In response to repeated complaints from 2 seperate parties, who are of knowledge and wisdom beyond all others in reference to the visual appearance of my son and my most recent posting of pictures:

It's true Xander does have the appearance of old man. I would like to remind everyone that most infants share an incredible number of similarities to the elderly.

If you think about it your first birthday is, in essence, the same as your last. A close family member gathers a large group of people to celebrate. You sit in a chair and stare around the room blankly unable to truly focus on or understand what you see. Eventually there is a cake with a candle or two and every one is very excited and singing. You proceed to fail miserably in an attempt to blow out the these candles. You receive gifts that you don't understand or have any interest in. Then at the end of the party as everyone leaves someone tells you "These are your friends, thank them for coming." Which is good because you have no idea, up to this point, who all these people are.

Basic humanly functions are beyond the realm of your control in both stages of life.

Finally, I feel it is crucial to point out that all babies have very similar appearance to those of extended years by directing your attention to your own baby pictures:

It has been a long while. Halloween, a baby, thanksgiving, back to work, snow, and now lots of water everywhere. We have managed to stay relatively dry though the commute hasn't been much fun lately with all the road closures. Oh! I got my first cavity :(. Not much happening here just caring for the boy and trying to get as much sleep as possible while still making time for the girl. They are both a lot of fun though Xander isn't much more than larva at this stage: eat, poop, sleep (ha we wish), poop, rinse, repeat. Holly is recovering fast and adapting to her much more difficult life. Work is going well we are starting on some more work for non-profits. With any luck we will be able to make a difference for those who need it most.
I wish I could just spend all my time at home but sadly we must eat. Hope things are well with you all!

For a little fun Holly and I took Madeline out to a pumpkin patch last Saturday (13th, Oct). I'm including a few pictures. Holly is getting really tired of being pregnant - less than 3 weeks left.

This weekend My elder sister Erin came to hang out with us so we went down to Greenlake for some coffee and then out to the Edmond's waterfront/downtown for a walk. Pretty low key stuff just hanging out and getting ready for the arrival of number 2.

Holly's Birthday!

We took off on Saturday morning for the Leavenworth Fall Leaf Festival. On the road by 6am it was still dark Holly and Madeline slept most of the way up so I just enjoyed the soothing sounds of Nickel Creek and the fresh feel of the early morning air. Arriving early was a great idea! There was hardly anyone one there so we were able to enjoy the beauty and quaintnesses of this Bavarian village while sipping our coffee and marching along. The weather was a bit chilly so we had to stop off at the famous hat shop to pick up Madeline a new hat and gloves (her head has surpassed all previously purchased items). We were able to find the coveted "Charlie Brown Christmas ice skating rink" from dept. 56 for which Holly's mother has been searching and with a quick phone call picked up the last one. Over all a very relaxing and enjoyable day. Today? More coffee of course for the birthday woman then to church then dinner! Hope your weekend was fun too!

Today we are heading to my Great Uncle Karl's 95th birthday party!

The Plan:
Wake up 5am - shower; Pack the car with all the baby need items; drag/carry/prod or otherwise entice my wife and daughter into the car; drive to Leavenworth and buy some coffee for my wife and I; walk around perhaps get some breakfast; continue driving to Wenatchee - breakfast here if haven't eaten yet- walk around; drive to Quincy, WA where my great grandparents homesteaded and started a farming community; greet my great uncle (who still drives himself and lives at home) along with the ridiculous number of family and others who have come to witness this minor historic event.

Continue to Yakima to spend some time with my lil bro, sisters, and parents.
Come back home.

A truly inspired and beautiful plan (I do love an early morning drive).
Alas here i sit at nearly 7am because i simply did not have the audacity to interrupt the sleep of the most incredibly beautiful woman on earth. I could not disturb that porcelain face wrought with peace. Plan foiled - i now turn to my computer for entertainment.

Question Everything!