friday photos

One of the many awesome things my mom does is hand craft a special outfit for each of her grandchildren to wear for their blessing day in our church. We did Isis's blessing a few weeks ago. Here are some shots to show off her gown. I love the colors mom chose, almost as much as I love Isis's stubborn ebony mohawk.

friday photos

A few snapshots from Xena's first birthday, a few weeks ago. Going through our B+ pictures, I decided that something really cool should happen to us so a documentary filmmaker can follow us around and take all the photos and videos for us.

In the meantime...

Xena wasn't very interested in her birthday cake, just the candle. But I assure you, this Chocolate Tres Leches cake from Mel's Kitchen Cafe is divine. Considering this is about the 2nd cake I've ever attempted to make from scratch, I would rate it pretty easy and fool-proof.

friday photos

Xena celebrates her 1st birthday tomorrow! In honor of her (not, not, because I'm too lazy to upload new photos) here's a collection of some of my favorite Xena expressions captured on film over the last year.

Friday photos

Coming home from a trip to the library.

friday photos

A few outtakes from the past month.

Xena engaged in her favorite past time. So long, asparagus tip.

Enjoying the sandbox.

Genghis helps me make cookies. He is thinking about grabbing an entire ball of dough. I am in-the-ready.

Xena "I like to feel the wind in my hair" Gong.

Genghis giving Xena a ride on the train. His narration, as he carefully pushed her across the deck:

"Be careful. Watch out. We are going to crash in to the fence. Here we go. We are going to crash. Watch out!"

*crash*

no injuries

Genghis posing in the awesome sweater vest my mom knitted him for Christmas.

friday photos - sneak peak

First off, a sneak peak of our new apartment. This is our deck. I think it was advertised as 800 square feet. The sandbox is a bit lonely out there.

Now, some random photos of the kids. Since coming to a new place and figuring out new routines, Genghis and Xena have had a lot more playtime together. So here are some pictures of them around the house or around the park, which is where we mostly are these days.

Note: Genghis' underwear was a first feeble attempt at potty training. Not successful.

Genghis is wearing Xena's shirt. Xena, as usual, wears nothing. 

 What's she looking at?

Oh yes, him again.

friday photos

In photos, I'm behind by not one, but two grandparent meet-ups! Plus a sibling reunion (luckily I took approximately 1 photo during the reunion).

Genghis at the Sault Ste. Marie Locks in Michigan's Upper Pennisula.

 Grandpa showing him the boat.

 Xena and Grandma at the park.

 Grandpa and Genghis coming down the twisty slide. California is a lot farther from Grandma and Grandpa Olsen, which makes us a little sad.

Some bonus smile photos.

Adorable Xena smile.

And ... Genghis smile, in his pink Sunday shirt and red scarf.

friday photos

It's been over a month since our family reunion with Abe's family in California. Just getting around to posting some photos. Turns out, I didn't end up taking many...

Genghis takes on the Pacific.

With some help from Dad.

Learning to fly a kite. Or, Genghis lets go of a string and Chris chases it down the beach.

Family hike on the coastline.

Brothers.

Goofy faces with Grandma.

And food.

Baby Xena was here.

friday photos

For Family Home Evening a few weeks ago (for those who aren't members of the LDS Church, Family Home Evening is an evening we set aside each week, usually Mondays, to have a brief gospel lesson and activity as a family), Abe told us the story of Captain Moroni, from the Book of Mormon. He is a captain of the people's army who tears his clothing into a banner proclaiming their commitment to their God, families, and freedom.

Abe introduced Genghis to the concept of flags, flagpoles and banners through some Google images. Then we turned one of Xena's burp clothes into a flag, writing our family values on it with permanent marker, and tied it to a broom as a banner.

Genghis was pretty excited about the whole concept.

friday photos

It's Xena time! She's so cute...