Let there be lights!

Knowing Summer's interest in artificial lighting, I indulged her with a visit to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square. Summer's mother was still a bit under the weather, so I brought along some of her other peeps to compensate.

Summer's dad, grandparents, and aunt and uncle.

 

Summer's Christmas gift from mere-de-mere: A hot pink snow suit. Some how, we've missed the major storms this year in both Seattle and SLC, so we may not get as much use from it as we could have. Also, Summer's gait (yes, she walks now) is a bit impeded when wearing the snow suit making her rather dangerous in public.

  
 
Shots of Nativity  scenes around Temple Square.

Meeting Kellyn

Last Sunday, I paid a visit to Pleasant Grove to meet Kellyn and participate in her baby blessing. Unfortunately, Emily was under the weather and Summer had a hard time leaving for church at 8AM, so I flew solo. It wasn't until a couple days later that Summer met her one and only cousin for the first time. The encounter was anti-climactic, since Summer really only likes things that move (or things she can move). I'm predicting more fun for both babies in another 6 months.

Announcing Kemmelie!

Behold the happy couple. Congrats you two! In my book, Ken (i.e. Emily's brother) and Emmelie picked an almost ideal date for a winter wedding*. Had it been a day later, I would've been writing some sad lament while looking out the window at 16 inches of snow in Seattle. Fortunately, we left the Pacific Northwest hours before the blizzard hit and found our way to Salt Lake City.

 

 

 

Summer seems to enjoy her 4th wedding of the year.

Bryan teaches his daughter how to dance. Well, as close to dancing as he can get.

* I use the phrase "almost ideal" because Emily's brother Owen didn't make it out of Rochester before the blizzard grounded his flight. Sad face.

Eye candy

The concept is simple:

1 Zoo + 3 million light bulbs + $6 = fun.

It may not be obvious, but Summer evidences symptoms of cabin fever if she doesn't get out on a very regular basis. Thus, following a hot tip from Matt KA Brown, we took the infant phenomenon to see the Zoo Lights at Point Defiance.

Heretofore, I've always felt those vendors hawking junk at various public venues were merely capitalizing on  widespread parental inability to say no. Imagine my horror when Emily went and purchased a retina damaging fiber optic light stick without Summer even asking.

For Summer, however, the light stick quickly became the attraction. Her fascination with the light stick was so strong that she instantly ripped off her gloves so she could stroke the fiber optic strands. Imagine the joy when I ultimately had to pry her new found love from her cold fingers later that night.

Hmmm.... seems like the kind of girl that'll demand big, sparkly diamonds one day.

 

Summer, still not interested in the other lights.

[James Earl Jones voice] Summer, I am your father.

santa claus is coming to town

all the little children run and hide!

flashback

sigh. ponytails and braces. where do the days go?

welcome baby kellyn!

meet the newest member of the wheeler family:

born december 5, 2008 to james and michele wheeler.

summer's very first cousin!

fish and coffee

to get the best of both, visit pike place market in downtown seattle. one of our favorite stops on the tour-go-round for family and friends who visit us. yes, that's where the hot young fishmongers throw the fish.

here they are in action.

cindy and peter pose in front of the very first starbucks.

topless mermaid included.

emily loves the local art.


summer loves to plan her escape from another one of mom's carriers.



and who could resist a ferry ride?

seattle skyline: where grey skies meet grey waters.

summer sleeps through snack

get your bowl on

somehow, back in 2004, the wheeler clan was forced into a tradition of thanksgiving bowling. while the rest of the family would probably not complain if we left the activity behind, it's a great time for me as i usually win (and i do so love to win). however, this year, we welcomed peter to the family along with his myriad skills, one of which happens to be bowling. and out of the blue, bryan appears to have been skipping work and secretly sharpening his own bowling abilities.

peter tied me for the first game -- gimp ankle and all -- and bryan ripped me to pieces in the second.

ah well, winning isn't everything.


...whatever, that's a lie promulgated by losers, and i shan't rest until i reclaim my crown!!

summer. enjoying her first family bowl.

peter. obviously distressed by his spare.


emily. bowls like a flamingo.

mike. hates bowling.

bryan. well on his way to a strike.
who knew left-handers could succeed in this right-handed world?

Perfection is overrated

With company in town, Emily really hoped to raise the bar for the traditional Thanksgiving repast. Armed with all the best recipes from all the greatest Food Network superstars, she went to work Wednesday night and didn't let up until Thursday at 4PM.

Imagine everybody's delight when the turkey simultaneously had crispy, tasty skin and succulent, juicy flesh (note for the uninitiated: these are opposing goals). After taking a couple of bites, I had an epiphany: I prefer my poultry cooked until it's quite dry.

 

 

Likewise, many of the "semi-exotic-but-sure-to-please" recipes came up short. Conclusion for next time? Maybe a nice lasagna dinner instead.