Holy Cuteness, Batman!

It's the Twink with her (very carefully bundled-up) baby Ariel!

And her we have *my* carefully bundled up baby.

Except for the ears.

That's last year's hat, and it's not quite cutting it anymore.

Two cute kids in one picture!

Score!

Who's crazy idea was it to come play outside right now, anyway?

Um, I believe that was YOU, Mommy!

Yeah - something about "needing to get out of the house right now before you go insane..."

Well, maybe I meant go shopping or something. Not stand around outside in the cold!

Hah ha, Mommy!  You know that Dad said if he found out you'd been to IKEA again, he was cutting up your card!

And I would totally rat you out.

I can't help it, it's what I do.

Now, quit your whining and blow some bubbles.

Huh?  You don't feel like blowing bubbles?

You know, Mom, I could tell Dad we'd been shopping, even if we don't actually go...

Oof.  That's harsh.  Threatening your own mother.

I love it! She's ours to command!  Now blow bubbles, woman!

Jaynie, you are a genius!

Ha!  I know! An evil genius!

With outstanding fashion sense!  Check out these slippers!

Huh!  Those *do* make the outfit!

Ooh - the baby sees something...

What is he staring at so intently?  Did I actually let them bully me into blowing bubbles?

Ha! No! I made Jaynie do it herself!

This is the moment where she realizes *something* went wrong...

Why yes, those are my cloth diapers hanging out to dry.

Mom! You're a fruitcake!  Completely crunchy!

Somebody get this woman away from the "natural" websites before she stops using shampoo and vaccinating us!

Twink?  What are you doing in the toy box?

Just admiring this huge balloon you got me, Mom!

I love it!  (Check out the face here - what a ham.)

Jaynie (and Ariel, of course) outside the ruins at Pompeii.

Jonas and I horn in on the "sit in front of the famous thing" pictures.

Madam checks out the amphitheater.  (I think this was the "small amphitheater" - the large one had reclining seats and surround sound.)

Is it morbid to take pictures of your two-year-old next to mummified bodies?

Is it especially morbid to have them make funny faces in front of the mummified bodies?

Look!  When we have other people with us, you get pictures of the whole family!

Picture of the whole family, plus some of the scenery.  Thanks Uncle Richard!

Ok - as if Madam on his shoulders isn't cute enough..

We have Ariel peeking out of the backpack.

What?  You expected me to carry my own toy?  All day? That's crazy talk, Mommy.

Jaynie hams it up in front of a gorgeous downtown Naples view.

Miss Thing at the aquarium.  We looove the aquarium.

Alright, Twink - pose in front of that fountain, would you?

Ok, good.. good... Hey - are those hot pink cowboy boots?

They sure are, Mommy!  With spangles and beads on them!  Every girl should have a pair!

Back at home, she wanders out of her room wearing only this.  I, of course, run for the camera.  Teenage Jaynie better be nice to me, because I have soooo much blackmail ammo... 

Ah, yes. The "big pile of toys".

This is what happens when Joe goes out of town on a TDY.

I get desperate for a shower, and task Jaynie with playing with Jonas while I take one.

Jaynie "plays with Jonas" by creating this - 

The "big pile of toys!!!"  Sigh.

I  have to say, however, that it totally worked.

I've never seen this kid so content to sit and play by himself in his room.  I guess he just wanted a nice selection of stuff to  play with.

Nice hat!  Is it somebody's birthday?

It is! Uncle Richard's!  He's getting ooooold.

I think she's laughing at us in the hats.  Which is funny, considering there's one on her head, too.  Guess she figures she's the only one that can really pull it off.

Ack!  Now there's a big pile of toys in the play-spot, too?  Who did this?

Gee.  I wonder.

Oooh - here we are, all on a train!  Where could we be going?

Does this pic of the Twink w/ a street performer help?  Can you tell where we are?

Ok, how about now?  What if I show you this one with more people who get paid to smile for the camera?  Here's a hint - don't forget to check out what's in the background...

Roma!

Jaynie could care less that she's standing outside the most famous church in the world...

It's the pigeons that have her full attention.  Watch out, pigeons!  I see someone small and dangerous sneaking up in the background here.

How do you get both kids in the same pic as the dome of St. Peters?  Get down on the ground with them, of course.

You may want to keep a close eye on the baby, however, while taking these artsy photos - he may take the opportunity to eat a feather.  Bird flu, anyone?

All five of us at St. Peter's (the fifth being, obviously, my wacky "bought from a street vender because I forgot mine" sunglasses.)

The J-man and I pose for yet another shot with the church.

Now the whole family - we look like an advertisement for baby-wearing.

Ha! Look!  It's contagious!  I've totally infected my friends with the baby-wearing fever!

Group shot in front of the Castel San Angelo (Anyone who has read Angels and Demons - this is where the secret lair was.)

Madam in front of la Fontana di Trevi.  

These no-flash ones are a bit blurry, but w/ the flash the fountain was too dark... next time we'll hit Trevi when there's still enough sunlight. (You like how casually I say that?  The "next time" we go to Rome? Cause it's so close, we can go any day of the week?  Yeah - it's good to be me.)

Happy Thanksgiving from the kid table!

The Muffin loooved Thanksgiving.  An entire day dedicated to eating - right up his alley.  This was the day he discovered his new favorite food - pumpkin pie. 

Chub alert!

Whoops!  Uh, hi baby!  Me?  No - I'm not doing anything back here.  Camera?  What camera? 

Hey, look! There's a little elf helping Daddy unpack the Christmas stuff!

Ooh, Daddy!  Check out this shirt!

How does it look?  I think it might be too big.

Here, Dad - it's perfect for you!

So, can we put the star up now?  How about now?  Is it time now? What about...

Heeeey!  It looks like all the ornaments are on the tree! 

Daddy!  Get the star!  It's time!

Awwww.

Look at that gorgeous star!  Look at that gorgeous face!

Great job you guys.  Sigh.  I love this family.

Hey, bud.  I see you're busy playing, but it's lunch time.

What?  Lunch time?  Let's go!

Let's hear it for leftover sweet potatoes!

Jonas looooves them.

And they make for such fabulous messy-baby pictures!

Speaking of messy baby -you think you could get some of that food in your mouth, instead of all over the floor? (Check out my 10€ high chair! I love IKEA!)

Whoa, Jonas.  That's an... unfortunate... haircut you have there.  I hope you didn't pay too much for that.

Moooom!  Why would you let that lady do this to my hair?  Why why whywhywhy?  

Oh. My. Goodness.

It's a dancing ballerina!

In a feather tiara. Of course.  Anything else might have been over the top.

Look at that dancing!  Who needs lessons!

Hey Mommy!  I need ballet lessons!  You're not wiggling out of this one!

What's better than bath pictures?

Bubble bath pictures!

It's Santa come early!  White beard? Check. Fat belly?  You betcha!

Well - it had to happen eventually.

I mean, we did it to Jaynie - how could we not put the wigs on him?  We wouldn't want him to feel left out now, would we?

Awww.  It's a Christmas angel!

An angel and her little friend, the Princess!

You gotta love a kid who will dress up and ask you to take her picture.  

Why are these girls laying on the cold, hard ceramic tiles?

Can this possibly be comfortable?  They asked me for the pillows and blankets.  I guess all that dressing up really takes it out of you.