Starfish Class

A few weeks ago, Mia started her first swimming class, and she loves it! She's learning to float on her back, kick, blow bubbles and put her face under water. She's getting a little more confident every week. :-)

Here she is showing off her kicking skills!

Your Favorite Shirt

Dear Mia,

This is your favorite shirt in the whole wide world. You love it so much, you want to wear it even if it is 40F degrees outside or even if it has dried oatmeal on it. We have to wash it ALL THE TIME. When I take it out of the dryer and announce that is clean, you come running and yell "S.J. Mini is clean?! Thank you! Thank you!" The shirt was a gift from Yumiko in Osaka. We don't know what "S.J. Mini Kansas" stands for in Japan, but in Portland, Oregon, it means "joy."

Geaux Saints!

Christmas Photos

Click here to see the full slideshow. Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Go Tell It on the Mountain (video)

This year Keenan was invited to play his ukelele in a Christmas band along with Christie on vocals and Sean on percussion (among other friends). It was fun for all of us because it meant we were constantly singing Christmas carols at home, and we really got into the holiday spirit. The name of the band is Pokey Twig and the Yuletide Kindling. (Pokey is the founder, and they've been doing this for eight years.) Below are some clips I put together of a few songs at one of their performances.

Disclaimer: Please pardon the poor quality of the video and audio. Sometimes I had to shoot holding the camera in one hand while balancing a 2-year-old on my lap. (Oh, and they are just acting drunk in the first song. Really! ;-)

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Merry Christmas to our dear friends and family near and far. We are thinking of you tonight.

Flavor Country

Just a quick post to share photos from our non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner: Seafood Paella followed by delicious desserts (dark chocolate torte and coconut cake). It was truly a team effort! For the full "play-by-play" (and an introduction to The Welshes adorable new puppy, Penny), you can view Christie's slideshow here.