skype with cousin lucy et al

laundry game

watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZgrHtMVty4

gardening

Alden got some new gardening tools on our last visit to Bellingham. In true northwestern style, they are made entirely of recycled milk jugs -- alden refused to play with them otherwise. After recently finding out that our sewer pipe was broken and completely disconnected under our front lawn, we (elizabeth) decided Alden shouldnt dig in the front lawn anymore. Instead, the kid has been given this plot of soil in our back yard. So far he has planted rocks, two big sticks, and a wrench. Mostly, he throws tantrums when we pull him away from the "DIRT!"

bob, guest blogger

Our good friend bob took some great shots of Alden -- which we will include here. For reference, below is Bob, Ali, and baby James.

buddies

Alden and his buddy Thomas in a (rare) calm moment together.

hike

Alden woke up on Sunday - some how aware that this would be a day that involved television -- not just any television. . . football.

This was how he responded to the opening moments of the Super Bowl. Check out the barricade required to keep him from standing 6 inches from the television.

Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW6i1dAIOmQ

ballard sunset

Had the Dicksons (bob, ali, baby james and brother jay en route from antarctica) join us for a crisp January sunset on the beach. Alden spent the evening "flying like a bird" (below), getting tackled by mom, and -- when dad's gaurd was down -- running up to his shins into the Sound. All was well in the end -- his feet remained warm -- and the sunset did not disappoint.