petit compaore

 I didn't get a ton of pictures of the bride and groom, mostly because there were obviously other people taking much better pictures. It was a nice ceremony. I felt like I was not as focused as at other weddings - probably because this is the first wedding we have gone to with Sonia - but I still was able to pay attention to the important parts! 

Here are a happy Pat and Joanne leaving the church! 

 Look at these nice little handouts they had in the pews! We did go out a few times, because lately Sonia is being really vocal in church. Maybe something to do with the echoes? But we didn't go out any time she made a peep. Then Sonia really enjoyed this handout and it kept her occupied for a while.

 Isaac Anthony and Waldemar Anthony

 The impossible picture, where everyone actually has a natural smile! It can be done!

 I don't know, these family photo things are trickier with a four year old....

 Isaac found a little friend right after Mass. They were looking in the trees together. 

 When the bride and groom got in their car to drive off, Isaac ran right up to see what was going on.

 Another attempt at a picture of the happy couple, this time at the reception, and too far away. 

 Look at our little family just growing! Isaac's name is misspelled but oh well. Oh, and Isaac rode with Nana on the way to the reception and they got lost.... Luckily they found their way eventually.

 with cousin Katie...

 It was cute how little Josephine was dancing with a little friend. Of course I was only able to get one picture before they wandered off...

 Sonia and really-great uncle John

 We also tried to take some pictures of the babies. All these cousins are within nine months of each other, I think.... These were my two favorite shots, but I'll have more on Sonia's blog. 

 And finally I just asked the lovely and loving newlyweds if I could take a better picture - so here it is! Welcome to the family, Joanne!

 When we were in Seattle last weekend and went down to the waterfront, we just had to recreate this photo that we both liked...

Only when I put them side by side did I realize that we sat in the right hand sculpture this time and the left hand one last time... I think the original was around New Year's 2008, right before we got married. (That was an interesting New Year's. It was fun, but we went to some African party and the men and women were hanging out separately and I ended up having to watch some awful quality (sound and acting) Nigerian soap opera...)

Coming very soon - the rest of the pictures from our recent trip to Seattle for Pat and Joanne's wedding! 

 In Newport, at the library after story time. Good choice to have a train table, Newport Public Library. It is a big hit.

 Importantly, when London came over we had a nap with everyone at the same time. I actually took care of four kids at the same time that day, and although I know many people who do it everyday and are pros at it, I have to say, it wasn't too bad for a short period of time. Maybe because the two extra kids (London and Isaac's friend Milo) were between the ages of Isaac and Sonia. For some reason when kids are significantly older than Isaac, it kind of stresses me out. I feel like I don't know what to do with them yet... unless of course they would like some speech therapy ;) I'm sure having four kids everyday is a bit more work than just having them for four hours. But let me say, I appreciate my sweet little niece a lot. She is such a good one.

 Isaac was transferred to the couch later, and moved into this position. Why anyone would choose to sleep this way is beyond me.

 We also went to the Eugene Pro Rodeo's Kids' Day. I was hoping we could go to the actual rodeo, but then Papa wasn't really into the idea and I forgot to go. I had a feeling that if I didn't go on the 3rd or make definite plans for it on the 5th, that it wouldn't happen. And, I was correct. Still, we go to see some Texas longhorns and some draft horses. I think Isaac would have enjoyed the rodeo and I really do hope we can go next year, even if it is just me and Isaac and Sonia. I feel like it would probably be more manageable with Sonia next year.

Wow, because the lack of space on the SD card has severely restricted my photo-making, we are now entirely caught up! You can check out petite compaore for some pictures of Sonia! (There are more, because obviously she is changing faster). 

 Papa and Sonia taking a little rest

 True running is when both feet leave the ground. Several times now people have commented that Isaac is "the future Steve Prefontaine" (kind of a big deal around here) because he is such a fast runner. 

 Isaac and I took a little walk on a path by the river.

 Sonia wanted to go back to California, but we had to take I-5 north instead.

A wonderful trip - our first family trip to California and first out-of-state trip with Miss Sonia!

 We got some juice right around here so we could all use their bathroom. 

 Isaac was doing some silly dance.

 Isaac asked if I could buy this for him. I said no, it was probably not for sale. I can only imagine how many hundreds of dollars samurai armor goes for.

Then there was some street protest - basically some Chinese people really angry about World War II, i.e., the Japanese, the rape of Nanking, etc. To make matters worse, a few Japanese people had confronted them. We crossed the street before it turned into an all-out brawl. 

 What? I think this really did come from Newport's sister city, Mombetsu, in Hokkaido! It was fun to see the name of a familiar place, as Uncle Greggy and I went there, eight years ago...

 Fun things for sale

 Well, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

 Then we went and visited Uncle Theo and Auntie Barbara. And, luckily, Heather was there too! Heather and I were good friends when we were little but hadn't seen each other in a really long time.

 Sonia had a stranger danger moment, something which is becoming more and more frequent. Recently it includes anyone besides Mama - that is to say, Sonia does not even want to go to her Papa. This is a bit draining.

Isaac and Uncle Theo

The whole gang

Auntie Barbara and Isaac had fun with a little robot that "eats" coins. Isaac was so enthralled with it and Auntie Barbara let him take it home! That was so so nice of her. Isaac will still take it out and put all the coins back in. He especially likes to show it to his friends when they come to visit. 

I was really glad we went down and saw them that last day we were down in California. It had been a really long time since we had seen them last.