what are we up to?

Remodel fever has taken over our home. We are redoing the kitchen from top to bottom and possibly putting on a new front porch (pending lots of city permit approvals). So our weekends are full with meetings, trips to the design store, and me walking around measuring things. So far, I am fond of our contractor - I can only hope it lasts :) And all of the design elements are coming together quite well. Demo isn't until April so we've got some breathing room. But if you invite me over to your house, know that I'm going to question you about vents, soffits, hoods, and btus.

crazy hair day

E rocked crazy hair day at his school. We forgot it was late start day and he had to start the morning at his afterschool hangout. He was a bit worries the older kids wouldn't be so into it, but it turned out EVERYONE had done their hair - hot pink pigtails, fauxhawks, and even some army men tied to barrettes. Love school spirit week!

still knitting

I am still the knitting girl I've always been -just less so evident on the blog. I've been making some secret presents that I couldn't post - can't wait for them to make their way to their intended.

But here is my latest project - very fun mittens that have a lovely, frilly fringe. They are super colorful and silly. Not sure if they are for me or a friend - using KnitPicks Telemark Yarn - one of my favorites.

bath babies

It's hard to get E to agree to a bath with his sister. I like it so both are done at once and we have more time to play on school nights. He prefers his grown-up, and more importantly, private, showers. But I convinced him into one and got a few sweet pictures.

lost weekend, lost camera

So it's official. I've lost my camera. Somewhere between Dec. 26 and Dec. 31. The sad thing is I think I've lost it in my house. I kept thinking it would show up as we put away decorations, tidied up, etc but no. I can admit it's gone. So on to order another one and get back to blogging.

Luckily, my friend Lisa brought her camera with to the beach when we shared a getaway weekend with our kids!






We spent the weekend in Manazanita and lucked out with a pretty, sunny day on Saturday. So sunny and inspiring that the boys went straight for the waves!

I love this one!

christmas day

christmas eve, part two

My favorite night of the year- the big family Christmas Eve celebration - Santa, cousins, cocktails and many, many presents. Just a few pictures . . .

christmas eve part one

Some pre-Christmas eve shots.

crochet, mama

I just finished this scarf . . . and rather then knitting, I crocheted! And I can't share too many too many details because it's a gift on it's way to a dear friend.

it's a pattern call chain mail - very fun to work on. Hopefully she will like it - I am going to request a picture of her wearing it for the blog

card shark

One of my favorite things about my parents visiting is that we play cards nearly every day. E joined us tonight for "65" - which is kind of like a progressive gin rummy. He ended up in second place and made it through the whole game. The soda pop and chex mix didn't hurt.

09 cookie exchange

egg nog logs, lemon rosemary shortbread, peanut butter cherry coconut bonbons, jam thumbprints, coffee crisps - it's a good cookie exchange year! No blizzard to keep us from sharing. yeah!

yeah christmas!

em's first little girlfriend

Em has been in a class of all boys since she was five months old. She loves her boys but definitely talks a lot about her official first girlfriend, who happens to live across the street - Margaret. Margaret is very serious - yet very funny, even wry. While they haven't started interactive play, they do circle each other a bit and play next to each other. I am looking forward to seeing their friendship grow

e's birthday

7! My best boy is 7! What a great celebration we had! I don't have words yet to put it all in perspective but here are some photos from his big day, from breakfast to party time.

yeah Wisconsin

Another year, another lovely trip to Wisconsin.
We took our Christmas card picture out in my parents' woods. We marched out a bit and found a great rock and picture-perfect log, hoping no wayward hunters would pick us off.

We spent some time out on the farm. Emme and Ev fed the llamas and an old donkey that Em believed was a pony.

E rowed around the pond like a pro.

And of course, candy bloomed on the candy tree the day we arrived. Em was thrilled!

abelskiver off

The annual abelskiver off took place on Saturday up at the Cedros kitchen. All of the cooks from last year returned - though everyone stepped up their game this year. Those lovely orbs of pancakes were stuffed with lemon-ricotta-cherry preserves, trip chocolate, sausage, pumpkin butter, and many more.
Tall House, Double Cup took my killer Bloody Mary mix to a new level with a Wisconsin bacon stirrer. Who needs celery?
I love this event because I get to sit back and enjoy while others cook. The kids play, run, sing, and eat. There is video of below of their newly formed band . . . .
Another great year!

dinner, wine, pictionary, kids, and a little knitting

You've gotta love it when the Cedros clan comes over for dinner. Em talks about Maria all day in anticipation and then gets very shy when she arrives. E plots for ways to get everyone to do exactly what he wants, and everyone ends up with double dessert with ice cream and the best pumpkin pie, baked by Marfie.
This is the first thing (gasp!) that I've knit for Sam. Maria took it very well that I didn't have a handmade hat for her too. But I had to get my knitting on this gorgeous mug!