Christmas 2005

Another fun Christmas in the Northwest! Here's Skyler discovering her Santa presents, starting with a new Harry Potter book and some hair ties...

... the rest of the family (you know I'm never in these)...

MacKenzie loved her new blankie from Uncle Marv & Aunt Kris!

Tae Kwon Do

Greg and Skyler have been taking Tae Kwon Do a couple of nights a week. Greg had already taken Tae Kwon Do for a few years before he was sick, but this is all new for Skyler. She took her first belt test, graduating from white to yellow (yeah, I'm not a proud parent, can you tell?). Part of her test was to break a board and this picture is of her getting ready for her kick. That's Instructor Joe holding the board for her. If you look closely you can see Greg in the background reflection of the mirror, waiting for his test. Greg tested that same night just shortly after Skyler, he currently has a green belt and the new level he tested for is called 'high-green'.

Superhawk

My Dad's new motorcycle here. He was a Harley rider for years and has recently converted over to the other side, along with most of his buddies who have also moved away from their Harley's and purchased either BMW's or similar bikes. Brother Brian in Flagstaff, AZ also has this same bike except in RED. They are planning a road trip up together up to Seattle on their bikes in Summer 2006.

Living in Fresno, Dad's able to ride in the countryside throughout most of the year, since the weather is fairly mild -- hot in the summer but mild winters. When he's bundled up in his riding gear and helmet, he's often mistaken for one of those young foolish kids breaking the law. Except when a poor unsuspecting police officer pulls over my Dad for an infraction of the law, they don't know who they're dealing with, and certainly they wish they had just kept their eyes on that newspaper they were reading just moments before their day was completely ruined.

Tioga Pass

This is my brother Brian at Tioga Pass with his motorcycle, probably taken last summer 2005. Dad sent this picture, I believe this might have been their road trip when Brian was on his way up north to Seattle. He and Dad rode together through northern California and then Brian stayed north on his own to visit us here in the Northwest. He has been a motorcycle rider for most of his life, he's owned more motorcycles than cars and amazingly he even rides in the winter in Flagstaff, which can't be easy and proves he's a great rider. Brian and Dad are planning another summer ride in 2006, this time all the way up to Seattle together, along with some other friends too. Dad has a friend that owns a tugboat that's converted into a "houseboat" that's docked in Seattle and he plans on staying on the tugboat while he's here.

Dark Angel

Skyler wanted to be a vampire this year. Although she still likes pretty princess dresses and sparkly things, she wanted a dark and mysterious costume for a change.

She tried on every costume we own. This one below is a Barbarian Viking costume from a few years ago when Greg and I went to a party as Mr. and Mrs. Barbarian. The swords are plastic with blood red liquid running through the middle. That, of course, was a big hit with Skyler and her wild imagination.

Silly Dark Angel

More costume photos.....

Pumpkin Carving

Skyler carved her pumpkin all by herself this year, no help from Mom or Dad.

Here are the masterpieces....

Zoo

Skyler and Nana took a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. One of the exhibits allowed them to buy bird seed on a stick so Skyler got a real close-up of this pretty little green bird.

Mt. Rainier

Greg and Brandon hiked part of Mt. Rainier in August. They had great weather and were able to make it high enough that they were above the treeline, where it became mostly rocks and gravel.

Lost Tooth

Skyler lost her second tooth this last weekend. She was wiggling it while we were sitting in the jacuzzi watching the sunset and it popped out. She was so excited since she had been waiting a long time for this one. In fact, her grown up tooth had been growing in behind it for several weeks, we called them her "shark teeth". Skyler has a special pillow case that has a little pocket just the right size for a tooth, Nana sewed it for her last year. Trixie is the name of the Tooth Fairy that comes to visit Skyler, and this time she left a dollar all folded up tight.

Wizard & The Sorceress

Skyler has been taking ballet classes for 2 years at Seattle Civic Dance Theatre in West Seattle. Twice each year they put on a performance at the Highline Performing Arts Center. Summer 2005 performance was called The Wizard & The Sorceress. Skyler and her class were the "Rainbows". And as with all elite prima-ballerina's.... she received her bouquet of flowers at the end of the evening.

Maui in May 2005

Skyler and Greg on the beach at sunset, a nightly ritual for us. Especially nice when we had rum drinks with pretty umbrella's delivered to us right on the beach. Nothing better.


Skyler really turned into a little beach babe that week, but we finally had to get her a UV-protected swim shirt because her skin wasn't quite ready for the full impact of the Maui sunshine.