Nepalis galore

We've met more people from Nepal in the last few weeks than we will while we're in Nepal, I think. We promised to make some nice pictures available to their families abroad, so here they are. This is Scott and our new friend Mukesh (who is going to school in Louisianna, of all places) pretending that they've known each other for more than five minutes. And doing a good job of it, I might add.

And our other friend Hari. We said, hey Hari, we can show your family nice pictures of all the messy Americans you hang out with. And here we are.

Domo arigato, Mr O-Scott-o

Scott took us out for sushi on New Year's Eve. We then promptly went home and to bed before ten. A festive time, to be sure.

Ah, cousins

Erin is a hit with the littlest cousins. Simma will pretty much forsake everybody for a good cuddle with Erin, and maybe a woodworking magazine or three.

Schuss You!

First day on the hill. Great success. There was soooooo much new snow last week, and even though it got pretty well skied off by the horrendous crowds, it was a great day on the hill. Erin starts lessons tomorrow, but she's quite the little downhiller already. It'll be fun in a few years (months?) to get her onto the more challenging terrain and see if I can still keep up with her.

... and now for some Fine Arts!

We spent an evening before Christmas being creative. It was messy, as usual, but much fun.

And see? Erin and I painted two very nice Santas and Scott painted a lovely homeless color-blind coal-miner. Right in the Christmas spirit.

Ode to Joy

Erin's Christmas concert was ages ago, and it was a terrific success.

The kids did a great job; Miss Solberg wrote some very fun songs (and there were a lot of bald heads in the crowd). The new Auditorium is quite the place.

Aww, cute kid. (And no, I can't get the picture to go the right way. My computer is still in moving limbo...I miss my Mac.)

Though not actually related to any of my family, Erin seems to be acquiring some of their less desirable traits. Here we see the Tongue Concentration Method at its finest.

Smart Apple

Erin made the honor roll this quarter! We are all so proud of how hard she's worked in school this year: it shows in her grades and in her enthusiasm. She's learning so much, and it's fun to learn it all over again with her. Way to go, kiddo!

Whippy!

Scott sold his F250. And I sold my F250. And then we realized that we are in the process of moving and require a truck. So.... Truck. (This is obviously not my truck, but a reasonable facsimile thereof. But mine's flashier because it has a hood scoop. And I'm sure it's faster.) And, of course, I had a rock through the windshield already. Heavy sigh. I guess I can let Scott drive it now.

Trick or Treat

A hair for a hair ...

Scott has recently been channeling his inner Yeti (I'd say Sasquatch, but ewww, the connotations). As handsome as he is, once I start finding food and toothpaste in that damn beard, it's time for it to go.

So what, you might ask, is the answer to this dilemma?

I don't shave until he does.

I think he's going to shave tonight. We're all very excited.

Erin the Bookworm

Erin has developed a taste for books, which - according to a certain crossword that I recently completed - is actually called "bibliomania". We think it might be contagious.

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

It's official. After a few years of on-again off-again, I have broken up with my favorite author. In the beginning of our relationship, Jonathan was so edgy but still clever and entertaining; lately the edgy has developed into something more like uneasy gratuity and I just can't find it in me to care one way or another what happens to his characters. He's begun to make me uncomfortable, and I have to say goodbye. I'll miss you, Jonathan Lethem. It was good while it lasted.

Yes, we have some cab-i-nets...

...we have some cab-i-nets, today!

Apple Betty

This full figured and fantastically fecund tree is our neighbors', but this portion of it lives in our yard. Erin occasionally steals the apples, and it's fun to watch her make faces (they're, um, not quite ripe yet).

Smoke