SURPRISE!

SNOW!

Some Music from '09

A couple of my Christmas gifts...

Dan gave me tickets to see Taken By Trees for Christmas. If you like what you saw/heard in that video and you want to know more about this album and how she went about recording it in Pakistan...you should watch this.

Dan also gave me Warm Heart of Africa for Christmas. It's a good one. Traditional African mixed with modern beats...those are my words. Pitchfork named this album number 17 for 2009.

Architecture in Helsinki fans may recognize this song...other recognizable people on this album are M.I.A. and Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend.

Stay tuned. There may be a top 10 albums of the year from the Lapours...coming up.

Christmas In Photo...2009

The photos do a great job telling the story of our Christmas...

Not photographed...Cranberry Vanilla Crumb buckle, the first baby doll received by Nana, ham, lots of family photos were given, Guess Who was played, Auntie Anne...who was a great hostess on Christmas Eve...

This year we are thankful for our health and we are so grateful to have Mezmur home with us. Last Christmas all we had was a photo and we thought of her all day. This year she was here and she is full of life and constantly into her big brother's business...making her presence known.

It was a great first Christmas as a family of four.

I Will Leave You With This...

...Rhett's favorite music video of this Holiday season 2009.

A New Friend For Mezmur

Here is a cat for Mezmur's new doll stroller.

I made this cat from my doll pattern. I just added ears, a tail, and changed the hands to paws.

I'm mostly pleased with the result. It is a little big, so I might make some changes for the next cat. I hope to see some cats in my ETSY store next year. I have some other new things in mind too...

Mezmur is going to love her new cat. She loves cats.

Rhett has requested one too.

Come Follow Me...

Another Goodwill treasure!

Last week I found this book at Goodwill. It is a book I grew up with and always loved. Gyo Fujikawa is my favorite Children's author and illustrator. I grew up with this book and another one called Shags Has a Dream...classics.

I have found a couple Gyo Fujikawa books at Goodwill and it is one reason I can't stop my Goodwill treasure hunts.

Well, this book and this print...remember that?

A Ride On The Polar Express

We did it. We took the Hood River Polar Express train ride. It was a little different than I thought it would be, but I-will-not-be-cynical. So, let me bring to you the joys of the Polar Express...a train ride that doesn't take you anywhere...much to Rhett's disappointment. He thought we were going to the North Pole.

Mezmur visiting with our neighbors.

Me and Rhett.

Oh, the joy.

The chefs brought out cookies.

Mezmur was shocked to get her very own cookie.

We got hot chocolate...this is right before the hot chocolate incident that will be remembered for years to come.

The conductor came out and punched our tickets.

We sang Christmas carols led by the thespian elves on board...wow, they were entertaining.

Rhett made art on our window.

The ride was complete with a visit from Santa and a bell for a gift. This was the first Santa Mezmur was afraid of this year. Maybe it had to do with his fake beard.
There you have it. Our 2 hours on an overpriced train ride that goes nowhere. If it wasn't for the hot chocolate incident...it may have been worth it.

The Last Two Are Going Home

Here are little "b" and "f." They like it here, but are really excited to meet Bell and Finn.

Thank you to all my wonderful customers this season.

Now I get to write a check to Ethiopian Orphan Relief for 15% of all my sales in 2009!

Christmas Presents

Too Cold To Fish

Go to the Bolt Neighborhood Blog for a handmade gift idea...from me.

Oh, Mez

That's my girl.

A Little Bit About Rhett

A little bit about Rhett. It explains his drum kit request.

Rhett is a drummer. He has been since he was tiny. When he was 21 months he would set up all the Christmas tins and play drums, so all of our Christmas tins have drum stick dents. When he was almost 3 he asked Santa for bongo drums. Santa said, "I've never been asked for bongo drums." Rhett said, "How did Santa know bongo drums have two drums?"

Rhett has big plans for his life. When he is 12 he will be in a band. When he is a Dad he will be an Astronaut. If you ask him if he is going to be an artist, because of his great drawing skills he will say, "No, I'm not going to be an artist. I'll be in a band when I'm 12 and an astronaut when I'm a Dad."

So, a request for a drum kit isn't a surprise. When we go over to the Rice's, Jeremy is so kind to have the drums set up for him. He doesn't bang the drums...he actually has rhythm and plays the drums. I don't think I'm just bias, because others have said this to me. Unless, they were just being nice. We went to the drum store the other day. Rhett sat with headphones on the electric drums for a good 30 minutes. Quietly-playing-drums. It was sort of nice...for a boy who DOESN'T play quietly, because...he's a drummer. Oh, and I must tell you...just a little more bragging. The drum store worker said they spend months trying to get kids to hold the drum sticks the way Rhett was holding them.

So...yes, he is young, but he is a drummer. I really hope Santa can come through...

Limbs Stuffed

Here is what a 10 foot garland of limbs look like...stuffed.

Christmas in Portland

First a sequence of photos from our Christmas tree hunt...

We had breakfast with Santa and Nana last weekend at Kennedy School. This was a more pleasurable way to visit Santa...rather than the mall.

Rhett needed to hold Dan's hand while giving Santa his wish list. When we thought he was asking Santa if it was ok to ask Santa for three things...he was really asking Santa if he would bring him three things. Good thing Santa said he would have to talk to his elves. I don't know what we are going to do for Rhett this year. One thing he wants is for ages 9 and up and the other thing breaks the bank (a drum kit...really?).

Mezmur was begging to sit on Santa's lap. No tears here. Although, the next photo she is doing her "all done" sign.