Monday, January 7, 2008

Hello Grammie Lee Lee

It was a crisp, sunny Christmas morning, perfect for a stroll through S. Berwick.


The Maine lobster toy is a big hit for Monte. It is a wooden, hand-crafted walker that keeps him entertained for hours! Thanks :-)



Snuggling at the coffee shop, reading some bed time stories and playing time while at work with Grammie.



Uncle Yuri & Monte

Good times between the two fellas.




From flying high in the air to deep moments with staring contest. However, Yuri still wins the contest for the best silly faces.




Here Yuri teaches Monte the art of brokering deals while looking casual.



Monte is very excited about part II of Brother Bear! His appreciation is limited to chin pulls, nail scratches and biting cheeks, if allowed...but the love is THERE!

Our X-Mas Adventure...

We ventured to New England (NH/Maine) for cozy family time, great holiday gatherings & around-town outings with many wonderful friends!

No visit to Portsmouth is complete without a meal at the Friendly Toast. Here is day #1 with some of the gang.







Of course it was impossible to miss all the political buzz in the air & candidate signs on almost every corner. Monte took in every minute of the cold temps in style.



Thursday, December 20, 2007

Big Belly Buddha




Monte ate a record-size dinner tonight...he wears it well.

Messy Monte Moments





He loves eating all sorts of new foods. Here Pho is his quarry.

total Misc picture

I found this picture that had been floating in desktop digital space. This is from Jan/2005...just after we were officially engaged.

Brunch with the Babes

Went over for some yummy vittles to Zoe's house (Chris/Lisa). The little gal had her pick of suitors for the day...she is a big cutie with those wide eyes of hers!



Oscar (Tessa/Jamie) & Daniel (Shannon/Chris) showed Monte their new crawling moves, standing & Oscar's trademark 4-wheel cruising for the CD rack. Visions of busy times ahead in our future!




White Elephant Year 4

The friend flock showed up with crappy gifts wrapped beautifully in hand. It was the fourth year we have had this party at our house. I think some of the gifts keep getting passed around year after year or hidden in the coats/bags of the guests as they were leaving.







Monte scored a vintage ceramic piggie bank after the whole swapping, stealing & hemming-hawing was over. I've decided my faith is OK with the pig, we performed a quick ritual & the pig is now converted.



We even managed to have a break in the rain & some time to hang patio-side for smore making (a big thanks Erin!). Also a big thanks to Sheri for all the pre-party help.




Of course there had been last minute preparations. Lief had a huge load of wood delivered for the winter chimenea festivities while I took over the tree decorations (cranberries & popcorn) & still have stained fingers to prove it :-)




Various Monte Videos

Our budding Soccer Stud...hmmm, takes after his dad or his mom? here Monte is playing goalie, not half bad either :-)


Untitled from liefowitz on Vimeo.

Lief is breaking him into the newspaper reading tradition quite early. Not taking after his Momma here!


Untitled from liefowitz on Vimeo.



And...his first snow fall, very exciting!


Untitled from liefowitz on Vimeo.

Thank you Cousins



Thanks for the great Hanukkah gifts...the books, *gently* (ha) used clothes from the Seattle boys & fun treats from LA. Unfortunately he got a little upset when I ran off to get the camera (ah, the wonders of separation anxiety).


our BIG 9 month old

Funny to think he used to swim around the bucket of this scale. Now he overflows it, keeps trying to escape or grabs at all the nifty scale gadgets. He is 30" long, 22 pounds/9 ounces & still has a huge head, I forget the %. The persistent ear infection is a bummer but luckily the fever went away, whew!


the Hanukkah Bear

We outfitted Monte in a new winter bear suit. Just in time for his first SNOW storm! I imagine we will have lots of opportunities to test our the Hanukkah bear suit!





We trekked out in the weather to join the Hanukkah party with our Rabbi & meet his new bundle Liat.



It was held at the Asian Cultural Center, a good group turn out with loads of latkes! I still like mine best (my first cooking attempt this year).