Let It Snow

Taking out the trash,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

I had the day off but the kids had school. Or so we thought.

And then there was snow.

Since the snow gear was still out we geared up and headed outside.

First thing. Time to take out the trash. Thank goodness I had an assistant.

Sledding ,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Once the chores were done it was time for fun, which translated into me pulling Parker and Piper down and up the road.

Soon, it was time to find something less exhausting for me.

Hair Club for Snowmen,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Time to build a snowman!

The kids started small but we soon went bigger...at least closer to Piper's size. The kids gathered the snow. Frankie (unwittingly) provided the arms and hair. And I assembled the final product.

The hardest part...keeping Frankie from running away with one of the arms.

Snowmen,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

The best part...the smile on Parker's face.

Christmas Encore

Christmas Encore,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

First morning back home means we can open all the Christmas gifts we didn't want to haul up north.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, we seem to have brought snow back from Tahoe. It's started to snow and it's slated to keep snowing for a good while. Good thing I don't have work tomorrow. Of course, Chris does and Parker also has school. :o/.

We'll see what tomorrow brings. Good thing the snow gear's still out.

Stuck on You

Stuck on You,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Since we were at Universal City Walk, I figured it couldn't hurt to follow bowling with a little stroll. Of course, that meant Parker had to get a sweet treat at Sparky's.

He chose the ring pop...I think because he saw someone at school eating one. What harm could a ring pop do?

Well, I guess if you fall asleep while eating the pop...it could attach itself to you and not necessarily where you'd think it'd get stuck.

No worries. A little warm water and I separated the two without even waking Parker. Yes, I'm that good. :o)

Color Bender

Color Bender,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

I have to say...this came out REALLY good! Yes, the arrow sells it. But the arrow looks like an arrow and it's in blue, just like Ang's. NICE!

Like Brother, Like Sister

Like Brother, Like Sister,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Uh oh, Parker. Another fan of watermelon.

Even with hardly any teeth, she's willing to gum at it through her food strainer.

Looks like there will be less for you, Parker. Better eat as much as you can...while there's still some to be had.

Dog Attack

Dog Attack,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

As we hang out around the ''sheds-in-progress'', Parker plays around with a bit of chalk. Unfortunately for Frankie, Parker creates an attack dow. However, even though the yellow dog growls at him, but Frankie's not fazed.

Wet & Wild

Parker and Chris take in a few laps around the pool.

Still Standing

Still Standing,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Next day, the house and -- more importantly -- the Taj-ma-sheds are still standing. The fire is still a good ways off. Hopefully the winds will cooperate and keep the fire moving away from our house, rather than right towards it.

Not Again

Yes, it seems to be a sad annual ritual. Another wildfire. This time resulting in evacuation...our second since moving into hour house.

An enhancement since the Crown Fire evacuation...at about 4am this morning we got an automated call warning us of the impending danger and the need to prepare for evacuation. I guess this happens for anyone with a landline. (So my friends, any of you who have ditched the landline and rely solely on your cell service...you need to look into registering your cell phone so you will be included in any emergency announcements delivered via phone.)

Not sure if this is a bright side...but that Station fire actually started a few days ago and I had been preparing for this moment. I've been driving around with some stuff in the back of my and Chris' cars. Plus, I've had a bunch of other stuff stacked by the front door. Within an hour or so of the call, our cars were packed. Me and the kids were off to Thommy & Geoffrey's house while Chris and Frankie stayed behind to tend to any loose ends -- clearing any debris near the house that he never got to, moving equipment, etc.

Of course, all the while I'm fretting about Chris and Frankie's safety until I see this post on face book -- ''Frankie enjoys a steak and Stella on a smokey afternoon.'' Yeah, this fire is much different from the Crown Fire where I left the house with flames licking over the nearby hill tops.

So, knowing that Chris and Frankie were safe, it made it much easier for me to create a normal experience for the kids -- which means bathtime! But where? Yup, the bar sink makes a perfect bath for Piper. Talk about a multi-tasker.

Bath Time

What?! No tub time photos?! Well it's about time I rectify that travesty.

Here's Piper chillin' in the tub with all her ducky friends. (They're all afraid to be otherwise because she may decided to eat any one of them at a moments notice. -- Don't look her in the eyes, Quacker!)

The Creation of Frankie

The Creation of Frankie,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

At least Piper thinks she's had a hand in it.

Actually, Piper's probably just intrigued by Frankie. ''Why is this brother so hairy? What happened to this brother's fingers? Will this brother stop licking me?''

Not Down For the Count

Not Down For the Count,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

That's right. You can't keep this baby down. At least, not for long. She's discovered that the furniture is the perfect tool to pull herself upright. Then she deftly rolls and she's coming at you on all fours. Yes...if I haven't mentioned it to you earlier...crawling. So it's time to batten down those hatches before she discovers the dog food bowl or...even worse...the toilet.

M.I.A.

M.I.A.,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

It's with utmost sadness that I must report Dean's disappearance.

I guess -- since the first day we finally gave in and allowed him to go outside -- I always knew this day would come. I guess I hoped Frankie would be around to protect him.

We left in the morning but when we returned in the evening Dean -- who always returns home at night (hello...dinner!) -- was not there. We hoped he would show up sometime in the night and scratch on the glass like he always did. But, what was once considered a grating sound, never materialized...no matter how hard we listened for it.

One could assume that Dean met his end that weekend; however, since his remains were never found, I like to think that maybe he's enjoying the kindness of another family. Someday, we just may hear that grating sound of claws on glass once again. And when we do, I'll gladly open that door for my long lost boy.

Pedicure

Pedicure,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Frankie and Dean love Piper. So much so that Dean is willing to give Piper a pedicure every now and then. Now that's dedication.

Unspeakable

Unspeakable,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

That's right. At the Trillo home we condone the unspeakable...dogs and cats co-habitating peacefully together. Yes, even sleeping together. And in Parker's bed nonetheless!

Melon Lover

Melon Lover,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker is still a big fan of the watermelon. Lucky for him, Piper has no idea what watermelon is...let alone, teeth. BONUS! That just means he doesn't have to share. More for him. :o)

Puppet Show

This evening, Piper was treated to a special puppet show put on by Parker. As she watched, she couldn't help but wave her pacifier excitedly in the air. Then Parker came out and brought the excitement right into the audience. Finally, the cast came out for their final bow. Bravo! Encore!

On A Roll

On A Roll
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl

Check out Piper as she demonstrates her new moves that get her left and right and up and down.

Power Moves

Parker has never watched Power Ranger but I guess it's inevitable -- when you mix a Red Ranger costume and karate classes...you get the moves. I must say...he looks pretty good. And I'm not just talking about the prepackaged six-pack abs. :o)

All Grown Up

All Grown Up,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

I'm sure it's not his first but Dean proudly delivered a dead bird to the doorstep today. They grow up so soon! Now the question is whether or not I'm brave enough to dispose of the prize. Hmmm...I wonder when Chris is getting home.