Halloween 2009

late afternoon dance party

I couldn't resist posting another clip from Ella's flip. She has placed the camera on the ground for a typical Ella/Wade dance party. Looks like they are ready for a night out at gay man fantasy island bar! Notice how Thomas kicks the camera at the end...Classic...

playa del rey triathalon oct 2009

Ella has become quite the videographer... here is her reel from Sunday's triathalon..

tale of the girl and the rock-n-roll witch

This is Ella and her best bud Polly Jane from preschool days. They are writing a script for a film entitled The Tale of the Girl and the Rock-N-Roll Witch. This photograph is meant to be the film's cover picture. It is the story of a witch who steals babies and turns them into bad guys with her rock-n-roll jams. I can't wait for the premier. I think Ella will follow her dreams of being the next female Jack Black.

happy birthday dad

My dad is 81 years old today. He is the man from snowy river...so handsome in his cowboy hat and scruffy beard. Along with being a bit of a cowboy he was also a world traveler and a teacher. He has always had a love for people, their culture and beliefs. Sometimes he would take us with him on his travels and we would stay for a while. I will always thank him for taking me to China when I was 15 years old to live for a year. In China, his students, friends and colleagues loved him. Everyone always wanted to hear what Ray had to say and I was always so proud to be his daughter. Because of the love he has for people they are naturally drawn to him. His enthusiasm for life, his knowledge, his wit, his adventurous spirit, his example, his unconditional love. While in China, dad read me this saying from the philosopher Confucius. It was meant to inspire me to right a talk for church. At the time I was a mopey teenager that just wanted to write the talk and get if over with. In fact, I think mom and dad wrote most of it...yikes. Now as an adult, I always remember the quote and associate it with my dad and our experience in China. He loved its simplicity and always tried to live by it.

If there be righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character.
If there be beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home.
If there be harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation.
If there be order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.

Happy Birthday Dad I love you!

trying to keep it cool.

It's sweaty pits time and the heat is leaving me with the groggy grumps. Here is how we are coping so far...
I had my bangs cut. Ella decided she wanted her bangs cut too. She took the craft scissors and disappeared into her bedroom and gave herself some mini-bangs. Aren't they so rock and roll?
Tiger, being a cat and covered in fur spends hours in the bathroom sink. Poor lil dude. The cats are shedding like crazy and their fur is also all over the house. Wade loves this.Yesterday around 3 o'clock the heat was at its peak and we had had it with our hot apartment. Wade says... come and pick me up and let's go to the beach. So we did. Spontaneity always works like a charm for me. It was just what we all needed. Wade did his run on the beach. Thomas and I played tag in the water and climbed rocks. We saw a fisherman catch a shovel fish and let it go. We ended the night with a giant cheeseburger from Barney's in Brentwood. Ahhhhh. Summer.

Thomas turns 4

Wade made sangrias and slow roasted beef tacos. Kathryn made a pot o' pinto's with spanish rice. All from scratch and all delicious.

Party peoples

Thomas insisted that I make him the american flag cake from Ina Garten's cookbook. He was mad at me for replacing the raspberries with strawberries.

Wham-o slip n slide is always a hit

Wade chillin with his bev in the pool in our weed garden.

Thomas spent much of the afternoon on his birthday stool waiting to open his presents.

rocket balloon launch!

Amy and Yoni now live in Cali and like to party with us.

Burlap baggies sewn with love for the pinata.

Pop rocks were the item of choice.

birthday boys always get grumpy.

Happy Birthday Thomas! We love you!