Hiatus

Oops, I've been away for a while.  Sorry about that.  But life, vacations, illness, laziness, idleness, and (fill in any other appropriate noun) has kept me from my appointed duties.  I shall add more pictures shortly.

Jack is now five months old and he can roll over.  He has the ability to hold a bottle for at least a few seconds at a time.  Oh, that's a huge milestone for parents.

Betsy Jo is speaking with greater clarity... although that low mumble voice she does in the morning can be unsettling at times.

Mary Jane is now three and has had a big cake for her party.  Yes, Deborah the Zebra was there to keep an eye on it. 

Really, more pictures and posts to follow.  I always wish to have more posts than the previous year but sometimes... life just gets in the way.  Kind of like a big truck passing another truck on the 10 East when we're trying to get to Phoenix.  They pass even though they know I'll be stuck behind them for an extra five minutes.  Hey, I have crying children in my car!!!

Wait, I'm ranting... I best be getting back to grading now.

Paul Getting Ready to Hang Ten

Showing a bit of profile

No one is more serious about their surfing than Paul the Panda.  He was chilling on his board out in Arizona this weekend.  Why Arizona?  Long story.  He's got a love/hate relationship with that state.  (Recall he was exiled there and left stranded in a children's hospital until an ill Mary Jane rescued him on Christmas Day.)

Getting serious with his board

But this weekend, the Panda was ready to go.  While the other members of the family were tooling around with motorcycles, he snuck off and knocked down some waves.  Yes, waves can be found in Arizona.  You just have to go by one of the canals and have some foolish person ride a boat next to you and create a large enough wake to make you hang ten.  Or in Paul's case... who knows.

Mary Jane was not there to see much of this as she is not allowed that close to too much open water.  In the picture to the right, she was looking quite festive.  Maybe in a few years she and the Panda will go surfing together.  But not until Miss Jill and Mister John approve.

Doing the Dog Dance

Mary Jane has not yet quite figured out the differences between rabbits, dogs, and cats.  She, being a true member of the Erb family, thinks that all animals are "bunnies."  Christmas was the first time she was introduced to those barking animals. She was completely thrown off but still calls them "bunnies" anyway.

Upon our walk a few days ago over at the Airport Park, we passed by the dog park that is there.  You know, that's the park that originally allowed only Santa Monica dogs inside.  Nevermind that all Santa Monica residents have to drive to the park and Los Angeles (re: Mar Vista) residents could actually walk there.  Ah, Santa Monica being Santa Monica.  But this isn't a rant about the evils of Santa Monica... or is it?

Anyway, Mary Jane watched some dogs and she then busted out into a dog dance.  Quite a classic to watch. 

Some Extra Pictures from Christmas

 
 Nothing quite like going back and downloading all sorts of pictures onto the computer.  Since we use two cameras: the small pocket camera and the "good" camera, they don't always get downloaded at the same time.  In fact, sometimes it's a matter of finding the right connecting cord.  Yeah, hate it when that happens... have a great photo and then can't find the right cord.

Anyway, here are some great photos to enjoy as well.  Yes, many are on Facebook but somehow these come with just a little more personality.

What I Will Be Watching on Christmas Night

These are not the droids you are looking for.

Since my wonderful fantasy football team, the Spanish Inquisition, will be in the playoffs, that will be my must-watch game.  Yes, I have Aaron Rodgers as my quarterback.  Unfortunately Greg Jennings, my trusted wide receiver also with the Packers, is out for the rest of the regular season which really puts a cramp into winning my fourth EFL title.  Not to worry, I'll find some other jedi mind tricks to vault my team back to its apex.

Ten Days Till My Next Doctor's Appointment

Alas, I don't think Ma and Pa Kendall have BBC America on their cable list.  I guess I'll just have to record it and wait to watch it back in my home state.

Everyone needs a little more Doctor Who in their life.  Unless you're a Dalek. 

Pictures from Mary Jane's Party

 Here are a few pics from today's party.  It was quite the busy shindig this afternoon as family members from both sides represented.  Ironically enough, the closest relative on either side, my sister Pat, couldn't make it due to illness (never good when other children are there) but my other sibs from the Inland Empire and Jill's family from Arizona made it.  Lots of tables there and all were occupied.  Good thing we rented all of those chairs!







Hmm... cake!

  Mary Jane tried cake for the first time and shivered quite a bit at it.  She had a little bit but not much.  She much preferred all the other food that people were giving her.  I think she really likes meatballs.  Then again you can't wear meatballs on your face as well as you can with cake.


Betsy is only eight months away or so from her first birthday party.  Wow, she's almost four months old herself!

Hopefully Mary Jane will have a much healthier Christmas this time around.  She'll grab a stick like she did on the right and smash any illness that dares try to confine her.

Perfect weather today... always have to wonder about December birthday parties but this was ideal.

Mary Jane didn't quite hit the pinata all that well but give her a few years.  Then she'll really be able to give it a whack.  I'll work on that swing with her.

MJ Returns Triumphantly from Arizona

Mary Jane made it to and from Arizona with no problems whatsoever. Last time she was in the hospital over Christmas which was a downer not only for her (goodness, hospital food?) but also her dear doting parents. She remained healthy and slept quite well in the western areas of Phoenix.

For her tremendously good behavior, a big party was thrown for her and she received a cake. Every baby needs a cake!

Mary Jane Improving at the Hospital

Our poor little girl came down with a tough case of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) for those like me who are not in the know. She came down with a bad bout of congestion and we were lucky that we were right near a children's hospital in Phoenix. She's been in for a few days now and all is looking better for her.

It is kinda sad wandering the halls and noting all the sick children who are missing out at being at home with their families over Christmas. Santa did make a visit through the hospital floors yesterday and little Mary Jane did get a cute stuffed animal. It's quite kind of people to volunteer their services for such beneficent duties. Not only that but all the children received a multitude of games, gifts, and stuffed animals from people's donations. It's one of the few times that you can see the other side of giving gifts to charities. While MJ is still fighting her illness and does not quite get those whole stuffed animal thing yet (oh, she will some day!), it still does make her parents smile. At least I think I was smiling, I just got off the night shift so my sleep was negligible to say the least.

Anyway, throw some prayers in the general direction of Phoenix. We'll hopefully be home in the next day or two. Tonight Miss Jill will be the recipient of the night shift so I might be able to type up another update then.

Awaiting Mary Jane's First Professional Pictures

Ah, yes, it's that time of year. Well, I guess most people with children (or rabbits) get ready with their traditional Christmas photos for cards or whatever. But at least in our circumstance, it is also a "welcome to the family" type card. So then everyone can say, "Oh, that's so cute!" or something close to that effect. Or some unknowing friend or relative saying, "Wow, looks just like you." Hmm.

In any event, it is our second day of rain and it is supposed to rain all the way through Wednesday. That's quite alright as we need all the rain we can get here in supposedly sunny California. All this does is keep the light down for our little girl so Mary Jane doesn't have to deal with bright sunlight for a few days.

As for Miss Jill and Mister John, they both received plenty of sleep last night as MJ slept solidly with only small one hour breaks for eating and changing. I wish the bunnies would be so respectful!

Alas, poor Cherry Bugg is locked up in the bedroom cage. She's not big on pictures anyway. She claims it is all vanity. Smart rabbit, that Cherry Bugg. Such a large vocabulary: vanity, subterfuge... she'll teach Mary Jane very well.

Mary Jane Suffers Bath; Chip Begs for Food

After a long day of sleeping and eating and sleeping and eating and occasionally relieving herself, Mary Jane did not realize that she'd have to take a bath today. Tomorrow is a big day for MJ as she's going to Mister John's school for the Christmas party. Oh my, she has to look really cute for that. So Miss Jill and Mister John gave her a bath tonight. Yes, such the shiny and clean girl now.

Unlike the bunny baths, MJ didn't seem to fuss much. She kept her cool and only cried in small doses. Miss Jill attacked with the sponge while Mister John calmly kept his big hairy hand upon her so she wouldn't escape. Well, more like just roll back and forth.

Meanwhile Chip surreptitiously entered the kitchen knowing that if his two main feeders were in the kitchen, some carrot action is about to happen. Chip sat there hearing the bath continue and he had some flashbacks. Nothing worse than a rabbit getting soaked. Some of those Chip bath pictures are classics. Look at that guy over there. Doesn't he look happy? OK, he looks like he just sat out in the rain for four hours without an umbrella.

Anyway, he was later given a carrot so he was happy. Mary Jane finally was dried off and put into her night wear so she could sleep. Now it's evening and with her sleeping and Chip sitting beside this blogger, all is quiet in the house... except for the noisy computer.

Tomorrow is the last day of finals for Mister John so he'll be doing Mister Dad chores for a few days. Oh no!