Santa Claus is SCARY!

While my Mother and Grandmother visited us in Salt Lake City (which was wonderful!), we took one afternoon to head to Park City. We were excited to find there was a special visitor there. This picture will surely be a great family heirloom.

Thanksgiving and Muma's 80th Birthday!!

We had the great fortune of spending Thanksgiving in Santa Rosa. Yes, that includes Scott. Thanksgiving was lovely and delicious, and we even picked up a few bargains on Black Friday. The highlight of the trip was Muma's 80th Birthday Party on Saturday, and it was a fabulous event with family and friends, featuring authentic Australian gourmet (complete with Bangers, Lamingtons and Pavlova) and some memorable Karoake performances. (My cousin Nathaniel learned the hard way never to challenge a music major to a karoake contest...). It was just so wonderful to see everyone. Thanks to all who were there, we miss you!

Where does this come from?

The other day Ray asked me if the speck of dust he found was a molecule.

We also had a conversation about coals. It went something like this.

Mommy, what are hot coals? (Coals are what is left when a fire goes out. We also use coals to burn in our BBQ).

Do coals glow? (Yes, when they are hot).

But when you pour water on the fire, it goes out and the coals are not hot anymore. (That's right)

What are coals made of? (Well, that depends on what you use to make your fire. I think coals are mostly made of carbon.)

Oh, that's right Mommy. Are coals dirty? (Yes, usually.)

Are coals greasy? (No, I don't think so.)

Bicycles are greasy. (........)

It doesn't get any better than this.

I can't express how excited I am about this concert. Not only do I get to sing with the chorus in one of the greatest classical works ever, but in the same concert the women sing in Debussy ~ La Damoiselle élue, which is so beautiful. To top it all off, my Mom and Muma are coming all the way out here to see it! Awesome.

Pumpkin Patch

From October 16th - 28th, Raymond, Thomas and I visited Grammie, Grandpa Tim & Gigi in Santa Rosa. I was treated to almost 2 weeks of babysitting and pampering, so I could go to the Symphony, the Theater, High Tea, go shopping and enjoy many other events and culinary treats usually reserved for the elite (or at least those without young children.) One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Adobe Pumpkin Patch in Petaluma, which was the greatest pumpkin patch ever. It had piles and piles of pumpkins in various hues, a castle, a corn maze, hay rides, animals a barn full of flowers and decorations, cut outs for pictures and more. Ray and Thomas loved it, and so did I!!

Halloween

Despite being a last minute affair, the Rock Band/Guitar Hero party on Oct. 29th was a great success, and fun was had by all. Raymond wanted to be a knight for Halloween, so it only made sense that Thomas be the dragon that is slain by the knight. Thomas was not fond of having the dragon on his head. Raymond's helmet was made by Scott. We went trick-or-treating with a group of small ones from the neighborhood, and we had to work with him to make sure he didn't ask for chocolate at every door.

T-Ball!

Raymond had a wonderful time playing t-ball this fall. He became quite good at hitting, but preferred digging in the dirt to outfielding. Thomas took every opportunity to escape onto the field.