Rain, Rain, Go Away...

The girls want the sun to come out so they can play in the front yard like in this photo.  Otherwise it's inside all day.

Not to worry, girls.  We live in California.  It doesn't rain THAT often.

Cough, Sneeze, Hack

Ah, the problem with having little children: they sneeze right into your face.  What chance does one have of staying healthy?

At least I am knocking down lots of tea today.  Miss Jill wisely bought me an electric teapot years ago which helps out the cause.

Achoo?

Hurts So Good

Yes, the game might have taken place over a week ago but this Bruin still feels proud over UCLA finally defeating their archrival, 38-28.  In the picture on the right, linebacker Anthony Barr (from Loyola High, thank you very much) smashed Matt Barkley and knocked him out of the game (and the Notre Dame game as well).   While UCLA lost their next game to Stanford (way too many penalties), they still advanced to the Pac-12 title game against Stanford (odd quirk in the schedule).  The winner goes to the Rose Bowl.  Wow, Mister John hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1999... yes, the Cade McNown era. 

Girls Celebrate Thumpsgiving with Cookie Sue

Mary Jane and Betsy celebrated Cookie Sue and Betsy's first Thumpsgiving with the family.  As seen to the right, Mary Jane slightly missed on placing the food in the bowl but Phillip (not amused that MJ fed Cookie Sue first) was OK with it.  Betsy politely patted Heidi on the back which startled the carmel-colored bunny but she was ultimately hoppity over it.

All-Time Bruin Rushing Leader

All Hail the new Bruin Rushing Leader

That Arizona game was quite impressive: nothing like a 66-10 victory to make you feel a little better about yourself.  But still three games remain.  Just make sure we win the one in the middle.

Cookie Sue Looking Like a Bugg

Styling

Cookie Sue was quite a relaxed bunny on Saturday.  She stretched out her back feet and watched some flat-screen TV in her cage (didn't know she had one).

Today she was a bit argumentative with her new-sister Heidi.  But they'll get along, really they will.

A Mar Vista Halloween

Mama with girls

 Nothing like a Halloween evening to get the girls in a festive mood.  They paired up quite nicely as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf.  They made it to four houses on the evening as that's about all they could manage in our neighborhood.  Maybe next year they'll expand to ten but for now that's perfect.

Mary Jane much preferred to stand on our porch and distribute candy to all the other trick-or-treaters.  One of them (in a Scream mask) actually scared her so she backed up at first and didn't give them a candy.



The Big Bad Wolf with Candy

On a similar note, Betsy had a fit when she first saw Daddy in his Gramma (Wolf) costume.  She kept screaming not knowing it was her own Daddy.  That made him sad but he got over it... ultimately.

Little Red Riding Hood (Betsy) fell asleep as soon as she got back.  Too much stimulation for her.  As for Mary Jane, she did stay up late for her.  All of 7:15 but then she summarily passed out and the rest of the night was quite for the Wolfman and his Wife.

Look, it's Little Red Riding Hood!

Daddy on a Stroll

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.

Be True to Your School

The girls are looking quite collegial this afternoon. Mary Jane and Betsy Jo are sporting their UCLA and Oregon gear, respectively.

Let's get back to the Final Four

Coming to a Theatre Near You!

 Betsy will cast a spell upon thee.

Mary Jane will hyponotize thee with her numerical incantations.  One, two, three...