Monday, December 22, 2008

White Hannukah

The TV news calls it the "arctic blast." We call it white Hannukah.  
Portland hasn't seen this much snow, in December, in 40 years & the Browns are loving it!! Uncle Gadi is here visiting and came just in time.  It started snowing on Thursday, Gadi came in Friday morning and the snow just stopped this evening (Monday.)  Flights are being cancelled so we might have him a few extra days - yea!
So what have we been doing... making snow angels, celebrating Hannukah, playing games and sledding.  Xander made this sled from a laundry basket and cross country skis' and took Elliot and Gadi for an adventure.
The city of Portland was not prepared for snow of this magnitude and the city has shut down, but we are loving it.  This is what I miss most about not living in a city that snows.  
Arctic Blast - The Browns love you!

Elliot in his chariot 
Uncle Gadi pulling Elliot up the hill
A break from sledding
All smiles
First night of Hannukah
Da brothas
Cuddling and staying warm
Elliot & buddies taking a break from sledding
This is normally a busy street.  Not a car in sight today, though
Miles loves his Uncle Gadi
Happy boy
Watching the snow fall


Elliot had to wear his goggles to play outside
All geared up for the cold
Cutest toy in the box
My little angel


This video is of Xander & Elliot riding down a street, which was closed to cars b/c of the snow, and packed with kids & their sleds for some fun.  


Saturday, December 13, 2008

Zoo in December

Last week we took a family trip to the zoo.  Every time we go, Elliot is more interested in the animals, what they eat, how they survive...  He is curious and asks some great questions.  It makes the trip to the zoo special.  Miles really enjoyed himself too (as much as a 1 year old can enjoy the zoo, I guess.)  He was scared to pet the goats and sheep, but really liked watching the fish and otters.  We lucked out with the weather, too.  It was a cold December day, but sunny.
 We are supposed to get snow in Portland tonight, which is rare here in the winter, so everyone is freaking out.  Not me, though!  Bring it on!!!  I miss the snow and the kids will love it.

Elliot feeding a Larakeet.
Almost as tall as little bear
Held's
Browntown
All bundled and ready to go

Whistlin' one year old

Miles recently taught himself to whistle.   He does it all the time.  Here he is whistling at the Zoo.  Elliot is still working on the whole whistling concept.  A whistling one year old is almost as entertaining as a singing dog.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thank Yous

As I sit here typing, on the eve of Thanksgiving, I can't help the tears from welling up just by thinking about all the people I am thankful for in my life.  I am the person I am today because of my family and friends.  You all mean so much to me and I hope you know all that.

On a sad note, we are having to part with Yakira and Asher after 10 years. Elliot is highly allergic to both of them (as well as dairy and eggs) and we have to do what is best for him at this point (long story.)  I believe we have found good homes for both of our furry friends, but I have had them since they were babies so it has been extremely hard on me.  I am thankful to have had Yakira & Asher in my life till now and know they will be loved and taken care of.

Last, but not least, I am sooooo thankful for Xander, Elliot & Miles.  We have a great family full of love, laughter, creativity, inspiration, and trust.  Wow!  I am so lucky.  A wonderful husband and two wonderful sons make this mama proud.

Yakira dog!  We will miss you and love you forever!!!  Ashers picture wouldn't upload, but we will love and miss her forever as well.
What our pumpkin looked like b4 we got rid of it.  SCARY!
My boyz.
All the love.
What a punim
Brothers in a box.  Fun for hours.
Elliot made this crown for Miles all by himself with no help.  Pretty good, ay?
Smiley Miley
Serious pouty face, yet still stinking cute
Elliot painting by numbers .

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Miles is the #1

We decided to have a birthday party for MIles, last minute, but glad we did.  We invited our dear friends and their kiddos, Saba, and Auntie Nette.  There were a lot of bodies for our small little house, but it all worked out.  The kids had fun dressing up in Elliots "dress-up" clothes, running around and playing music with Xander and Bryon (Tage's daddy.)  Miles was a bit out of sorts, though.  Maybe it was his skipped nap this afternoon, the amount of people in our house, the noise factor, his cold.... Needless to say - I think he enjoyed himself.  Tears swelled up in my eyes when we sang "Happy Birthday" to him.  I can not believe he will be ONE years old in a couple of days.  He is my "baby" (ok - I am crying again)  WOW!  Xander is laughing at me (with love of course), but this birthday is really emotional for me for some reason.  Anyway, enough about me...  Take a look at this precious little "1" year old.

Trying to take a family shot of us while in the pic.
Miles's birthday band.
Saba
YEAH - Miles loves clapping!
Da boys and their vegan pumpkin birthday cupcakes.
Not too bad he says.
"Is this how I eat it?"
Take a look at Miles's buddah belly.

What do a flight commander, hockey guy, and penguin have in common?

Answer to Title:  My loves and boys on Halloween
Elliot wanting Miles to go to space with him.
Check out my hat "flight commander"

We went to our friends annual Halloween party and Elliot had a blast!  I don't think he really new what was going on except for the fact that he got candy (which he couldn't eat anyway, b/c most of it was dairy :( but :) for me.)  There were about 10 kids all parading house to house and though I forgot my camera, I got a couple of fun shots before hand.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Aleph Bet Vet

Elliot has been practicing the hebrew alphabet - The Aleph Bet and he really likes singing it.  There is room for improvement, but we are getting there.  I hear him singing the aleph bet on his own and that makes me happy.  I think we will move on to letter recognition (of the hebrew alphabet) next.  Take a listen and tell me what you think.


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Singing Duo

Miles is very fond of his big brother Elliot and wants to do whatever he does.  Miles can have 20 toys out for him to play with, but will ignore all of them if Elliot is playing with something else.  I guess wanting to do whatever the "older one" is doing starts pretty early and Elliot is handling this new phenomenon pretty well.  Elliot is learning to ask for help (from me or Xander) if Miles crawls on over and takes something he has been working on instead of just getting upset or angry.  This happens frequently so he gets plenty of practice (poor kiddo.) Anyway, here is a great example of  Elliot singing and playing music and Miles jumping right in on the fun.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Pumpkin Patch

We headed out to Kruger Farms Pumpkin Patch while Nana was here.  Miles really enjoyed the tractor ride and bounced up and down, while on my back,  the whole time.  Elliot searched long and hard for "the right pumpkin" for him and Miles.  Looking forward to carving them.

Elliot waiting patiently for the tractor after the pumpkin search.
Taking a break with his pumpkins.
Nana searching for the right one.
Just a bit windy out.
I wonder what they are both looking at?  Not me, obviously. 
Helping Miles pose.  
On the tractor.
Elliot and Nana on the ride to the patch.

Good thing Elliot wore his John Deere baseball cap.