Fourth of July 2011

This was the kids' first real experience with fireworks. Avery was fascinated but wouldn't get anywhere near them. Trent was a little braver. He would hold them but was totally flinching the whole time.

Also, Avery kept asking for a jacket because it was windy. She said she was cold, even though it was 95 degrees outside!

Easter 2011

Egg hunt! This year the plastic eggs were filled with dates, almonds, dried pineapple and raisins. Avery had a good time hunting them down but Trent wasn't really motivated. I guess last year's chocolate was a little more enticing! By next Easter we'll try to find some candy that is safe for him to eat.

Kids' Birthday 2011

I'm so happy that we decided to do a little celebration for both of the kids this year. We didn't have a full-on party because I've been so busy with photography and it would be so difficult with Trent's dietary restrictions. So we just had a little birthday cake (gluten free, casein free, soy free, corn free - thank you Whole Foods!), complete with candles and singing. My mom and Garry were there too. It was so sweet to see that both of the kids really "got" it this year for the first time. Trent looked around at everyone and smiled so much while we were singing "Happy Birthday"!


Trent is trying to blow out the candles!


And no, our house isn't purple on the inside. That's just the light cast from the TV that was on in the background.

Happy Halloween 2010

Our little ones had so much fun trick-or-treating this year! It was Avery's first time. Any time she pick up a new piece of candy she did not want to put it down, so she walked around with a chocolate bar in each fist the entire night! It was so cute to hear her say "ti-kou!" (thank you) in her tiny little voice. And Trent even mumbled what sounded like "trick-or-treat" a few times, and also said "chocolate" periodically, wanting to have a bite! He didn't want to put on his Woody costume at first (same one as last year), but we persuaded him to at least wear part of it. And Avery's frigging adorable witch costume is a hat/tutu set I'm photographing for the fabulous Bella Tutus on Etsy!

Birthday Fun

This year we held a double birthday party for Trent and Avery, since their birthdays are so close together. We were happy that we could share this fun day with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many, many cousins!

Trent especially had a lot of fun with his cousin Shay. They were so cute chasing and being chased, with lots of wild giggling involved! It's so wonderful to see him starting to be able to really socially interact with other kids. And little Shay was so great with him. I got video of it, but no pictures!

And of course, much food was had by all. That's mostly the point of a party, isn't it?


There was a cupcake tower. It was cute and scrumptious. They tasted like an orange and vanilla dream bar.



Avery enjoyed hers. Well, the frosting anyway.




And soon I'll post some four-year-old portraits of Trent... as soon as he gets a haircut!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Pure joy...







As always, we're filled with gratitude for all the amazing gifts we receive from family and friends. Not just the toys, but the love that's behind them.

Trick-or-Treat!

He's the root'nest, toot'nest cowboy in the wild, wild west!


This was Trent's second year of trick-or-treating and he understood it a little better this time. I think he really enjoyed walking from house to house in his Woody costume. Oh, how he loves Woody! My mom generously gave him this costume and when we first put it on him he was fascinated. He stared at himself in the mirror and said, "ooo-dee" over and over again. And, as anyone who knows him can attest, that's a lot for him to say!

Christmas 2008