B's big trip out west

Bridgette went out West this past weekend. A lot of those trip photos follow.

Here, B and her friend Wendy hang out in the Spagetti Factory.

Isn't it impressive that Zoe could take this picture? 

Diane with a happy Zoe

Here's Bridgette's friend Diane with a very happy Zoe. I'm not sure what Diane's son is doing, but Zoe seems to like it, so, hey, good job Kalil (which is probably misspelled). 

Diane, her son, and Zoe

Here's Bridgette's friend Diane, with her son Kalil (which is probably spelled wrong) and, of course, Zoe.

Aren't those fabulous floors? 

Zoe in the sink/bath

Like a turkey, Zoe can be cleaned in the sink! Here, Terry's doing it! 

Zoe rolled over in Seattle!!!

I think it must be the air quality. 

Zoe with Wendy

I think they're having fun . . . 

Cousin (in-law) Tom and his wife

The seem very excited to hold Zoe.

Perhaps a little too excited. 

Very pretty in pink

I never thought I'd go for the pink thing in a baby girl, but she does look fetching.

Long time viewers, will, doubtless, recognize Mr. Banana. 

Dad and Zoe in Bjorn

Of course, I'm not in the Bjorn, only Zoe.

You could probably tell that from the picture. 

Surly

He's one toddler you don't want to mess with. 

Zoe is in awe

Here, Zoe learned that her mom has been married to her dad for eight years (as of today!).

Mom deserves an award, Zoe thinks. 

Owen plays with Zoe

He, apparently, wanted to encourage her to kick. 

Gran and Owen!!

Here's my mom with Owen. It was pretty funny; each time he'd come around he'd wave and smile and B and I.

I don't know that he understood how the moving in a circle thing works. 

Happy family!

The happy family (minus dad). 

Mother and child

Here's B with Zoe! 

Daddy/daughter dance

Zoe and I enjoy a dance together. Also, if you look closely at my teeth, you can see that I am a chipmunk. 

Chest paint

I'm pretty sure I saw this chest pain pattern on the Indiana Jones movie with all the gross food. 

Fingerpainting

I had a very dumb idea today. I thought it would be fun to fingerpaint. It was too hot to go outside, so I busted out the fingerpaints. At least I had the good sense to strip Owen down to his diaper first. Apparently, like the folks at Burning Man, Owen thinks his body is a better canvass than the paper which was available for his use.

Not depicted, unhappy rushed bath afterwards for me, Zoe, and Owen after Owen decided Zoe would be a pretty good canvass too. 

Cooking!

Owen and I have really gotten into cooking! Here, we're making pudding. Today (not depicted) we made oatmeal cookies. Sadly, Owen really likes the batter, and he and I had an unfortunate disagreement over who got to finish it. He won, but only because I'm more reluctant to cry over easily prepared foods. 

About the Dr. Pepper

I can't decide if the consumption of Dr. Pepper, if that's what Owen is doing in this photo, is defensible as a way of getting Owen in touch with his Texas roots on his paternal grandmother's side of the family, or if this photo doesn't rule out that we just but apple juice in a can which previously held Dr. Pepper so that Owen would feel grown-uppy. I guess it depends on the burden of proof at hearings convened by child protective services. 

Pretty in pink

Zoe, unaware that she's supposed to enjoy wearing pink, looks worried. 

Paternity test

This was how Andy first greeted Zoe upon meeting her. He stood like that for more than an hour. I started to take pictures in case we'd need them for court later. At the end, Andy proclaimed that she was, indeed, my daughter, then went into our TV room and slept for 47 straight hours. When he emerged, he would only wear a tank top and had shaved off his underarm hair.

I think it had something to do with a loyalty oath to SEIU. 

New policy

At Zoe's request, after Andy's trip, we now try to make sure our house guests get at least two square meals a day. It just makes the children more comfortable. 

Why does Andy look that way?

And was there another camera above me somewhere? Or did he see the start of the Rapture? 

Zoe and B

You can also see Andy, in the background, chasing Owen.

Ahh . . . that's a good uncle.