ZAGS!!!

While we're biting our nails, watching the GU vs. San Diego State game, I will offer my heart a distraction and post these pics that I took the other day while Gracie was still napping... Go Zags!

Kids' Dedication

On Sunday, November 14, we dedicated Grace and Josh at church. It was a blessed day--so many of our friends and family were there to show their love for our kids. We are so incredibly blessed!

Gracie's Book Pick

This is Gracie's latest obsession. TOY STORY 3, given to her by G'ma Colleen for Halloween. This girl won't sit in front of the TV for more than 5 seconds, but she'll have you read a book to her 5 million times in one day. :) She doesn't like to sit through the whole book, at age 2, but each day she sits for one page more than the day before. As you may expect, she has the thing memorized. I read the first part of a sentence and she fills in the rest.

Mom: "For a long time, Woody the cowboy felt as if he was..."

Grace: "...the luckiest TOY in the world!"

***SPOILER ALERT*** If you don't know yet, this book has Andy going off to college and putting his toys in boxes. This has inspired Gracie to pack her canvas drawers to the brim with toys--and her bags and purses--and if you ask her what she's doing, she'll inform you: "I'm packing up for college!"

Sheeesh. Childhood went by so fast.

Joshy's moving...

...but he's still too slow to outrun the camera!

Grace only lasted for one picture--Josh tugged

her hair and she was out of there!

Okay, those CHEEKS...with a pair like that you get 1,000 kisses a day!

Love this profile! So distinct, even from day one.

Classic. :) I expect to see this same expression when he's ten

and he's been told it's time to turn off the video games...

(Perhaps I've seen this look before on a 30-year old

Lochhead when the same idea is suggested???)

Happy Halloween!

Joshua the Dinosaur

Gracie the Ladybug