Making Music

We've all been dusting off our musical skills recently. Ev has been wanting to pick up the trumpet again for a while, and now he really has the time and opportunity. Trevor is practicing his embrasure, as well, and puts out some pretty good sounds! We love hearing Dad play each evening as he plays through his repertoire of old fight songs, marches and our hymnal. The kids love it when he goes through bugle calls. That's fine- just as long as he doesn't wake us up with reveille.

We're Here

I guess it's pretty bad when my own husband asks me if I've abandoned the blog. No, I haven't abandoned it. We've just been busy doing our thing, with nothing much to report.

We've been catching up on sleep,










doing lots of reading,














and generally enjoying some quiet days together. Don't worry, we're here. We're well. And we'll try to do better about blogging in the near future.

With the Fishes

One of the highlights of our trip to was our visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Ev, Daniel and I biked from the house down to Cannery Row, most of which is a gorgeous ride along the ocean. That's the first time I've ever biked to a museum, and it was great- especially since a change of clothes greeted me at the museum, and I didn't have to bike back home. We spent the rest of the day observing the fishes (yes, finally learned when to say fish, and when to say fishes). Uncle Daniel made fish faces; Grandma touched a Sea Star for the first time; Braden and Trevor found the Octopuses and the Sea Horses; we all touched the densest fur in the world (the sea otter); and Vi slept. Yes, it's true. As fun as the Monterey Aquarium is, Vi managed to sleep through most of it. I guess when you have yearly passes you get a little jaded. As for the rest of us, we were in an underwater wonderland.

The New Girl

Introducing my adorable little niece. As was proper for her first Christmas, she was showered with attention and thoroughly cuddled and held by every visiting relative. Her cousins also seemed to think she was okay. She didn't try to take any of their toys, and there was still enough love to go around. Isn't it amazing how love multiplies like that?





What a cutie, huh? Vi, we loved meeting you and can't wait to see you again!