Gangster

As you know, there are two things that Luke dislikes: wearing hats and posing for the camera. So, the other night it was at once surprising and hysterical to watch Luke ham it up for the camera wearing a gangster hat that Keith had in the back of the closet. I guess it was a good old fashioned 'showing off for Grandma and Grandpa' situation.

11 Months

11 months old and it's hard to keep her on the chair...

Strolling

The other day Brigitte took the kids for a walk to our neighborhood market; Anna was in her stroller, and Luke pushed the doll stroller with some of his toys inside. It was pretty cute.

Big Little Lady

Our little dollini will be 11 months tomorrow and she seems so old already! Yesterday when she was sitting in her high chair--legs hanging down--I realized how big she is getting. Plus, she's walking like a pro, and doing cute things like waving and blowing kisses. I can't believe she'll be a year old soon.

Vegas

We just spent a few days in Las Vegas with Bill, Brigitte & the kids; good times were had by all. Unfortunately we didn't get any photos from our fun adult night out (Pilar was in town visiting her daughter and watched the kids one night). But here are a few others:

Luke's new best pal Woody came along for the trip...

 Anna and Luke loved the Bellagio fountains: 

 And Luke loved seeing Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Just before the photo Woody leaned in to Keith and said "you know we do this for tips, right?" Keith held back from saying "ok jackass" because Luke was right there...

 Woody came out to dinner and everywhere...

 Though the pool was heated, the air was a bit cool...

 With all of the huge open spaces, Anna had a blast toddling, while Luke had a blast running, sliding on the glossy floors, climbing things (while security guards asked us to get him down), putting his hands in fountains, going up and down escalators, pressing elevator buttons, and so on (you get the idea).

We visited the shark reef aquarium...

And we just had a good time. Luke definitely did too-- we kept forcing him to say "I'm in Vegas baby" over and over. It sounds funny coming from a 2.5 year old :) 
The sights and sounds of Vegas are always exciting.

Playing Outside on a "Winter" Day

We've had a busy week and I just managed to take some photos today. 

Bill & Brigitte arrived in town last week and Keith & I went to Portland, OR (alone!) for a long weekend. We had a great time and the kids behaved (or so B&B tell us).

Yesterday Luke came down with his second ear infection in six weeks. This time he was able to tell us "mine ear really huuts" while holding his right ear and crying. Luckily our awesome pediatrician squeezed Luke in yesterday afternoon, so he's on antibiotics once again and is doing better already.

So, Pilar took the kids out for a walk (it's not really winter here, afterall). 

I love this photo (below) because this is what Luke always does with his hands when he can't find something or is otherwise confused. It's usually accompanied by some kind of dialog like "where does Anna B. go?" or "I don't find it" or "nuffin" or--his newest one--"what's going on here?" or "I don't have mine green garbage truck?"

 "I'm making Balentimes, Mommy." He exchanged Valentines with his friends at school on Tuesday, so he has been talking about that.

 She's getting quicker on her feet!

This is what Luke was pushing down the street in his dump truck. There were two little toy men inside. 

Pre-Bowl Playground Trip

Since it was Spring-like here yesterday, we took a pre-Superbowl trip to the playground. Speaking of the Superbowl -- BOOOO! Keith was happy, but the rest of us (we watched with some New England friends) were so bummed.

Anyway, back to the playground... Anna B. is really into waving. If you say hi to her, she shakes her hand in the most adorable little wave you've ever seen!

And Luke enjoyed running around like a wild man (no surprise)...

Winter Hike

We went for a hike today; Luke and Anna both had a great time.

 Luke thought it was absolutely hysterical to throw snowballs at himself. Here's a sequence of that:

 Many times when we try to hike or bike or ski, one of our little ones (mostly Luke) is really not into it and we end up asking each other "why do we even bother?" 
So on a day like today, when both Luke AND Anna are having a good time, we're very happy :)