Ian the Graphic Artist

Ian's premier present this year was a kids graphics tablet. It's kiddy/plasticky, but it works really quite well, and he's been enjoying it as a new medium for his art.

Lego Yoda Claus

Cam and Ian were very excited to find this guy behind the last flap in their Advent calendar.

Christmas Eve Plate

Scotch egg, ham and egg pie, cheeses, salad, and roll - mmmm....

Ian's Christmas Portrait 2011

I get hands and feet, Joanna outlandish eyelashes.

Minigolf

For the first day of Christmas break, while Karen and Arthur and the girls are still in town, we took the boys to Asheville's Fun Depot, a (mostly) indoor fun park. The boys' first play choice was the minigolf course; Ian was 46 over par, Cam 49 over. (Par is 43.)

Cam Makes Dinner

Auntie Karen and Uncle Arthur got Cam some cooking implements and a little cookbook for Christmas, which he opened yesterday (as they're in town with the girls). Tonight, he started putting them to good use.

Cam in a Spot of Bother

Savannah Playground

Visiting Karen, Arthur, and the girls for Thanksgiving. Spent some time this morning at the YMCA playground.

Strawberry Ice Cream

Another Saturday morning walk, but this time we stopped at the drug store - the coldest morning of the season, with frost on the ground, and Cam wants ice cream instead of a nice warm cookie.

Pepperoni Pizza

Ian is developing into quite the little artist. Little drawings like this, of pepperoni pizza, now are frequent creations on the living room floor.

Mountain Trickle

This little stream on Stoney Creek Road (Forest Road 63) is lot more forceful in spring; now it's just a trickle.

Rhododendron Hell

Actually, it's quite a pleasant place, but "hell" around these parts is the term for a rhododendron thicket. I imagine it would have been quite an infernal hike had the path not already been cut.

View from Craggy Pinnacle

Looking down on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the top end of the Craggy Pinnacle Trail.

Craggy Pinnacle Trailhead

Joanna and the boys at the foot of the Craggy Pinnacle trail.

Appalachians in Autumn

Went up on the Blue Ridge Parkway today to see the leaves, and it was a beautiful day for it. This is Burnett Reservoir, in the valley below Craggy Gardens.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie

Cam has begun a regimen of "walking the dad" on weekends. What does he get out of it? Usually a cookie at ever bakery on Main Street.

Springy Turtle

Getting a bit big for this playground.

Effects of Splash Mountain

Cam wanted to go on his favorite ride, Splash Mountain, one last time today. We remained dry during the first two trips, but this time Joanna (and I) got a bit damp. Somehow, the boys escaped most of the water.

Boys with Buzz

After capturing Zurg, the boys got an opportunity to pose with Buzz Lightyear.

Zurg Captured

We rode the Buzz Lightyear ride again today, and once again Cam and Ian managed to capture Evil Emperor Zurg. Well done, boys!

Talking Trashcan

On our last day, the boys spent some time in Tomorrowland talking with this trashcan, which talked back. Apparently, it was attracted to Cam's ears and claimed to be a close personal friend of R2-D2.

Riding Dumbo

We didn't get around to this classic ride until the last day, and it was hot standing in line. In the background is the worksite for an expanded Fantasyland.

Cinderella's Castle

Last day at Disney, last trip to the Magic Kingdom.

Boys with Donald

One of Ian's (surprisingly) favorite rides was the Mexico boat ride, featuring the Three Caballeros (Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles).

Boys with a Troll

The Norway pavilion has the coolest photo opportunities.

Vikings!

These two don't really need the accoutrements to be fearfully destructive.

Ready for Soarin'

We agreed the best ride at Epcot is Soarin', a glider flight simulator over California.

Tongues

As Cam seemed incapable of letting his photo be taken without sticking out his tongue, we took one intentionally. That seemed to help, as he didn't do it again the rest of the day.

Totem Pole

I don't think this is an authentic artifact.

Caught in the Headlights

Joanna looks surprised because, in the twilight of the San Angel Inn, she couldn't quite make out that I was readying the camera. I think that in this photo she looks rather like one of those rare jungle animals photographed with a motion-activated camera.

Pyramid and Volcano

This was the view from our table at the San Angel Inn inside the Mexico pavilion of Epcot on Saturday night. Pleasantly atmospheric if a bit dim.