Kieran singing

Kieran's class had a Christmas concert today, here he is singing Santa Claus is coming to town in espanol, you can hear him yelling "No debes gritar" (you better not shout) into the microphone.

Christmas Tree

Here are a few pictures of preparations for Christmas. Kieran & Quinn putting their letters for Santa in the fireplace for Santa (is it weird Quinn wants ice), the boys decorating the tree (great effort but questionable execution, there ended up being about 15 ornaments on 4 branches), Kieran & Quinn w/ Charlie, and a typical ending of them wrestling on the ground (this time wrestling to see who would win, Rudolph (Kieran) or Santa (Quinn).

England November

Jennifer and the boys went to visit her folks in England and all had a great time. Pictures here are of them in the Sherwood Forest with their bow and arrows and their cousin Zach in front of the major oak (where Robin Hood and his merry men slept), in front of the Southwell Minster where we were married (first built in the 7th century), playing hide in seek in the ruins of the Archbishop of York's palace near the minster, Kieran walking down the street from Jennifer's folks house into Southwell and of Kieran and Quinn with their Great "little" Grandmom

Halloween 2010

It was great to have Jay and Delilah up for Halloween, we always love to have them up here and the boys were super excited. Quinn thinks he is a little comedian and will keep going up to Jay saying "Hi Uncle Chris" hoping to get Jay to tickle him. Here are a few pics from yesterday. One of Quinn explaining the art of pumpkin carving to Jay, who couldn't quite understand his instructions and cut off the stem (nothing that superglue can't fix). Jay took over my duties as the Cat and the hat and helped keep them rounded up during the trick-or-treating. As soon as they got back, Quinn tried his best to stake claim to as much of the candy as possible. And for some unknown reason, anytime kids came up to the door for candy Kieran and Quinn would yell "another customer is here: and run to the door to pass out the candy.

Fall Party at CSA

We went to the Fall party at the farm today. The boys had a great time. Quinn won his heat in the sack race, ending up beating Kieran who had taken an early lead but had tripped up a bit. Both lost the "Chicken Bingo" after picking squares, the winner was the one whose square is pooped on first. Also, not too much luck in the egg toss, Quinn had a hard time getting the jist of tossing "softly" (unfortunately for Kieran)

Quinceaneras

Went to a Quinceaneras (traditional 15th girls birthday in Mexico) for the daughter of the woman whose daycare Kieran and Quinn go to. All had a good time, Kieran stayed busy cutting the rug most of the evening

Fishing

Went fishing Sat with the boys, they had a great time. Kieran caught 3, Quinn 2 and between Quinn kept "catching" the worms (although they were big nightcrawlers so he kept calling them snakes. They camped out downstairs and watched a movie which was also exciting for them.

Quinn playing Wii

Quinn demonstrating how he plays the Wii

Fishing/Air Show

Went fishing and Kieran/Quinn had a lot of fun although didn't catch anything (except each other). They had a great time at the air show, Kieran really likes looking at them all. Kieran is having fun at school and is pretty used to the routine now.

1st Day of School

Kieran started Kindergarten and has loved his first week. He is attending a Spanish immersion school so his teacher won't speak english to him. He has a good friend Cami in class whose mother is also from England which has also been a help. Quinn went with him on Friday to drop him off and wanted to go to class also so the change has been as much for him as Kieran. All in all though Kieran has loved it.

August 2010

Kieran and Quinn got to meet their cousin Nate, Quinn wouldn't leave him alone. They also went to the Sonoma County fair where they got to act as the "pieces" during a game of candyland. Also went to the farm and played bocce ball and played with the goats.

Kieran's 5th Birthday

Kieran had a great birthday. He traded up to a new bike and passed his old one to Quinn who was ecstatic to get it. They have been having a great time riding around. Kieran's birthday party had a airplane theme, he really liked his cake.

Standish Hickey

Went camping this weekend up in the redwoods. The boys and Charlie spent 2 full days playing in the river nonstop. They spent most of the time throwing rocks and playing on their boats (and sometimes chasing water snakes, as you can see Kieran doing with the snake in the bottom left of the one photo slithering away in the river). They were passed out at the end of each day. We also stopped at the "amazing" confusion hill on the way hom e where the boys could walk through cheezy buildings where gravity had no effect.

Sausalito

Spent a few days visiting the boys cousin's down in Sausalito where they were staying on a houseboat on vacation. They had a great time with them and they haven't stopped talking about them now that they have left.