Playtime!

Tulip Farm

Mr N took the kids to the Tulip Farm. I didn't go because my allergies are pretty bad this year. We didn't know it, but Miss E was getting sick. You can really tell in the photos; she looks miserable, poor thing!

Bonesteele felt great though!

Mr N managed to coax a smile from Miss E.

(Poor baby.)

"Stop telling me to smile, Daddy!"

Mr N says Bonesteele went up to this thing and looked out of it for five minutes. Which in two-year-old time is approximately three years.

Playing at the Beach

While I went shopping at the outlets with Grandma, Mr N headed to the beach with the kids and Grandpa. Looks like they had fun!

Oregon Coast Aquarium

For some reason, we didn't take any pictures throughout most of the aquarium, just at the very end, at Passages of the Deep (which is in fact the coolest part). You walk through tunnels that are surrounded by water and fish and sharks! Even the floor has see-through sections.

At first Bonesteele would not even step on the see-through floor sections, but then he got into it and laid right down for a better view.

Watch out Grandma! There are two sharks right behind your head!

Also in this shot are C, Emma & Mya.

Hatfield Marine Center

The Hatfield Marine Center is full of cool things to see and do. Above is a tidepool full of anemones that you can touch.

We went with Mr N's brother J & his wife C and their kids Molly Emma & Mya.

"Not...quite...tall...enough!"

From L to R: Molly, Emma, Mya, Miss E, Bonesteele.

Playing hide-and-seek.

Bonesteele can say all the most important words, like "turtle."

Snippets by E

Mrs N is reading a story to Miss E.

Miss E: There's coloring in this book.

Mrs N: Someone must have colored in it.

Miss E: That would be me.

* * *

Miss E jumps on Mr N's stomach.

Miss E: Hey Daddy, I don't wanna work, I just wanna bang on a drum all day! (beats on Mr N's stomach) It's your song, dad!

Bonesteele joins in banging on the drum all day and the children laugh delightedly.

* * *

(Out of nowhere) Miss E: Don't tell me, I'm a crackin' egg!

* * *

Miss E: What would we do without all the baby clonk-clonks?

(No idea what a baby clonk-clonk is.)

* * *

Miss E is upset because she had getting read to taken away as a consequence of naughty behavior. Mr N is getting her ready for bed.

Mr N: You're a good girl, Miss E.

Miss E: No I'm not.

Mr N: Yes, you are.

Miss E: I used to be, but that was ages ago.

Mr N: You're a good girl right now.

Miss E: I will be, once I'm not angry anymore.

Anatomy of a Hug

A really exuberant, enthusiastic hug.

Achoo!

Saying Hi

This one's a bit old, but it gives you a feel for Bonesteele's grunting.

Miss E Playing with Uncle Travis

Bonesteele Is Not That Into Presents

New Words!

Bonesteele celebrated Christmas by adding lots of new words to his vocabulary. Before our Christmas trip he could say: mama, dada, car, duck, ow, and uh-oh. Now he's added:

• sock
• night-night
• no
• hi

and my favorite

• I love you

Can I just tell you how gushy it makes me that his first sentence was "I love you"?!

Christmas Pics

Sorry there are only a few. Mr N mostly took video, which I will try to upload soon.

Here's our adorable little niece, who will be 1 next month!

The little ones were naturally most interested in each other's toys. Here is Bonesteele playing with his cousin's Mega Blocks set. Even though he got his own Mega Blocks set.