Zadie and Skip Hit the Ranch!

Last weekend, Zadie, Skip, and Tori all had their very first taste of the family ranch. It was my first time visiting since 2001 and it was great to be back. The weather was a bit of a drag, but we still got to have one night by the campfire. Zadie loved every bit of tromping around in the mud. Thanks to my parents for putting us up in a motorhome!

A bunch of family in front of my parents' new shipping container that they converted into a high-end trailer. They're such die-hard environmentalists that they even recycle their home. Haha.

Me and Skip with my Aunt Nancy and Aunt Kay. Best part of Texas? My aunts live there.

Hanging out by the campfire on the night it didn't rain. Skip was so bundled up you can't really see him. I call this Tori's Amelia Earhart hat.

Zadie had fun getting dirty. I interrupted her shoveling long enough to get this photo with my dad. "Shovel" was her very first two-syllable word (besides "mama").

Thanks to Cousin Mark for letting us borrow his Polaris. Zadie started out really excited about steering, but then eventually fell asleep at the wheel.

Thanksgiving in Washington

A few weeks ago we spent five days in Washington to celebrate Thanksgiving with Tori's family. Thank you to Tori's brother Zach for hosting all of us (I think there were 20 people at the house). As usual, a grand time was had by all. The photos above are from a day we spent ice-blocking at the park and then playing kickball. It was a tense competition, but Phoebe ultimately beat Zach in the ice-blocking Olympics.

The time we spend with Tori's family is quite a bit different than with mine. Both have their benefits, so it's nice to alternate holidays and experience the best of both worlds. It would be pretty fun to get my parents out on the field for some kickball, I have to admit!

And Now Zadie Zoo

Kim did a great job getting good photos of Zadie, especially considering the fact that she was in a difficult and annoying mood on this particular day! The one on the top is my very favorite.

In a terrible development, we seem to have lost the $40 hat that Zadie is wearing in one of these photos. Ack! We haven't seen it since our San Francisco trip. :(

Smiley Skip

These are my favorite photos of Skip. As you can see, he is a super smiley baby! And he looks pretty cute in overalls, too.