The Empire State

Today while Lauren and Daphne were having a baby birth class reunion, Max and I went on an adventure. We went to the top of the tallest building in New York City. The Empire State Building. Max was fearless. When we got to the observatory on the 86th floor he ran right to the edge, climbed up on the foot rest of one of the pay binoculars and stuck his head through the railing and looked straight down! "Whoa!" he shouted "Look! I can see people and taxis!"

why mommy had to apologize...

a few days ago, i went into max's bathroom and found at least 5 feet of toilet paper pulled off the roll. I approached max and asked him how that had happened. He shrugged and said, "maybe daphne did it." I said, "bud, come on. just be honest." he said, "really, mom. i think daphne did it." i let it go, but i started to wonder how many times max would try to pin the blame on his sister. a day or so later, max and daphne were playing in his room as I ran max's bath. I had walked into the kitchen when max walked in and said in a hushed voice, "mom, come here. I have to show you something," I followed him to his bathroom, where we found daphne pulling the toilet paper off the roll. i felt horrible and told max I was so sorry for doubting him.

here's the incriminating footage.

(and yes, i will be closing the door to the bathroom from now on.)

A Beautiful Winter Sunrise

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

We bought this unusual plant last summer, basically on a whim. We had gone to a nursery to get other plants for our newly reconfigured flower garden. But, when we saw the Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (what a great name!), we couldn't resist.

One of the consistent comments we heard about the plant was that it looks good in all seasons, including winter. And, since we do have winter in NH....It does look good in the snow, doesn't it?

She's Quick

Daphne has gotten very mobile over the past few months. The camera can't even keep up!

She wants to get to that tree and eat some ornaments.

A CHristmas Story

"Randy, how do the little piggies eat? Show us how the piggies eat. Oink Oink Oink"

This is one of Max's favorite scenes.

Playing in the snow

Max loves nothing more than trying to catch snow flakes on his tongue. He was so excited when the skies opened up and dropped some beautiful light and fluffy flakes on us. Snow in NH is so much more fun than snow in NYC.

Lauren and Max making snow angels.

Max and Mommy

Striking a pose in the snow.

Mommy, Max and Daddy

Glow-Glasses

The Bowles Women

Amanda

Lauren

Daphne

Sue

Dave & Amanda

Brian, Max, Lauren, Daphne

Chet & Sue

Family Pictures

Who are these creatures? The Bowles Family! All eight of us wearing 'glow-glasses' (t-b,l-r) Max, David, Sue, Amanda, Chet, Daphne, Lauren, and Brian. Happy New Year!

High Kicker

George Hoffman is a college friend and fellow music major. George was also (many years ago!) a member of our wedding party. As long as I can remember, George has been fascinated with carousel horses and, at some point, he started hand-carving and painting miniature carousel horses--they are exquisite in their craftsmanship and detail.

This "high kicker," as George calls it, was a totally unexpected gift. Quoting from the card, "Santa is sending along in this package a 1" scale, Charles Parker inspired carousel horse. Hand carved and hand painted in Japan oils, this high kicker comes to you with joy and happiness."

The horse is about eight inches long, from tail to hoof. And, as you can see in the pictures, it is a beautiful work of art.

Thank you, George. Thank you very much.