Just for Stephen

Sabrina and Leslie's christmas present

Sabrina is trying out her new toy, Lightning the spring horse.

Leslie learns how to read

Leslie reading her first book all by herself!

In honor of a special day....

In honor of a very, very special birthday coming up this Thursday, we post pictures of a different, but also very special child.
We miss you, Samuel!

Christmas is coming

We got a lovely fiber optic Christmas tree from Savers and had Leslie and Sabrina decorate it. They did an excellent job.

Captain Sabrina

Sabrina prefers going up the slide, or going down headfirst and backwards.

The house

People have been asking for pictures of our house for awhile, so Sabrina modeled her bedroom and Leslie's for a photo-shoot.

Trick or treating

Here come the Tooth Fairy and the Sweet Tooth Fairy, asking for handouts.

Mad Scientist

This is how Russell went to work on Halloween.

Cookies

We used a sugar cookie recipe to make playdoh cookies. Leslie made some rather beautiful flowers.

Karate Kid

Leslie takes a whack at a karate themed pinata at a school friend's birthday party.
Leslie was quite skeptical about going to a karate studio. "Karate is where they kick and hit people," she said disapprovingly. But in the end she greatly enjoyed the party and came home wanting karate lessons. We don't know what changed her mind--adults weren't allowed in the room where the party was, and could only peek through the doors until the very end.

First rain

The rains poured down, and Sabrina decided to try some mud squelching.
We thought this storm was big....until hours later, when Lake Avondale appeared in our backyard.

"Gingerbread" house

For FHE, Leslie and her Daddy made elaborate "gingerbread" houses out of graham crackers, while Sabrina and her Mother ate all the Andes mints. We had a great time. Russell made really good frosting that hardened into a cement-like consistency and kept the roofs on.

Face painting

Leslie shows off the flower she had painted on her face at a school fundraiser. I've found that when your visiting teacher is also the PTSA president, you tend to get more involved with school activities. :)

Nesting Instinct

Leslie and Sabrina like to make a cozy nest for themselves and a few chosen toys, to protect them from the cold. I think it got clear down to about 72 this week and we've all been shivering and adding extra blankets. Yes, we are officially wimpy Arizonians.

Thanksgiving

Here's our group at Thanksgiving. Richard and Suzanne came and a pharmacy school friend Milyn Gessel, with her husband Ray and their two children. Milyn and Suzanne are both from Beaver, Utah and knew each other previously...What are the odds?
Note the Spanish soup tureen, La Taza, filled with Gazpacho, a traditional Spanish soup--I've been wanting to make that for Thanksgiving ever since I bought that dish at a ceramics fair in Salamanca, Spain, seven years ago. It was a fulfillment of a dream, if nothing else, as no one actually liked the soup except me. But I bet dad will love it if he's here next time I make it. :)