Playing together

This is something rarely seen - Riley's angry face. Nate had just taken a toy away from her (don't worry-he gave it back). She is adorable even when she is mad.

Now that Riley is really moving, she is interacting with her brother a lot more these days. Nate and Riley started playing together more and those first few fights have begun....it's a whole new world! Whenever Riley goes near one of Nate's puzzles he says "Move him over there, way way over there, thank you." Hey-at least he remembers to say thank you! ;)

Eating out!

This month went by fast! I was just looking over the pictures from the month and most of the photos are of us at restaurants. Mesh is working nights this month so I've been taking the kids out to lunch more lately in an attempt to actually let Mesh get some sleep. I am in shock over how much Riley eats since Nate never was a big eater. She found a new favorite food this month - pizza! I'm not quite sure if a 10 month old should be eating pizza but she's close enough to one. Oh and we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time-I'm sure there are countless more trips in our future!

Riley and Nate out to lunch at Marcela's today!

Riley is like her mom - she loves Mexican food!

Nate and Riley captivated by the Chuck E. Cheese rock band.

Riley and Gramps at Round Table Pizza in Gig Harbor - my old stomping ground.

Riley and Nate out to lunch at Border House Cafe in Gilman Village.

Happy New Year!

We celebrated with the Ludlows for the fourth year in a row...good times!

In 2008 we were most thankful for Riley being born!

Mesh, Riley, Nate, Meg, Kara, Grace, Clint, Matthew

Nonno

In loving memory of my old buddy Nonno.

He served in all the major battles of WWII and was a police office for over 30 years. He will always be remembered for his war stories, pulling our chains constantly, and his super dooper milkshakes. We love you old buddy and are at peace knowing you are reunited with your Isabel (Nonnie).
12/13/21 - 12/26/08

We all gathered in Springfield for Nonno's 87th birthday just 2 weeks ago (it was a last minute trip so Nate and Mesh stayed home). In this picture: Joey, Cameron, Nonno, Mom/Noni, Andy, Sadie, Riley, Meg.

Big Nonno and Nate in January 2007.

Riley Isabel and Big Nonno holding hands.

Christmas!

Andy and his snowman.

Riley dressed for church on Christmas morning.

The Kieffer family on Christmas morning: Andy, Sadie, and Valerie.

Cousin Sadie, Nate & Riley in their new pajamas.

Traditional new pj's on Christmas Eve: Andy, Gramps, Sadie, Val, Riley, Meg, Mesh & Nate

White Christmas!

Tree and Gingerbread Train

Nate and Riley enjoying the tree! I was allergic to the real tree we got...long story but I should be okay next year if we cut it down fresh...so we got this skinny fake tree for this year but it's doing it's job.
Christmas jammies

Nate's finished gingerbread train wreck! :)

We loved putting the gingerbread train together - I think this is the first time I've ever done a gingerbread house/train and it shows! We had a lot of fun doing it but we both ate a bit too much candy.

Auntie Val looks disapprovingly at our mess!

Santa and snow!

The Iyer stockings - in height order!

Nate and Riley meet Santa at the zoo - it went over pretty well! ;)

We are in the middle of a fantastic snow storm here in Washington - just a normal amount of snowfall for the East Coast but here it shuts everything down. (Nate insisted that he wear my big pink gloves and that Riley wear his gloves...whatever keeps him happy in the stroller so I can get my exercise in!)

The Iyer family enjoying (most of us anyway) the snow!

The Iyer girls - Riley is sporting her Brown U. hat!