Okay, here's the real thing, with another dog photo thrown in for fun. Those two have lots of quality time snuggling on days when the high is 12.

tree, installed

Here is our sweet little tree shining bright!

Good dogs

Hugo and Suki are hunkering down for the winter - the IDEA of a walk makes them shiver.

Finding Our Tree

Our first snow of the year (7 delightful inches) on the day we tromped through a card friends' woods in search of a tree. It was magical. Witness the winter coat I bought before ever moving to MN and the snow pants I finally got on sale at the end of last season! A cold wet butt gets old.
I told Otto we were going to trim the tree and he looked at me with a shocked expression and said "Why cut it up?"
This was the first year he could really help and though one or two branches at toddler height are a sagging under the weight of their ornaments he did a fine job. Photos of that another day.

We also went to the cabin - Otto got to go into the loft (with the treacherous stair case) for the very first time BY HIMSELF. I went to check on him and he told me he wanted to be alone. Otto also enjoys me taking photos of myself. I tricked him by including him in the photo but he found me out. So now I have another shot of me snarling without him to add the levity.

We had a great Thanksgiving visiting with relatives and friends. Here are a few highlights - Otto wanted to bring his snow clothes to Thanksgiving dinner at Grandad and Bubbles' so he could play in the dusting of snow, but ended up in the birdbath instead.

Here's the darker side - it's not all giggles around here!

We had the pleasure of a visit from Grammie, all the way from Walnut Creek! There was lots of libraries, stories, running around outside, and of course some four year old fussing. It was a real treat.

Grammie got to see Otto doing the closest thing to swimming yet during a lesson this afternoon. He jumped with vigor from the platform and would make it about halfway to the island, take a breath with support from his teacher, and swim the rest of the way. I am in the process of convincing him that pumping his legs is how to swim, just like in running. He is sure getting there.

Having fun

Here are the ghosts Otto and I created to make our house spooky for Halloween. Also find a photo of Otto helping clean up the garden for winter. Finally witness my new wool coat - purchased at Old Navy this afternoon! So it's not a good photo of Otto - it is a rare good one of me and that's enough!

Out on an adventure! We're still having lovely weather but snow is predicted for tonight - we'll see. I have a 6am chiropractor appt - hope I don't have to scrape the windshield first.

Halloween

Yep, our little pirate had fun. He was all set to be a burgler - something he is fascinated with. Then he found out that pirates get to carry swords. Oh well, so much for originality.

Playground Fun

A while ago (when my iPhoto was wonky) I took these photos at the playground. They both ended up goofy - that swing looks like an enormous diaper and that tongue slide gives me the willies. But Otto had fun!

More cuddle with Zadie. Speaking of bed last night after a good night kiss Otto said his usual " Will you come when I call?" I said "Yes but I will tell you to roll over and go back to sleep and I'll come in a few minutes." His response "I'll say I can't sleep." Sounds like we're in a rut, but at least we all know our roles!

We chose a great day for pumpkin picking with Auntie Sarah and pals. I'm in charge of the pumpkin patch, Tim does the carving - we'll see what he comes up with. Thanks to little critter's sister Otto didn't want to carve the face at first so as not to hurt the pumpkin. Then he found out that the light won't show through and changed his mind.

Oh thank goodness, we are back. Due to technical difficulties I have not been able to photos but I've finally got those worked out. I'll post more in the upcoming days but here are two highlights from our visit with Sarah and Zadie - Otto wanted to read Zadie a book, good thing he chose a wordless one.

Be the Tree

I took Otto to his 4 year old doctor appt today - at 36 pounds and 39 inches he is in the 15th percentile for height, 50th for weight. My little fire plug.

Party activities

We had centers at the Curious George party (that's a choice of activities for you non-teachers) here are photos of three of them: Pin the tail on Curious George (why doesn't he have one?), draw on the wall, and going fishing. There was also using George stamps and alphabet stamps (thanks Grammie!).

More party pix

Our Tuesday night card club junior members enjoying the party.

A creative (if not tasty) feat!

Brace yourselves, Brannigans! This is chocolate cake FROM A BOX with caramel frosting FROM A TUB. It honestly didn't taste that good but it was cute. Otto ate the leftover Oreos for dessert.

More birthday tyranny

Here are three generations at Otto's dinner party.

Birthday Boy

We started off year number four watching Auntie Ellenne run past at mile 7 of 10. She paused for a quick smooch.

We had a great party with cards friends full of fishing (in a bucket) drawing on the wall (with paper), stamping, giving Curious George a tail and general joy. Thanks to everyone for contributing!

A song in his soul

Otto reported that the kid sitting next to him at preschool asked "would you please stop singing" (including the please!) and Otto said no! He didn't mean to be a twerp, he's just got to sing. These days it is usually Ring of Fire, Elvis Presley Blues or the Gambler.

Tired because

No wonder they are so tired - they kept us up panting and pacing through a thunderstorm last night. Suki is smart she curls up next to me under the covers and goes to sleep - Hugo is the restless one. We heard yells from Otto's room "go away" - when Tim went in Hugo was standing on his pillow.

Still morning brings peace...

Almost too busy to look up

This one also made it to the favorites paper.

I remeber the first man I saw wearing capris and just about died laughing at him. Oh how the worm turns.

SO GREEN

We are cherishing our last green days - this was taken a week ago and already the lawn is covered with dead leaves!

Quality time

Otto's first Henry and Mudge - books about a boy and his dog

Construction Worker/Architect

Aunt Sue convinced us to buy blocks of the same dimentions - Otto thanks her.

Let's see if I can document some of the busy lives that are the Webers for family and friends.

Today Otto said, Yep, it was good! while sitting on the green chair in reference to preschool.

Except, he didn't go today. Hmm, maybe I need to check out a book about time...

We were asked to submit a piece of 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper with Otto's favorite things to preschool. I printed them out with 12 photos on a page, but still didn't even come close. This one of Suki made it though (and the rock collection).