Legoland

Now Legoland...that was a big hit -- for both kids and parents. Legos where everywhere. We even went home with some. (Yeah, we're suckers.)

Parker did an awesome job driving. No track and he avoided the other kids and obstacles. He truly earned his license.

There were a bunch of scenes done in legos...including Obama's innaguration, which was accurate down to the lines to the porta potty. :o)

Teeth!

Sea World,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker, what big teeth you have?

Better to eat everything with!

Sea World

Vacationing in San Diego, which means we have to go to Sea World. Of course it's been years since I've been there and...to be honest...not sure it's worth it. If we opted to see Shamu earlier in the day, we definitely would have blown through the park in half a day. Bummer.

Parker's favorite part wasn't the animals but the rides...of course. Piper...well, she loves everything and everyone.

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Ellie, the little sis of Parker's best pal, Tyler, had a birthday party and Parker was invited. With gifts, toys, food, and a bounce house -- everyone was all smiles. Except Hello Kitty, I guess. She probably had the worst job at the party.

Sorry Kitty.

Wet & Wild

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

Hot Commute

Hot Commute (9/1/09),
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

You've got to love it when your commute to work includes driving through a fire zone next to a moving truck stacked high with fuel.

Stand Off

Stand Off,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Someone can't wait for someone to leave.

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.

Visit from Jean & Al

Visit from Jean & Al,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Chris's Aunt Jean and Uncle Al came down to visit Chris' mom, which means Piper and Parker got to meet their GREAT-aunt and uncle.

Piper looks serious in this pic but have no fear she did demonstrate that she was a cheery handful. :o) No shyness here.

Like Grandfather

Like Grandfather,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

We took Chris' Mom and Father out to dinner at Vincent Hill to celebrate his mother's birthday. As you can guess, the food (and, of course, the company) was wonderful. The part I'll remember most is Parker imitating his Grandpa Jim. (Yes, even down to the cigarette.) Priceless.

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)

Sadness

Sadness,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker's sad that after all these years Kailie still doesn't trust him. Granted, in trying to pet her he did end up chasing her around the house...but still, where's the love?

6 Month Checkup

Well, time for Piper's 6 month check-up. Have no fear...no limbs have been lost in the last couple of months. All parts still seem to be in the right place.

For those keeping track, here are her stats:

• Height: 27''
• Weight: 15.11 pounds

For the most part, she's tracking like Parker -- light weight, average height, and HUGE head. (Yes. I'm not a baby factory. Instead, I seem to be Willy Wonka with a bunch of lollipop shaped kids.)

As you can see from the pics, like Parker at her age, her favorite thing in the doctor's office is the paper that covers the examination table.