Group Photo (Attempt): Will, Hazel, Beatrix and Lily

This is what happens when you try to get a group shot of four toddlers:

New Year's Eve Train Ride

We headed to Porterville, CA to ring in the New Year with Aunt Karissa, Uncle Matt and Cousin Lydia. Mimi and Poppie were visiting, too! We celebrated New Year's Eve with a visit to a sparkling light show, complete with a NYE train ride. Happy 2012!

Dr. Misner

Christmas Day Bike Ride

Will found a shiny red balance bike underneath the Christmas tree this morning. We took it out for a ride, and Will showed off his newfound skills, even heading "off-road" for some mountain biking action.

Christmas Morning 2011

We must have been good, because Santa left lots of presents under the tree on Christmas morning!

















Will discovered a Boeing 787 and "flew" into the room. A new bike and the fire engine he asked for were also big highlights!

Peace on Earth 2011

Holiday Stripes

Matching socks complete Will's
reindeer jammie outfit in high style!

First S'more, First "Inside Joke"

It had been awhile since our last visit to "The Cabin" with Michele, Derek and Sadie. This time we were also joined by Sadie's brother, Liam, and Michele's sister, Jenny, her husband, Dan, and brand new Baby Callie! Our visit included some notable "firsts," including Will's first s'more and experiencing his first inside joke.

Liam stayed cozy in his bear snuggly, once a favorite of Will's, and blew us some kisses:

Sadie and Will chased each other up and down the stairs to the balcony above the Great Room.

Then we spent a little time looking at the redwood trees.

Now, how about those s'mores?!

Everyone wished Mama a Happy Thirtysomething'th Birthday!








As for the inside joke, all we're gonna say about that is, "Jenny, what are you talking about?!?"

Will v. Santa 2011

Let's just say that Will appears to be a little a lot closer to Santa than he really was thanks to the fancy new software that was sponsoring the Santa photo booth. It wasn't quite last year's experience, but despite intense negotiations ahead of time, once again, there was no way that Will was going near the Big Man's lap.

All that said, he did let Santa know what he was hoping to find under the tree - a pumper fire truck with a ladder on the side (not to be confused with a hook-and-ladder truck) - gave Santa a high-five and wished Santa's helpers Happy Holidays!

Making Gingerbread Houses

Will, Hazel, Lily and Beatrix decorated gingerbread houses for Christmas. When all was said and done, Will had added a "door in the front," a "door in the back" and two windows, plus lots of roof decorations.

Will also tasted M and Ms for the first - and definitely not the last, if today is any indication - time!