7 Years in the Making

-
We've been married for seven years and have never printed our wedding photos, which is mildly embarrassing. Until now, our "wedding album" has consisted of a large white envelope stuffed with negatives.

Last week my mother-in-law Daneille flew out to meet Cal. Not only did she masterfully/graciously/ cheerfully execute ALL grandchild duties (and then some), she also surprised us by having the negatives scanned into digital images.

The very next day, Oprah announced that her viewers could create a free photo book on Snapfish.com. Voila! Our first wedding album. I feel like newlywed.

So, seven years after getting married, I write my FINAL two thank yous -

THANK YOU

Daneille & Oprah Winfrey
-
-

-

-

-

3 Weeks

-
"Babies are such a nice way to start people."
Don Herold

-

-

- Photography courtesy the ever-talented Rileigh Hasen.
(How CUTE were the Hansen's Halloween costumes this year???)
-

Little Brothers are the BEST

-

Why Leah looooves having a newborn around:

It means she can find the Halloween candy,

Settle into a dresser drawer,

Eat it for breakfast,

-

And Mom doesn't even notice
-

-

Nephew

-
A few photos of Cal as he turns 1-week old.

-
You see, he has seven aunts who haven't met him yet,

and they've been begging shamelessly.
-

Peculiar

-
It took some courage, I have to say, to drive for a few weeks in such a liberal area with this on the back of our car.

-
The sign in our kitchen window didn't exactly win us friends, either.

This morning we quietly took down our sign and peeled away our bumper sticker, but not before Jack snapped this picture.

I love this picture.

When the girls are older, I think it can teach them something about taking a stand, and about being peculiar.

Because as 'popular' rapidly changes,

but our beliefs don't,

I imagine there will be plenty of instances when they feel quite peculiar.

Peculiar, Leah, is a good thing. You don't have to hang your head in shame.
-

Grandson

-
When my dad passed away in 2002, I kept his briefcase.

Inside, I put his golf tees and baseball cards, a ceramic dish I made him in 2nd grade that he would put coins in after work, and his reading glasses. There's also book of New York Times crossword puzzles, one of Drabble comics (our favorite), a cassette tape of Harry Chapin songs he used to play on the guitar, and a single photograph -

Him holding a birthday cake topped with lighted candles, smiling.

Whenever I miss my dad, which is often, I sort through the briefcase and look at him holding his birthday cake.

On Saturday, November 1st,

my dad's birthday,

our first son was born.

I had the picture with me in the hospital. It was the first time in six years it had left the briefcase. I know that somehow, Grandpa Jim came along to share his cake with our boy. I know that he will every year as he grows up.

I love you Dad. Happy Birthday to both of you.

-

Calvin James
8 lb 8 oz

19 1/2 in
November 1, 2008
9:37 pm
Santa Barbara, CA

-