winter commute

The sun was out this morning on my way into work and it was pretty spectacular with the new snow...

the view from my cube....

Beans, Beans. The Magical Fruit....

Our First Snow Of The Season!

We've been telling Amya for the past week that it is going to snow! Last night when we put her in bed, we told her when she woke up there would snow on the ground. This morning, we propped her up beside the front door, barely awake and opened the door. Her face lite up and she ran out!!!...in her pajamas! Then she sat down in it and said, "Snowman!"

After church, we bundled her up, like a fluffy pink snowbaby, and let her go at it!

Then it was back inside for hot chocolate!

Skype, Go Ahead. Everybody's Doing It!

I love to skype with people. It is fun. It's like talking on the phone, but free and with a picture. Everybody really should do it. (this is a picture I took of Kara and I skyping)

!Party!

Amay went to a birthday party today...her first! She had loads of fun. At this age, you can measure fun by the extent of the melt down at the end of the party. Amya had A LOT OF FUN!

...mmmm cupcakes...

Sadie, the birthday girl!

Friends

Last week Amya went to her friend, Matty's house for a play date. The part of the day that got the most laughs was jumping on the bed, of course!

Peek-A-Boo!

Moss

Dan and Amya exploring the moss along a trail at Post-Canyon bike trails

Baby Names

No, I'm not pregnant! But my friend, Sonya is. Her blog is on the right. She is asking for help coming up with a middle name for her soon-to-be-born baby girl, Emma. I've been having so much fun suggesting names that I thought I would share this fun with you all. Don't worry, she doesn't mind suggestions from strangers. Just follow the link to her site on the right.......

Toddler Love

"Rocky" and "Milky"...two things that Amya loves!

Trickster

This is Amya's new trick! Push-ups on the floor just don't challenge her enough! Remember this is the kid who could do a sit-up at 5 months of age. We would lay her on her back and hold her feet down and she would just pop right up with a smile on her face!

The Answer: Our Big Fat Fun Photoshot!

The Question: What do you get when you put three families together, with three small girls, two talented photographers, some really expensive cameras and lights, and one orange tractor?

Check out the link on the right, to see more great photos by Michael and Shelly.

Peterson Photography!

The Michael/Shelly team Props are fun!

Here We Go!

Oh, the things that people do to you, in the name of good photography!

The Results!

P.S. If you live around here....you should defiantly hire Peterson photography for your next shot. If they could handle these guys...nough said!

The Poll!

Ok, friends. I need your help. My sister-in-law has decided that her amusement is more important than my dignity. This is what I need from anyone who looks at this blog...within the next day...

1) Look at the links on the right hand side
2) Click on the one that says "Bryce and Suria"
3) Go to their poll on the left side
4) VOTE FOR BRYCE!!!!!!!!!

(while you're there, check out how adorable my niece and nephew are!!! I mean, seriously!)

I have faith that my real friends will help me out here! Who loves ya! .........................c.

Come on...

...I'm just giving Amya something to talk about to her therapist in 30 years!

Imagination!

the last time we went on a hike around Catherines Creek, Amya was fascinated with this old tree that had fallen down long ago....she kept pointing at the tree and yelling "Mooo...mooo!"

Window Display

If you were visiting us in October than you may recognise this window, but not the new display. This is the window that had a cat painted on it. Every time we pulled into the parking lot (grocery store), Amya would start meowing and we had to walk by this store so she could see the cat. Well, the cat is gone! Now it is this beautiful cloud! Amya has made her peace. Now she asks to see the cloud by blowing really loud.
Today in church we kept Amya with us for the praise and worship portion because she seemed to be very intrigued with the auditorium lately. She immediately wanted to play with the pencils in the pew in front of us, so I started drawing swirls on a piece of paper to keep her quiet during the prayer. Wouldn't you know it....she started blowing really loud and laughing!

A New Tradition

We decided to start a new "day after Thanksgiving" tradition, while we live here in the gorge. We will go to the White Salmon Glassworks and blow a Christmas ornament (literally), then head over to Everybody's micro-brew restaurant for a bite.

Our first time was quit fun! Although it was a little nerve racking trying to keep Amya from breaking all the glass on display!

Ahhh! Blood pressure is rising!

(thank goodness for glass protected display boxes!)

This is the process!

Heating up the glassRolling it in colored glass shards to achieve the desired color (this year it was "cranberry with snow")Blowing the bulb (Amya wasn't interested in trying this)Attaching the loopTa-Da!

.............................................

Everybody's!

(oh, by the way, Amya insisted on wearing her tu-tu that night)

playing shuffleboard

Amya was fascinated with this little girl that was wearing a red cape. I guess if you're going to wear your tu-tu to a restaurant, you shouldn't point fingers!