Santa 2012

The kids got to see Santa today at the St. Paul Mothers of Multiples family party. Ben was eager to get up on his lap and tell Santa that he wants a camouflage backpack for Christmas. Maddie, on the other hand, was reluctant and at first sat on the floor sort of pouting. Eventually she sat on Dad's lap, next to Santa. I don't think she said anything to Santa, though. :-)

From 2012-12-08

From 2012-12-08

From 2012-12-08

Pension spiking

I've got a new story in tomorrow's Pioneer Press -- the result of six, long months of work. Lots and lots of data analysis and learning about the complicated subject of public pensions! My analysis uncovered evidence of pension spiking in the St. Paul Fire Department among a handful of supervisors. We're expecting that the story will generate a significant public outcry! That's the kind of work I most love! There are two stories, plus graphics....which you can read here: http://www.twincities.com/pensions

Away in the manager

I sat down at the piano today to play some Christmas music and Maddie recognized "Away in the Manger." They're going to be singing it for the preschool Christmas show on Tuesday, so she wanted to show me the "motions." So we got the video recorder out and this is about the fourth take.....

Thanksgiving 2012

My brother came for Thanksgiving this year and, as usual, we had an awesome feast. The highlight was a to-die-for coconut cream pie that David made. The leftovers didn't make it to the end of the day Friday. :-)

From 2012-11-22

From 2012-11-22

Here's Maddie playing "doctor" with Uncle David:

From 2012-11-22

From 2012-11-22

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we put up the Christmas tree. Maddie helped me with the ornaments -- and boy was she proud! Ben was napping during most of that and even when he woke up, he didn't want to help.

From 2012-11-22

My little band (in costume, of course)

Ben & Maddie put on a little show for me tonight...

New photos...

New photos!

From 2012-10-03

From 2012-10-03

From 2012-10-03

From 2012-10-03

From 2012-10-03

Jamey's birthday

Here are some very belated pictures from Jamey's birthday last week. He's wearing two "birthday hats" that Ben & Maddie made for him. Gifts were a pair of Crocs and his favorite river shorts (and he bought himself a new leaf blower)

From 2012-09-19

From 2012-09-19

From 2012-09-19

Summer pics from the phone

I finally unloaded all the pictures from my iphone so I can order prints and post them here. There are sooo many from this summer that I put them into a slideshow, here....

Vacation time at the cabin

We came up to the cabin Thursday morning for a 4-day weekend during our "vacation" week. The weather is chilly (50 degrees at night!), so we haven't been out swimming. But that means there's been more time for riding the Power Wheels jeep, blowing bubbles and collecting acorns (there are LOTS of them!). Here are some pics...

From 2012-08-18

From 2012-08-18

From 2012-08-18

From 2012-08-18

From 2012-08-18

From 2012-08-17

From 2012-08-17

Como Town fun

Yesterday we took Ben & Maddie to Como Town, which has rides that are mainly geared toward littler kids plus a splash pad and play area. They had such a fantastic time. Here are some pics....

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14

From 2012-08-14