Mohawk baby

If Wiley turns out as rebellious as his hair we are going to have our work cut out for us...! :)

Giddy-up!

Wiley started his ride on Mami's shoulders, but she didn't like how he pulled her hair. So he was passed along. Daddy's comment: my hair is too long!!

Happy 1st Birthday Wiley!

Not taken on his actual birthday (second- child syndrome strikes again!) but at least here's one good one from his birthday weekend! It was actually at Graydon's friend Vincent's (of recent hiking fame) 4th birthday party.

Tonight's menu

In celebration of Neal's second dear this season finally all processed and put away in the freezer, we had a feast tonight. Bacon-wrapped backstrap (aka filet mignon) from the grill, with sauteed mushrooms and onions in a red wine reduction and pan-friend hash browns. Paired with a 2011 J. Lohr Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignion. Mmm mmm good. We even busted out the good dishes for the occasion.

Hiking post follow-up

Our intrepid hiker just wanted to watch until all the skiiers had finished...

Hiking with friends

Graydon and his friend Vincent were awesome hikers at Emma Long Park today. Nearly three miles of rocks, dirt, mud, and at least a dozen creek crossings didn't slow them down a bit! (Thanks to Vincent's mom Susanne for this photo during the only rest stop!) Kiwi also had a great time as this trail was an off-leash area of the park.

Brothers snuggle

Wiley stacking blocks

Well, I guess this is a third official milestone we hit just today, though perhaps a little more obscure than crawling and talking: stacking two blocks:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg_RsoK7U_Q

I think there must be something favoring procrastination in our gene pool... :)

Two milestones!

Wiley managed two milestones this week: crawling (though still rather tentatively) and his first real words: "mamama", "meh" (mehr aka more) and "ba" (ball). I guess he knew the one-year deadline was looming. :)

Here you can see an example of both in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDErzuF-ZZE

Documenting the drought

Felt like documenting the drought a little today. Here is a panoramic shot of a small bay in Lake Buchanan, which is currently around 39% full. The lake level is still a few feet above its all-time low, which it got within a hair's breadth of reaching last summer.

And, yes, that dot in the middle is Kiwi, swimming out to retrieve her dummy. I'm multi-tasking as usual. :)

Putting his toys away

Not sure he knows that's where they belong, but he's really quite deliberate about it!

http://youtu.be/r88Ip_qwxzI

PS: Never mind the background noise - Kiwi is panting because we just came in from playing a protracted game of fetch.

Baby Steps

With a little "help" from Kiwi, Wiley managed to walk his high chair across the kitchen, through the door, and all the way down the hallway to the front door. He still is a little wary of letting go...

A new "Eddie?"

Hmm, I'm not see Ernie appreciates being a substitute...