Me in the Gym

Evidence that it’s not entirely true that I never go to the gym, it’s just my definition of ‘gym’ is slightly different from the one in the dictionary.

Back home and ready for a shower.

Cracking Nuts

Family outing: The Nutcracker at Pacific Northwest Ballet. Very good, and all three boys enjoyed their first ballet experience.

As you can see, we got into the spirit of the cultural experience and really dressed up for the occasion: them’s my bestest stripes.

We’d parked on the other side of the Seattle Center so had a quick scoot around the international fountain before zipping back over the lake to collect Ewok from his playdate with Tommy & Henry.

Smashing day grommit.

Ewok’s 3-step Christmas

Step 1: Presents

Step 2: Food

Step 3: Fresh air

Split Skull

I was fortunate to receive a small selection of beers from the boys. This one was particularly pleasant.

It dulled the pain from the cracker jokes quite nicely.

Christmas Day Walk

How to top a stretch after a massive Chef-F inspired brunch with a stroll in Paradise? Bumping into friends on the trail who’d brought Sunny along to run with Ewok.

Arsenal Supporter

H had an Arsenal Christmas, lots of red and white and the result against Aston Villa wasn’t too shabby either.
Unke Paul & Granddad even had a Boxing day quiz. Thank-you Wikipedia :-)

Pre-Christmas Haircut

School had sent home a note to say that long trousers would be a good idea in the sub-zero conditions, much to H’s disgust. So what better way to celebrate warm knees than a dad-style haircut?

Lego Fun

Lots of lego building (no need for a puzzle this year) and the BEST is still to come!

Preparations

Fay decorating the Ewok-safe awesome tree.

Happy Christmas

To you, from us.

Finn = Six

Happy birthday Finn!
Some splashing at Great Wolf Lodge before amazing Cadbury’s Chocolate Birthday Cake at home.
(Big thanks from Finn for all the pressies and birthday wishes, and especially to D&F for the cha cha cha.)

Wonderful Mrs. Ito sent home a special poem for the special day:
When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever,
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.
A. A. Milne, 1927

I’ll always remember Gran reading this to us. Happy birthday Gran.

Lego Building

F’s on a roll, a big Lego building extravaganza of a roll.

List writing

Post-party thankyou

Birthday Party

Passing the parcel, took a while with 24 layers.

Strange things in the woods…

…is that one of Santa’s little helpers?

Walking the dog

It’s a tad chilly, but Fay wrapped up warm to walk Ewok.

F F F Freezing

Riding to work was a bit chilly this morning. Minus 10 in the shade.
Still, I had the bike lane to myself…

Winter Sky

Lake Washington and a Seattle skyline from a chilly bench in Kirkland.
Lunch from The Slip was excellent – just as Fay promised it would be.

Can I park here then or what?

Clue: it was a Sunday.
Answers on a postcard please.

Driftwood

walking off a 12 year dinner

As previously explained, a walk was required this morning, so a walk we had.

Ewok had fun with sticks.

And I had fun with an imported real chocolate crunchie.

And the view of over Lake Washington wasn’t half bad either.

(Fay had fun teaching Ewok to train me to walk to heel.)

Lichen

On the path in St Edwards park.

Twelve Years

We first met at a place called St Edwards so an anniversary walk down to the lake at another St Edwards felt very apt. Besides, we both needed to walk off a rather over indulgent dinner from the previous evening. Ewok came along for the exercise, big thanks to VJR&H for looking after the other two boys!

12 years, just as awesome as 11. Thanks Beautiful.

Frosty Morning

Cold, clear, nights mean frosty sunlit mornings.

Winner

F’s long line of amazing creations took another step into the unknown earlier today as his My Family entry in the Visual Arts category was one of the winners selected for the next round. We’re all very proud!
F’s only concern is that it doesn’t go too much further in the competition – “when will we get the picture back” was his response on hearing the news.