10/09: Things that Make Me Smile. Some Things. In No Particular Order.
1) Memories of our recent trip to the Children's Farm in Palos Park (right across the street from where Lori and I got married), where we took a bumpy hayride to a pumpkin patch and picked pumpkins right off of the vine, and rode horses, drank root beer, listened to a band play a bunch of old cover tunes, held baby animals, and hung out in a barn. I think we're going to make this trip an annual thing. It really is a great way to kick off the fall.
Speaking of which . . .
2) The fall.
And also . . .
3) Baby chicks.
And 4) Baby birds.
5) Watching Maddie hold a chicken.
6) Petting goats with Shelby.
7) Nuzzling Shelby.
And 8) Watching Lori nuzzle Shelby.
And 9) When baby pigs try to eat Maddie's shoes.
And other things, too.
Like 10) The fact that Maddie started pre-school this week.
She's been very quiet in class so far, but she's starting to warm up to everybody. She's already made a new friend, and like my brother said, she'll be running the place before we know it. Our little girl is growing up.
11) Watching Shelby walk.
And 12) Discovering that, much like her big sister, she has a way with animals.
13) Taking photos. I wish I had a better camera, because I get a lot of fulfillment out of recording life on film (digital film, anyway). Here are a few photos that I am particularly proud of. I call these "Triptych in Kitchen with Jelly Bean":
14) When Maddie pulls out the stool from underneath Shelby's crib, brings it into the living room, grabs her ukulele, takes the stage, and puts on a show.
15) Holding Shelby on my shoulders.
16) The fact that the newest member of our family, Sylvia Liying Goss, is coming home from China in less than a month, and I get to meet her at the airport.
17) New music. First of all, have you ever heard of Pandora? Probably so. But Lori and I just discovered it. Anyway, look it up. You can thank me later. Second of all, Elvis Costello has a new album out, called "Secret, Profane & Sugarcane." Lori bought it for me, and I totally dig it. Third of all, Cadence gave Maddie and Shelby a mix cd at her fifth birthday party. We listen to it all the time. Fourth of all, we bought two new cds for the girls: "Alphabutt" by Kimya Dawson and "Rockabye Baby: Lullaby Renditions of the Beatles." They're pretty awesome.
18) This:
And 19) This:
We were pretty sure we were going to lose Priddy, but after we put her on this new thyroid medication, she did a complete turn-around. She's putting on weight, following us around the house, and she hardly ever throws up at all. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't be surprised if she lives until she's twenty-five.
20) My wife. Man, do I love that woman. We had our annual vow renewal dinner last Sunday, and as usual it rekindled our love for each other. Tomorrow is our fifth wedding anniversary!
And finally. . .
21) Directing you to these four sets of photos:
Just Chillin'
Down on the Farm
Triptych in Kitchen with Jelly Bean
Maddie's First Day of Pre-School
Have a happy Friday! Talk to you soon!
Speaking of which . . .
2) The fall.
And also . . .
3) Baby chicks.
And 4) Baby birds.
5) Watching Maddie hold a chicken.
6) Petting goats with Shelby.
7) Nuzzling Shelby.
And 8) Watching Lori nuzzle Shelby.
And 9) When baby pigs try to eat Maddie's shoes.
And other things, too.
Like 10) The fact that Maddie started pre-school this week.
She's been very quiet in class so far, but she's starting to warm up to everybody. She's already made a new friend, and like my brother said, she'll be running the place before we know it. Our little girl is growing up.
11) Watching Shelby walk.
And 12) Discovering that, much like her big sister, she has a way with animals.
13) Taking photos. I wish I had a better camera, because I get a lot of fulfillment out of recording life on film (digital film, anyway). Here are a few photos that I am particularly proud of. I call these "Triptych in Kitchen with Jelly Bean":
14) When Maddie pulls out the stool from underneath Shelby's crib, brings it into the living room, grabs her ukulele, takes the stage, and puts on a show.
15) Holding Shelby on my shoulders.
16) The fact that the newest member of our family, Sylvia Liying Goss, is coming home from China in less than a month, and I get to meet her at the airport.
17) New music. First of all, have you ever heard of Pandora? Probably so. But Lori and I just discovered it. Anyway, look it up. You can thank me later. Second of all, Elvis Costello has a new album out, called "Secret, Profane & Sugarcane." Lori bought it for me, and I totally dig it. Third of all, Cadence gave Maddie and Shelby a mix cd at her fifth birthday party. We listen to it all the time. Fourth of all, we bought two new cds for the girls: "Alphabutt" by Kimya Dawson and "Rockabye Baby: Lullaby Renditions of the Beatles." They're pretty awesome.
18) This:
And 19) This:
We were pretty sure we were going to lose Priddy, but after we put her on this new thyroid medication, she did a complete turn-around. She's putting on weight, following us around the house, and she hardly ever throws up at all. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't be surprised if she lives until she's twenty-five.
20) My wife. Man, do I love that woman. We had our annual vow renewal dinner last Sunday, and as usual it rekindled our love for each other. Tomorrow is our fifth wedding anniversary!
And finally. . .
21) Directing you to these four sets of photos:
Just Chillin'
Down on the Farm
Triptych in Kitchen with Jelly Bean
Maddie's First Day of Pre-School
Have a happy Friday! Talk to you soon!
