Ben playing with his friend Sam. :)

Other stuff that happened in December

Yep, we did lots of other stuff besides going on a cruise. Like:

Getting an easel (which we love) from Ben's friends, Connor and Owen:


Decorating the tree (we're tree minimalists):


Decorating cookies:


Visiting the NorthPark train exhibit (Ben found it fascinating, as you can see):



Going to Santa's Village:



Getting to see Linda and Gale at Great-Gram's:


Playing with Sam:



Just for reference, this is what it was like the last time we played with Sam:


Having Christmas brunch with Grandparents:



We had a lovely and busy December, and we hope you did, too! I think we're still in denial that 2009 has begun!

Tagged by Alison: Eight Things

Eight things I am passionate about:
my family, my beliefs, my education, finding common ground, being kind, parenting, staying informed, experiencing things to the fullest

Eight words or phrases I use the most:
1. We don't eat that, Buddy.
2. Time to change your diaper!
3. Are you hungry for a snack?
4. That's the number 10. That's still the number 10. That's still the number 10.
5. That's right; that's a clock!
6. Can I hug you?
7. Daddy's home!!!
8. I love you guys.

Eight things I want to do before I die:
get a Ph.D., raise Ben to be a kind and curious person, go to Europe with people I love (as opposed to mostly strangers), have at least one more kid, figure out how to be an organized person, surprise Michael with an electronic gadget gift he didn't know existed, live in a house with stairs and maybe a pool, find a hairstyle that doesn't irritate me after just a few weeks

Eight things I need right now:
Sleep, a shower, a maid, a shopping assistant, a haircut, some new pants, diapers (for Ben), sushi

Eight places I want to visit:
Banff/Lake Louise in Canada, Hawaii, Norway, New York (again with Michael), San Francisco, Europe (again with loved ones), Alaska (again with Ben), Seattle (again when I'm not pregnant, ill and exhausted)

Eight favorite restaurants:
SushiSake, Mi Cocina, Steak & Shake, Melting Pot, Chipotle, Original Pancake House, Nate's, Kebab & Kurry

Eight TV shows I watch:
Mad Men, Supernanny, Law & Order, Pushing Daisies, America's Test Kitchens, Sesame Street, Martha Stewart, The Simpsons

Eighth folder Eighth picture:


Eight people I tag:
Not sure if I have eight readers ... but if you're reading this, I tag you!!

Happy Halloween from Dread Pirate Eye Injury

Ben really needed an eye patch after I foolishly let him play "basket boy" near one of the baby gates and he fell face-forward into it. ("Basket boy" involves placing one of his toy baskets over his head and running around, and/or sitting in it at an angle so it falls over, preferably into something sharp or dangerous.)

He looked cute but slightly pitiable in his pirate costume while we briefly went trick-or-treating in a friend's neighborhood. Note poor scraped eye!

He was mostly interested in the glow sticks.

It's impossible to keep up with the older kids, especially when you insist on wandering randomly into the street.