Holiday Greetings to All

One morning last week Lyell woke up saying, "There's snow outside, mama.  It's snowing."  The only thing I can figure is that all the seasonal books we are reading made their way into his dreams, and subsequently into his first waking moment.  As he ran to the window to look for the freshly fallen snow from his mind's eye, poor Lyell was greeted by yet another crystal clear blue sky California day.  We have had the driest December in 100 years, according to the various almanacs, and Lyell's dreams of a white Christmas may have to wait until next year.

Somehow, amidst all of this sunshine, we are still managing to have a lovely holiday season.  Lyell has still not totally sorted out what is going on with this Santa character who flies around in a helicopter (we had to introduce the "sleigh" concept gently, as Lyell was convinced that Santa had a special convertible helicopter at his disposal.)  To make matters a bit more confusing, we celebrated many birthdays in November, so Lyell still thinks that every event we go to is somebody's birthday.  When he doesn't see the "happy cake" and candles, he just starts singing "Happy Birthday to Me."  His favorite song.

Lyell is also catching on to the Caroling selections, and while he wasn't ready for a complete concert, he did allow me to tape him while he was doing puzzles.  Whitney enjoys her role as backup vocals and helps with some improvisational sections.  She also has a solo at the end of this video...

Whitney has no idea why her mother keeps wrestling her into all of these green, red and white outfits.  She has started to protest the lengthy dressing sessions, as my little nine month old baby has suddenly developed her own agenda!  Whitney is piloting a new and special form of crawling- which consists of a large collection of random movements that somehow projects her where she wants to go.  She has a regular circuit around our house to take in all the exciting objects within 6 inches of our floor.  The other day she gave me a mischievous grin before disappearing around the corner at a rapid scoot to go check out the bath mat- one of her favorite textural discoveries.  In general, Whitney entertains us with her multiple forms of cuteness- including babbling to herself and erupting in laughter at the sound of her own voice.  Her less cute, but developmentally necessary, habits include cutting teeth, rubbing food into her hair, and putting everything else into her mouth.

Here are a few photos from the past three months since our last bloggy post.

Fishing on Gull Lake

Taking in the fall colors on the Eastern Sierra

Sleepytime in the bike trailer.

Eating and throwing rocks are still some of Lyell's favorite things in life.

First time picking apples at the Pumpkin Patch

Potluck Preschoolers in all of their cuteness

Nariz looooves to jump in to Whitney's crib when no one is looking.  He has become an expert on hiding in the bedroom and waiting until I leave to hop in and nap with her.  

Lyell got to ride his own carousel horse for the first time (actually he choose a carousel ostrich.)  He remained very focused throughout the ride.

Whitney goes for a ride in the stroller.

We went to Ocean Beach and Lyell couldn't believe that the sandbox went on for miles and miles.  

Whitney and I made it to the top of Yosemite Falls thanks to my motivated hiking friends.  

Making gingerbread man (and tree and star) cookies, and being silly.  

We participated in the Bracebridge Dinner again this year.  It was a bit more work to keep the kids happy backstage, but once they stepped into the lights, they loved it.  The best part was seeing so many friends in the audience!

Playing trains and snuggling in the parachute with Potluck Preschool friends.  We have been so lucky to join an incredibly motivated group of families who have created a preschool program in El Portal.

Whitney and her buddy Luca dressing up for the season.

Through the roller coaster of parenthood we are so grateful for the support and companionship of our community of family and friends.  We send our love out to all of you! 

Kim, Matthew, Lyell and Whitney

Down by the Banks of the Merced River

We'll start out with a little video of the two munchkins...

This summer has been filled with growth and change for us, most of it good, however we are ready to slow down and relax with the rhythms of the changing season.  The growth part was mostly done by Whitney, with a little help from Lyell.  She celebrated her sixth month birthday yesterday with a yummy bowl of yogurt and rice cereal.  The development of a newborn in the first six months is astounding, and I can hardly keep up.  It seems I am always learning through experience that (crash!) she can no longer lay on the couch without rolling off, and (splatter!) it's not a good idea to eat a bowl of cereal with her on my lap.  Whitney is now a mover and a shaker.  She is lightning quick and makes it a personal goal to put everything within a six foot radius into her mouth.  Her favorite person in the world continues to be her big brother, who fortunately feels the same way about her.  Unfortunately, until each learns a safe way to express their love, their time together needs to be closely monitored.  Thus far Lyell has tried to teach Whitney how to jump on the bed, climb on his back, and (my personal favorite) rub her head to toe with lotion after their bath.  As many parents can relate- it is so darn cute until all of a sudden there is lotion in eyes, hair, mouths and everybody is screaming at the top of their lungs.  But somehow all members of our household have managed to keep their appendages intact, and actually feel quite healthy despite all of the action in our lives.  Since our last post we have experienced...

• Five weekend excursions
• Three camping adventures
• One car accident
• Renting our house out and moving to El Portal
• Being evacuated from our El Portal house due to a forest fire
• Returning to El Portal for one night before heading to a four-day Strawberry Music Festival
• Flying to Chicago for Matthew's sister Jeanne's wedding

Phew!  I am afraid that Lyell was most affected by all this transition as he ran out of names for all the different houses we were at.  We started with "new house" when we were camping, then said, "other house" when we moved, then when we were evacuated Lyell just started saying "everybody's house."  Lyell likes to give everything he sees a label these days- part of the whole language acquisition thing I am told.  I can chart his language development with Whitney's age; when she was born he called her "Bee," then he caught on to the two syllable "Whitney" at about 6 weeks.  When she was three months he could string together Baby Whitney, and start adding on verbs like "Baby Whitney sleeping."  Now, at six months, he puts a hand on his hip as I am furiously typing away at the computer trying to get just one thing done, and says "Mommy, Whitney feels sad.  Needs a new diaper now.  Stop, 'puter, stop."  Oh geez, he's onto me... online shopping will now have to wait until after bedtime :)  

Lyell seems to be taking after both of his grandfathers these days.  Grandpa VK has passed down his salesman's negotiating skills.  Many nights the conversation goes something like this, "Lyell, put on your jammies and we will read two books before sleep."  "No mommy, four books and play trains, then sleep." (big smile, wide eyes... guess how many books we read? :)  During his waking hours Lyell exhibits his budding engineering skills passed down from Papa Marcis as he constructs tunnels and bridges for his trains.  He has suddenly passed into a new phase of development called "independent play."  It is lovely!  I've made an entire purchase on Amazon and Lyell hasn't even looked up from the elaborate bridge/tower he is designing.  

Our move to El Portal has been wonderful.  Matthew's commute to work consists of walking 200 yards down the hill.  Although we experienced some "downsizing pains" as we went from 2 acres to 900 square feet, the process of simplifying felt very cleansing and we were able to create a beautiful new space.  We also made the final decision that I not return to work, and I feel so grateful everyday to be able to stay home with my children through these early years.  Most days I find I am moved to tears by the beauty and wonder (and sometimes the frustration) of it all.  On one of the more frustrating days, Lyell looked up at me and said, "Mommy sad.  Need a hug.  Feel better." and after hugging me he hopped down from my lap and said, "Thank you.  Welcome" and scooted back over to his trains. Of course this made me really cry until I laughed and soon we were laughing and pushing the trains around to stop at every station in our house.

Now for the pictures.  Taking pictures this summer has been a bit problematic.  When I actually remember the camera on a trip, and remember to charge the battery, and remember to put it somewhere logical so I remember to take pictures... well then Lyell is usually naked or half-naked or running away from me.  Whitney, however, is still extremely cooperative ;)

 Our first camping trip of the summer up to Tenaya Lake

 Lyell stripped down and jumped in...

... and realized how cold the high country water is.

 On our second trip to Tuolumne Lyell met Lyell (boy on the left) both named after the mountain and canyon we were camping next to.

With our friends the McKinneys and Cathedral Peak in the background.

 Throwin' rocks in 'da riva'

The only family photo we managed on all our trips :)  

 Whitney sleeping on the banks of the Kings River on our annual rafting trip.

 Lyell directing traffic in his "uniform."  It was above 90 degrees all day and he was quite happy in his birthday suit.

 Cooking dinner for 20 with our dear friends Josie and Nate

The failed family photo attempt :)

 Lyell helping with the potato harvest.

Look who's driving the moving truck!

 Playing in the crib.  Lyell would love nothing more than to have Whitney sleep with him all the time.  

 This is a picture of the Motor Fire from our porch (pre-evacuation.)  The amazing fire crews prevented the flames from cresting the ridge in this picture, thus saving all our houses!

 Two hours into our trip to Chicago and Lyell has already managed to remove his pants.

 En route to the zoo with Auntie Carrie in Chicago.

 If you look closely you can see the baby monkey above my head which kept Lyell spellbound with it's antics.

 Whitney at six months

 Lyell spotting his first tarantula (a common sight here in El Portal in the fall.)

 Taking care of one another.

Lyell at two years and three months

All for now from the Sierra Foothills.  Much love to each and every one of you.  As the days grow shorter, may we all settle and find that peace within. 

Birthdays, babies and bbq's

Summer has finally hit us full force here in Mariposa, which translates to "big owies" when little feet touch the black driveway during the day! Lyell has learned this lesson quickly, and his obsession with owies prompted his first complete sentence... "Mommy, I need a band aid!"

The hot days make way for fabulously cool evenings, which we spend in the garden or playing badminton on our new mountain court. We are loving the summer, enjoying all our family time and watching everything soak up the sun and grow like crazy- including Whitney.

At three and a half months, Whitney has shot out of newborn mode and established herself as the world's cutest baby (in my non-biased opinion:) She loves to have conversations with you if you keep all the sounds to vowels only, but she says her ooo's and eee's with such conviction while staring right into your eyes. Here are a few shots of Whitney doing her exercises on the floor, her favorite place right now...

And of course her greatest talent is still her ability to sleep so peacefully for long hours!

Lyell has been having a blast at the pool. Here he is on his first waterslide experience.

He made it.

The whole gang at the pool.

Whitney came with Matthew and I for a day in San Francisco. She helped us navigate the Muni system...

and got a ride in the Baby Bjorn...

all the way up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower.

But here is the real reason we went up to the city... gelato at the Ferry building!

Fourth of July bbq at Garland Drive- a 35 year tradition.

Lyell is becoming a bit more adventurous with his food choices, as long as they come with a generous squirt of "ket-up" on top.

Lyell celebrated his second birthday with ice cream cake and a pinata at our local lake.

His favorite retro gift from his good buddies Naya and Morgan.

The pinata was a huge success, but the two year olds didn't understand why we stopped playing with it after it broke open, so we spent another hour with the plastic bat and the empty train pinata making up two year old games with it.

One tired two year old!

We got to take canoe rides on the lake at the end of the evening.

Lyell has been having a blast with his playgroup buddies, and loves spending time with all his little friends. His favorite games involve some combination of running, screaming, cars and water.

Whitney and I on an early summer hike together up in Jerseydale

The boys doing what they do best... eating chips and salsa! Like father, like son :)