Write, Shoot, Document

Since Elizabeth came along, I've been inspired to write more, take photos more and simply document our lives more. Somehow, her birth reminded me how quickly life changes and how it doesn't follow expectations.

My grandmother Dorothy, at 94 years old, simply lit up when we brought the "great" grandkids to visit for Hanukkah. I'm so glad to be capturing these precious moments again. (welcome back to life Canon SLR camera - maybe I'll convince Ell to get me a really good one soon)

I wish I had time to write down everything we've done and how I've felt, but then I wouldn't really get to live in the moment. So when I can, I sneak a few minutes in the early morning before the kids rise (while sipping my coffee) and find my place on this blog.



Papa and the girls



Our new family of four flew to Long Beach on December 22nd and started a whirlwind visit to aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, steps and halves (but we consider them wholes) - and in-laws, too. We set down in Long Beach in the early evening and Maddi says - "I thought this was the desert. It's cold. It feels like Portland." Dad raced to rent the car before it closed for the night, and I kept the two girls plus pulled luggage off the conveyor belt. (Here me roar!!!)



The youngest cousins

We high-tailed it to Jamey and Adam's as we were tired, hungry and anxious to get our family vacation started. My mom and Irv were already there with dinner and a bottle of wine ready to go. Maddi and Abby reunited as if no time had separated them. They play better now than before - more independently and with more imagination (more mess too).



Mom lighting candles with the girls



The next day we tried and tried to get four adults and four kiddos ready to do something, anything - the park, a bike ride, even just pickup lunch! But it was all we could do to get to our grandparents' home on Wilshire by 4pm, and even then we were 30 minutes late.




Maddi and her Aunt Jamey

 

Have I mentioned how much I love the Kinect Just Dance? I must be way behind the times because every house we went to this holiday had one.