The Mik Spot

Cougar Games

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:48:00 +0000

My mom is a major cougar fan; a trait she has definitely passed on to my kids. They went to 4 or 5 games while we were in Utah.

(Uh oh...looks like Lil's worried for the Cougs)

(Go Cougars!)

Christmas Morning Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:23:00 +0000

Next we had round two of present opening with the Blakes.

(Lily's Microphone-much needed for all the solo gigs she has these days)

(Charlie's Buzz Lightyear gun)

(Books)

(Awesome Batman cars and track)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:23:00 +0000

Christmas just keeps getting better with the kiddos! Santa has the best job! What could possibly be more fun than seeing pure excitement from your kids?!

(Before the kids woke up--looks like Santa came!)

Let the present opening begin!

(Lily only asked for one thing from Santa...another phone.

I guess the other 3 she has just aren't cutting it anymore)

(Charlie's favorite gift--

a Cars lunchbox so he can keep up with Lily and her princess lunchbox)

(And it was filled with his OWN crayons and paper)

(Both the kids got mini nerf guns in their stockings...perfect for sibling rivalry!)

(Luckily, Charles LOVED being shot in the stomach)

(Even Mom's and Dad's stockings were stuffed!

"Who wouldn't love a can opener?!"

"Socks? My favorite!")

(And what's Christmas without a little Snow White action for Lil)

(My mom also got the kids these amazing art tables! Lily is in heaven...she pretty much lives at her desk.)

(I am often floored by how much these two genuinely love each other)

Pioneer Village

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:52:00 +0000

This year we did something I've never done. We went to Pioneer Village for their Christmas stuff. It was actually really fun! I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did! They had train rides, carolers, crafts, a puppet show, and elf village, santa, and a live nativity.

(Of course it was cold so we bundled up...Charlie in Dad's gloves)

(Live Nativity: both Lily and Charlie were totally taken with baby Jesus)

(Complete with sheep)

(Sitting in a sleigh, waiting for Father Christmas)

(Lil and Father Christmas having a nice chat)

Nutcracker

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:54:00 +0000

We started off the Utah holiday season right with the Nutcracker Ballet at the Covey Center for the Arts. I was a little worried about Lily's attention span but she did great! She loved it so much she was inspired to jump out of her seat and dance along!

(The many faces of Lil at intermission)

(Lillerina)

Ward Christmas Party

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:56:00 +0000

Gotta love a ward Christmas party! I'm not totally sure why all these pics are so blurry and crazy-eyed and crappy but they're all I have.

(Meeting Santa)

(Super blurry Christmas tree shot)

(Super crazy eye family pic)

Presidio Tree Lighting

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:55:00 +0000

This year we missed the big tree lightings in the city but our own little Presidio does a small one that we were able to make it to!

And of course we had to make a Ghirardelli stop:

Natural History Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:50:00 +0000

While in Utah, we also got to check out a new museum, the Natural History Museum at the University of Utah. There were a lot of great kid-friendly exhibits!

A visit to the 4th grade

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:50:00 +0000

One of our mornings spent in Utah we visited my mom's 4th grade class. My mom set up a desk for Lily and she fit right in!

(Working hard while the kids take a test)

(Eating lunch in the cafeteria)

Lily also decided she needed to sing a few solos to the whole class!

(Christmas Bells Are Ringing--the beginning is cut off because I didn't believe

for a minute that she would actually get up there and sing!)

(Star Spangled Banner)

Charlie's 18 month stats

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:18:00 +0000

The Stats:

Length: 32 in. (41st percentile)

Weight: 24 lb. 9 oz. (31st percentile)

Head: 19 in. (72nd percentile)

Trick-or-Treating

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:38:00 +0000

We had a blast trick-or-treating this year! We hit up two neighborhoods, Avila Street (in the Marina) and Pacific Heights.

Chestnut Parade

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:37:00 +0000

On Halloween morning the marina was having a little Halloween parade. The kids got to walk up and down Chestnut street trick-or-treating at all the retailers on the street. So cute!

(Lily's costume as worn by Greg 18 years ago)

(Getting a delicious bit to eat after)

Pumpkin Carving

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:39:00 +0000

Sunday night was pumpkin carving!

(Batman and a Cougar)

Ward Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:37:00 +0000

Our ward had a Halloween party, too. The primary was in charge so I spent the whole time running around keeping things together, so I didn't get to follow my kids around while they were doing all the fun stuff and take a million pictures BUT we did take this horrible family shot as we were walking out the door.

Musee Mechanique

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:36:00 +0000

While my dad was here we also hit up the Musee Mechanique, a collection of tons of old school arcade games.

Couples Party

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:36:00 +0000

Some friends had a little Halloween party up on their roof. Couple party=no kids...YES PLEASE! Dave and I threw together a quick costume and had a blast!

I am an Occupy Wall Street protester (sign says: I AM ANGRY without a concise message 99%). And Dave is the 1%

Preschool Party

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:35:00 +0000

I, somewhat unexpectedly, ended up teaching our preschool co-op the week of Halloween so we threw together a little party.

(Scary Snacks--not pictured: blood/ketchup for mummy dipping)

(Ghost bowling)

(Batman Girl)

(The kids--missing Miles)

Half Moon Bay: Lemos Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:35:00 +0000

We had the most action packed Halloween week ever! Papa Mike and Papa Debbie flew in and we partied hard! First up: Half Moon Bay pumpkin patch, Lemos Farm!

(Feeding Goats)

(Rockin' the Plaid)

(Pony Rides)

(Train Rides)

(Hay Rides)

(Huge Pumpkin Jumpy House)

(Picking out Pumpkins)

(Happy Family)

Sailing

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:34:00 +0000

For our anniversary (last May) we bought a sailing tour...Groupon FTW! It may have taken us 5 months to actually cash in on it but we finally got around to it and it was a blast! The weather was gorgeous...which wasn't so great for the wind needed to actually sail...but basking in the sun, overlooking our stunning city, cuddled with my hunny is my idea of a good time!

Charlie's got the moves like Jagger

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:42:00 +0000

Hair cuts

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:37:00 +0000

My spunky, not to mention devious, little 3 year old decided to play a little beauty parlor. She cut not only her own hair, but Charlie's, Elmo's, and Rapunzel's horse Maximus'. I was pretty beside myself. But as far as kid cuts go...it definitely could have been worse!

Flying Solo

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:50:00 +0000

Lily starting preschool means Charlie and I get a few hours, two days a week of quality, one-on-one time! I totally don't even know what to do with myself with a single 16 month old anymore! The Academy of Sciences of course!

(Playing at the fountains out front)

(A little sass)

(A little sweet)

The some quality playtime at the secret garden of playgrounds in GG Park!

First day of Preschool

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:36:00 +0000

I'm dying. I can't even stand it. What the what?! Lily...in preschool. Ack!

We are doing a little preschool co-op with some friends and it is SO fun! Lily couldn't be happier!

Mt. Tam

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:35:00 +0000

For Labor Day we decided to get out of the chilly city and hike around Mt. Tamalpais! It was a gorgeous day and I actually took my camera so excuse the picture overload!

Project Runway

noreply@blogger.com (Mikel) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:29:00 +0000

Lily is into redesigning her princess dresses these days.

(The proud designer)

*Again, sorry for grainy iphone pics