Chalking

Most public universities allow "chalking" on their premises because it falls under the free speech clause of the First Amendment. Clearly Dillon and Quinn have been brushing up on their constitutional law because on a recent walk to SDSU...

What does Dillon love?

Quinn loves a close-up.

Co-art.

I love you mom and dad and boo-boo pants.

Adventures in Learning: Electric Boogaloo

Another random sampling of our girls edumacating themselves.

Snack time is the best time!

Running wild with BFF Reece.

Playing puzzles.

GOOOOOOOAAALLL!

I don't have any recent ones of Dillon, but here are some outtakes from the fall.

With pal Luna.

Watching the stinky cows with Avaleigh and Luna.

December is the Time (for Ho Ho Ho) Part 4

To wrap up our yuletide festivities, our annual holiday hike:

Little slow poke.

Family selfie!

Sissies.

I've also wanted to make a buche de noel for years, but it looked too intimidating. This year, I finally made it and I think it turned out pretty good!

That's right, it's a cake that looks like a log.

Finally, what would Christmas be without Chinese food?

Waiting for shumai.

Perusing the menu.

Playing with the menu.

Eating cotton candy burritos.

Either eating or taking a nap.

December is the Time (for Ho Ho Ho) Part 3

As you can see by now, I am dressing the family in our matching PJs at every opportunity! Christmas morning was no exception. Here are some pix of the present-opening extravaganza!

A kiss for daddy.

Quinn got some new shades.

And a new orange chair.

Dillon's happy place.

The tree.

Playing with Craig's childhood dogs,
renamed Ava and Aunt Julie.

Cozy with the gifts.

Aaaand...a little Christmas morning "Jingle Bells." Dillon is on lead vocals, while Quinn provides some back-up, plus interpretive dance.

December is the Time (for Ho Ho Ho) Part 2

Dillon had a special treat this year: we joined her pal Millie on their annual trip to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It was really sweet and charming and, as always, great to catch up with an old preschool friend.

By the Grinchmas tree.

Enjoying a pre-show beverage.

A goofy selfie.

We also continued are tradition of gingerbread house decorating/demolition. Please do not hire us as your contractors. It will not go well.

Unsuccessfully trying to set the royal icing.

Craig and Quinn make a gingerhut.

Georgia and Dillon eat a bunch of decorations.

December is the Time (for Ho Ho Ho) Part 1

I know it's springtime and I'm just getting around to the holiday posts...but here we go! Dillon joined choir in the fall which means there was a singing bonanza come holiday time! Here's a video mash-up of some of her performances. She's easy enough to spot in the first and last clips. For "Frosty the Snowman" where she's on stage with a hundred other kids, she's the short one in the first row!

Dillon met the big guy after her show.

We also drove deep into the forest (El Cajon) to pick out a tree. Craig found a beauty and I think it's my favorite so far!

Family tree farm selfie.

Dillon and Craig shoulder the tree.

Finally, we spent a lovely evening with our friends, Tom and Curt, at their annual holiday party.

There is a lot of plaid in this picture.

Craig won a crate o' wine.

Quinn ate a lot o' bread.

They loved this bright green tree.

Moonlight Beach Construction Project

Going to Moonlight Beach on my birthday didn't quite work out as planned. But I got a chance for a re-do over winter break when Dillon was off of school for a few weeks. We had a great time digging a water tunnel with Sydney, a girl we met who was visiting from Tahoe. And we stopped by Handel's afterwards for a tasty scoop of ice cream.

Big shovel. Big hole.

With her construction partner, Sydney.

As usual, every inch of skin is covered in sand.

Leap!

A close up of the tunnel.

My view.

Ice cream to celebrate the tunnel!

A quick vid of the tunnel's grand opening. [Song is "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" by Arcade Fire.]