My Mom;s Birthday

My mom, as it turns out, has a birthday.  I know, I know, you didn't even know they had calendars back then, but you'd be surprised how long calendars have been around.  I believe when my mother was born, they were  using an ancient Sumerian version.  Anyway, through divining and many complicated calculations, we determined when her birthday was and decided to celebrate it.

We did so at a local Mexican restaurant.  My sister and her husband and kids were also present.  Cora and I arrived about .3 seconds before my sister did...making us fashionably early and her late.

Of course, my mother got to wear a sombrero.  Note the youngest is trying to blow out the candle!

He's a charming little guy...and good looking, a lot like his uncle.

I like to call this one, Mother and Spawn, of course others might call it Mother and Children.

We don't talk about my dad much, because he's a swinger-no, REALLY, he swings!

My brother-in-law seems to stay out of pictures.  Or he tries.  I managed to capture this shot while he was unaware and in his natural surroundings.  I will be turning this one in to National Geographic to see if they will pay me for such a rare photo!  My sister, however, had great situational awareness, and knows that me+camera=candid photos.  She's a clever one.

So is Cora...

My mom.

My nephew at full speed!

My other nephew at even fuller speed!

and my niece at fullerer speed!

We went to a park afterwards, as you can see, these pictures were NOT in a restaurant.  I took photos the entire time...why not with such cute models?

I DID discover I need to choose my words wisely.  Below I found my nephew sitting on a toy and asked him to look up...

It turns out a "sense of humor" comes out early in my family...

He thought he was quite clever and followed my instructions to the word.  Smart alleck!

It was good getting together with everyone.  It seems we don't see family nearly often enough and by the time we do they have grown up so fast!  I had a great time!  Cora, and my sister, however, were apparently delectable morsels that the mosquitoes fed freely upon, and I am not so sure they enjoyed the park as much as the rest of us.

Birthdays Party

OK, my family has always celebrated birthdays.  It's the way they do things.  Cora and I don't always have a party to celebrate...especially since we seemed destined to remain childless.  However, certain nieces and nephews seem to believe that even grown ups need to have a birthday party.  To placate my niece and nephews, we hosted a get together.  We had a bit of dinner and some snacks and cake.

We also played Wii.  I COULD post dome really embarrassing video of my mom doing hoola hoop dance thing, but I doubt strongly she'd keep me in the will...or on her Christmas list, so I won't.  Instead, I will post a couple photos taken tonight during our get together.

Below are the backs of some heads focused on the TV.  We played Wii.  Everyone seemed to enjoy taking part.  Others enjoyed watching.  Either way, everyone seemed to have fun!

 Everyone had to read a story it seems.  However, Cora was quick enough to get a photo of me reading.  Below you can see my rapt audience.  Yeah, they are pretty much the cutest audience ever.  I enjoyed it.

It was a good day!

Niece is Nice

We had dinner with my in-laws last night and got to visit with the newest member of the family!  Yeah, that is little Leah!  Born a month ago today!  I had a long conversation with her involving airplanes and museums and the fact that I will be her favorite uncle, ALWAYS.  I think she agrees.  She listen quite well and did not interrupt.  I already like this kid!

So, another Saturday is here.  What will I do with it?  I have a slip of paper to mail to Yakima County asking them to look up a few things for me.  The question is how much do they have on a bomb range from 60 years ago?  We shall see as soon as I remember to mail it.

I'd like to take the dogs up on the side of the mountain, both to tire them out and also to maybe remind my muscles that they can perform duties other than sitting still.  It does help that the sun is coming out and it may be a nice day.  I had high hopes for yesterday's weather, though, and it disappointed me.

Well, maybe I will draw some more color pages tonight.  Animals...  

Hi Leah!

I would like to introduce my youngest niece.  Leah Jane.  She was born last night and is a beauty!  

The proud aunts gather 'round!

My sister-in-law Molly holding Leah.

Welcome beautiful little girl!

Walk

When left alone, television becomes boring.  I was left alone last night.  Cora went to be with her sister for the birth of our newest niece!  It is awesome to be a new uncle...now, four times over.

I was at home all day.  At about 11 PM I decided to take Toby for a walk.  I took him to the park.  There was absolutely no one to be seen.  So I let him off the leash.  He thought he was in heaven.  I walked quietly with him.  The traffic on the highway zipped by in flashes of light and whooshes of sound.  Toby was a white spot in the dark.  He was SO happy to be free and exploring without me disturbing him except to sound off when I lost sight of him.  He would zoom by me in an extension of his parabolic orbit to let me know he heard me.  I was very proud of his behavior.  He is a good dog, he just has lots of energy!

We had walked through the territory of two exceptionally loud and annoying chihuahuas on the way out.  Toby was very polite and did not jerk the leash.

On the way back from the park, I got a text that announced that there was a new little girl in the world, and that she happened to be my niece!  I was ecstatic!  We were walking home with Toby OFF his leash.  since it was 11pm and it is our small town...well, it wasn't necessary.  We were within less than a block of home and crossed the street when the dog of one of our neighbors let loose a war cry and began to close in.  Toby did not have a leash.  He is a good 25-30 lbs.

The dog that made the report is a papillion that might be 12 lbs when he is soaking wet.  I said, "go get him!" and off Toby went.  It was a large parabolic intercept.  Toby began to cut off the attacker, and the attacker became the defender and when Toby got within 6 or 7 feet, there was a strange, plaintive high pitched yip that issued from the little aggressor.  Toby never made a noise.  I called Toby off and he came back.  The little guy decided Toby's withdrawal was a retreat and made chase...yet he kept his distance.  It was all very amusing.  The little guy never got very close after that, though he did bark.

Overall, it was a fun walk!  Not a bad way to spend a weekend!

Welcome Niece!

I am the proud UNCLE of my second Niece!  Welcome little niece!  I look forward to sharing the joy of airplanes with you!

The Waiting Game.

Weekend plans change.  Ours have a habit of doing it more often than not.  Sometimes, that is o.k., though.  My sister-in-law has been pregnant for...well, awhile now.  So, now the time for a new niece or nephew is nearly upon us!

Cora is at the Hospital with her family playing the waiting game.  I stayed home to play with the dogs and watch TV.  Sounds like it's coming sooner than later!  Hopefully Cora will be home before morning.  I DO hope she has some good pictures!

As for the coloring book...it's looking good!