My Faith and Joy… and Boys!

I took advantage of the extra people around to get a rare picture of the four of us together.  Of course, we’re not exactly all smiling at the camera, the girls look a bit perturbed, and my hat is anything but stylish…but regardless – we’re all together!

Rebecca (on left): “Who’s driving this thing?  My sister?  I don’t think she can reach the pedals!”

Susanna: “Dad, I think you’re about to run over the cat.”

Despite the threatening weather reports, no snow storm materialized in our area (yet), allowing my mom and sister to arrive here safely and on time.  It was a joyous reunion all around.  The girls ran around the house in excited circles when we got home from the airport, pleased to have even more people with which to play.  We’re all very happy to be together!  And now, let the snow come – these Californians want a White Christmas! 

Normally, I wouldn’t be crazy about someone skulking around my house in a stocking cap. 

But I’ll make an exception for cute little people.  Even little troublemakers. 

And there goes another one! 

Good thing I have all my valuables locked up.  Like my toilet paper. 

I knew it would happen sooner or later.  I was just hoping for later.

The little stinkers decided to redecorate the bathroom when I wasn’t looking.  If you look very closely, you can see that they decided the bathroom was their new library:

I guess my girls are the kind of people who do their best reading in the bathroom! 

As most of you know, Jim is a fan of cars, trucks, boats, ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles – basically anything with a motor that you can drive on some kind of terrain.  The more rugged the terrain, the better.  (Except when it comes to boating.  He wants smooth water for boating.  Picky guy!)  Anyway, the girls have inherited his fascination with motorsports.  Our garage is inevitably filled with his toys, and every time I unload the girls from the car, they emphatically clap and point at the massive machines, indicating that they want to go for a ride.  Unfortunately for them, I am rather inhibited when it comes to driving these powerful vehicles, so I decline their requests and usher the girls upstairs.  But every time they hear a truck drive by, or their grandfather revving a motorcycle outside, they get excited and run to the door.  Becky has even mastered a guttural grunt/growl that she uses any time she sees or hear anything with wheels. (This includes pictures of farm tractors or trucks, and it extends to bicycles.  I don’t think she has accepted the fact that not all things with wheels have motors.  She and her Daddy can keep dreaming.)

Yesterday afternoon, Jim decided that it was high time the girls sat on their first snowmobile.  They were thrilled, of course, and Becky (in front) punctuated her “ride” with enthusiastic engine noises. 

Jim decided to climb on behind them to pretend to ride as a family (I was happy to remain the photographer).  I snapped a picture, and I love the expressions I captured.  Jim is ecstatic that his girls are following in his footsteps (or should I say, “tire tracks”?).  Susie, in front, is calm, unruffled, and ready to hit the trails.  Becky, on the other hand, looks terrified that her father is going to drive them into a ditch.  Her eyes are wide and her little hands are holding on tight.  I guess she’d rather do the driving!