more choo-choo!

While Barb, Jay and Jen were here, we made sure to take them for a ride on a gen-yoo-ine steam locomotive, aka "choo-choo" in toddler-speak.

still a bargain. wonder how long that will last ...


steam-punk industrial-age porn for the gear-heads in the audience


note the working boiler ... i'm not sure if it's wood or coal burning


it was chilly, but we were on a choo-choo. howcould we not have fun???


reaching up to try and touch the steam


zach loved it ...


... almost as much as barb, jay and jen!


sunset from the train


sunset light, steam and trees



what a handsome guy

more pics from visit with the Ankeny's

a few photos from a visit to City Hall and Civic Center Plaza:

Zach snacking in front of City Hall







at the playground behind City Hall



Zach likes driving!

Post-Christmas and New Years with the Ankeny's in SF

After we got back from Phoenix, the Ankeny's (Jay, Barb and Jennifer) spent the week visiting with us. We lucked out because our neighbors Yann, Julie and their little boy, Aymeric (you may remember them from such blog posts as, The day after Thanksgiving 2007 and Aymeric's 1st Birthday) were out of town and needed housesitters. It was so convenient to have them stay so close by, I wish we could do that every time!

Jay brought a very special gift for Zach. He hand made a beautiful step-stool and carved Zach's name into it. Zach loved it from the start, and uses it every day to wash his hands and brush his teeth and (now in mid-March) is beginning to use it to climb up to the toilet for potty training. 

The other big hit present they brought was the teepee. Zach totally loves it.  He loves popping in and out of it and playing peekaboo from the inside.

This is one of those pictures that is definitely going to be shown to his prom date (great shot, Jen!)

2nd day post-Christmas in Phoenix

Zach says "Cheeeeeeese!"























thus started Zach's love of  shooting on the"bas-ket-ball ... hoot!"


Ian, just over 4 years old, is riding without training wheels! 





i think i was having more fun than Zach ... but come on, thoseare some cool blocks!

Day after Christmas in Phoenix

We opened more presents ... but the focus was on expanding the choo-choo track. Then came Zach's very first bubble bath, which is obviously the best thing since sliced bread. Or in Zach's case oatmeal with rai-rais (raisins).

Who knew that Thomas had so many jaw-dropping plot twists?