I can run real fast in my new shoes.

That's what I used to think, and, well, I guess I still think that. I finally got a decent pair of winter shoes. My beloved "winter Crocs" (the hole-less ones) are down to about a millimeter of rubber between me and the pavement, let snow and slush in the back, and they were a bit deadly on slippery floors anyway.



My new shoes, the ones I still stare at as I walk in them, are my first pair of Keens and I'm smitten. The break-in period was all of about ten minutes, and I've worn them all day each day since I've worn them. I hesitate to remove them before bed.



Purchasing them the Monday before Christmas at a metro REI when both girls were overdue for a nap: not the smartest move. Buying them before winter was over: good deal.

Silliness on the Small Screen

We've finally compiled some clips of the girls into a legitimate, somewhat edited, musically enhanced video. The soundtrack is "Sister Kate" by the ever-awesome Ditty Bops. Enjoy!

Get yer Scroll on!

It's time for another photo journey through our lovely little life of late. Let's dig in with this giant pizza!



We ordered the 19" New York style sausage 'za from our neighborhood Joey Nova's. It was almost too big to fit on our table, yet we managed to stuff almost all of it into our guts. (Matthew would like me to point out the delectable,poured can of Surley Bender in the background. It's an unpasteurized brew that he and his swill-drinkin' swells (hi, Scott and Jay!) enjoy.)

Next, we had worked up an apetite for the pizza while visiting the Minnesota Zoo for the first time as a family of four. The highlight for all of us was being able to satisfy Leah's obsession with big cats. We saw mountain lions, a tiger, lynx, some African desert cat, and this beautiful kitty, an Amur Leopard - the most endangered big cat.



For a zoo of a different variety, we visited my family for the turkey day feast. We went for a walk into the woods where the girls held their Grampa's hands:



Natalie and Leah got to pet and feed the neighbors' horses:



Natalie walked and walked and walked (most of the time saying "Maaa, Maaaa" thinking the horses were cows:



And two of my favorite guys posed with two of my favorite ladies. Check out all those big blue eyes.



We even took in the annual "Night we Light" parade, enduring the cold, slipping on the ice, and making it as fun as we could. Here's my bro, Lyan with his two babies - the littlest one is working undercover, and my momentarily pyscho child on the right.



And here's my other older bro with his family on the first of many horse-drawn buggies of the night. They were parade royalty!



No visit back home would be complete without a lot of good eating and a lot of good, fresh whipped cream. No Cool Whip in this house. No way. Nu-uh.



Of course we then had to dunk Natalie in the sink for a special cradle-cap curing bath. It's just our family's Thanksgiving tradition. O.K., not really, but it did seem to do the trick - thanks again, Kell!



Once home, we put up our new (to us) holiday tree, did a little seasonal decorating around the house, and enjoyed sleeping in our own beds again. Friday morning, I made my favorite muffins. They're pumpkin muffins, and they're exquisite. I found the recipe here. Just look at these beauties:



Natalie thinks they're pretty sweet too. (She's my little muffin.)



That will wrap it up for us now. Stay tuned for more holiday and family-oriented fun that is sure to put a little twinkle in your tinsel, or something like that.