Snow Day! (Well, sort of...)

On Sunday night I ran to the grocery store about 10:00 it was snowing when I walked into Safeway, and raining when I came out and drove home. Around 11, I decided to call it a night, and found this scene when I was checking the doors...


So pretty!

Monday morning:




I realize it's not a lot, but it's the most we've gotten this year, so we'll take what we can get. Poor Sissy has pink eye and had a very rough day on Sunday, so we called this day a silver lining- she was healthy enough to play in the snow, but couldn't go to school because of her eye.







We took a drive up into the hills to find some 'real' snow for a little sledding, but after we got our minivan stuck a couple of times we decided to call it a day and get some hot cocoa.



Today, of course, the only remnant of snow is the pile my kids pushed together 'to make it last longer'. It's just a teeny little blob in our wet, green lawn.

Molly Turns 2!

Our sweet friend, Molly, turned 2 today! It is hard to believe it's already been that long since I first went to the hospital and was the first non family (and non hospital) person to hold her. (My claim to fame!) Molly comes to our house each day, and she and her big brother Grayson seem like part of the family. Carter, Garrett and I had a fun time at her party. (Joel had to stay home with Sissy since she had now come down with pink eye...)

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!


Playing 'Pin the Bow on Minnie Mouse'


Those brown eyes!


Carter and Molly- best buddies


Dave was assinged to lead, "Mickey Says!" (Sorry Dave!)


Molly modeling her backpack...too cute!


She wasn't sure what to think of all the singing!


Molly got a little help with the candles from her Mama.

All in all- a great party! We love you, Molly girl! (See Judy's Blog for more pics...and some darling ones of Carter and Molly together.)

Happy Birthday to Joel...(belated)

Poor Joel- his birthday was actually January 11. But it hit right during the beginning of the latest sick-cycle around here, so we've been celebrating a little here and there ever since. On his actual birthday Joel and I went to La Rambla in town for a romantic dinner. Last weekend my mom (and the kids) cooked him a fabulous birthday dinner, and a cake, and we celebrated some more. (I forgot my camera though and haven't high-jacked hers for the pictures yet.) Finally, yesterday, we met Joel's parents and Grandma in Portland at the Old Spaghetti Factory for a yummy meal. This year was the big 2-9...watch out for next year, Honey!

Bike Ride

It's been COLD and CLEAR here- bright blue skies and long winter shadows. We've been sick, so haven't gotten a chance to enjoy the lack of rain much. But yesterday we were all feeling a little better, Joel was working from home, and the weather wasn't toooooo cold, so we were off! The kids rode their bikes while Joel and I took turns pulling Carter in the wagon. We headed down to the neighborhood school where there is a lot of room to ride bikes, and also a fun new playground.

It's the first time I've been able to play with my camera outside, and it was so fun!
























He's always trying to keep up!

Just Checking In...

Most of the Gibson 5 have been sick the past week (or two? I can't remember...), and I haven't taken a lot of pictures, or done much that is noteworthy. But for those of you who check in now and then, here are a few...they are all of Carter because it seems that lately the only time I go to grab my camera is when he is doing something particularly funny or looking particularly sweet...


He loves those boots. He wears them ALL the time. He was so comical this day with his favorite pjs, crazy hair, grocery basket, and of course...boots!


Snuggling on the couch with Pearly and Garrett.


Love those sweet piggies.


Today, I put Carter in bed at naptime with some books, and then did the rounds to get everyone else down. Usually Carter reads (or cries) until I return to lay by him and we take a rest together. Today though, he read his books, snuggled up with Maddy's hippo, and by the time I returned, he was fast asleep. Too sweet!

Big News, Part II

Garrett borrowed some 'just right books' that my mom wasn't using. He is so proud of being able to read them! Now, if you run into us on the street, please don't ask him to start sounding out. . . we aren't there (and that's not how we're doing it anyway!), but he IS predicting, using pictures for prompts, recognizing patterns, and he has 1 to 1 correspondence- which is all 'reading teacher speak' for "YAY!"

The other day he said to me, "Oh MOM! These books are just SO good." The book read something like, "The rooster went to bed. The cow went to bed. The sheep went to bed..." Then the bed collapsed, so I guess it was that suspense really got to him!

He was quite thrilled with having the entire family as an audience last night before bedtime.

Big News, Part I

Number 8!

Now Madeline's big front teeth are an island.

Sure a different smile than 1 year ago!

Here and There...

The January Blahs have arrived! (Which explains my lack of posting.) Here are a few random pictures from the past week.


Once again there was unexplicable quiet in my house. I ran upstairs, fully expecting to see Carter and Molly playing in a toilet, emptying Maddy's dollhouse, or 'helping' with the laundry. Instead I found them in Maddy's bed...reading.


Can you just hear her say, "Cheeeeese!"


Carter loves my new Uggs as much as I do!


This weekend Joel was hungry for a food of his childhood- Gyozos. So he and the kids made them! I helped here and there, but it was nice to not be in charge of dinner!


Towards the end of our meal, Carter started 'cleaning up.'

First his face...


Then Garrett's plate...


Taking a good look at the napkin...


Working hard...

Joel is excited about the prospect of having at least one of our children follow after him in his neat and tidy ways.

Back At It

Madeline and Garrett started back to school today. It's going to be a tired week around here- the kids got used to sleeping in until 8:30 or 9...and as much as I'd like to tell you that I was up getting things done in my quiet house, I'll admit to happily sleeping in also- cozied up to Carter who liked to wake up around 6:30, snuggle in, and go back to sleep for a few hours.

I will definitely be looking into black out blinds for bright summer mornings!

Anyway, here are a few pics from sometime over the past week.

Carter likes to climb in bed (any bed) and read. And then pretend he's asleep. It may be one of the cutest things I've ever seen.



Those cheeks just melt me. They are SO kissable.


I love that his book is upside down. He just thinks he is so big and old. He's such a little imposter!


Also in category of cutest-thing-ever. . . I was getting dressed/doing my hair/putting on makeup this morning upstairs in my room. Joel and Madeline had already left for the day and it was awfully quiet downstairs where the boys were. Awfully quiet is usually NOT a good thing. Here is what I found.

They were watching PBS before it was time for Garrett to go to school. As an only child I am constantly in awe of my kids relationships with each other. Yes, they have their moments. But all in all, I am pretty sure they are each other's biggest fans.

I came across a quote this week that sums up my feelings for these babies, these days.

Oh, let these moments move through us slowly, but linger forever in my heart.

Happy New Year!

We were lucky enough to bring in the 2008 with 6 of the Elite 8. (We missed you Hannah, Merrick and Gracie!) Annie and Kevin hosted, Melissa and Justin met us there too, and we all had a great time eating, drinking, playing Imaginiff, and of course chatting. Joel and I didn't get home until 3am- quite unusual for us tired parents. It was great fun though.


Everyone loves a little chocolate fondue! Especially these boys!


Me, Annie, and Melissa...pals since BIO, in Winter of 2000...before either of them were with their now hubbies!

Meanwhile, the rest of the Gibson 5, (our kids), celebrated with Nana Pam. Carter turned in around 9, Madeline made it until midnight, and Garrett boy couldn't quite do it...he fell asleep at 11:55 and could NOT be woken up! Maybe next year sweet boy.


Helping Nana make meatloaf.


The Bigs set the table for Nana as a surprise.


Special New Year's Dinner.


He almost made it!


Sissy's an old pro at staying up these days.


Carter, riding into 2008. (Sorry, couldn't help it...)