76 Trombones Led the Big Parade.

Despite poopy weather

and despite our hankering for our home town's

 notorious July 4th hullabaloo (Provo),

this patriotic, holiday weekend spent in Portland was quite enjoyable!

The Hillsboro Independence Day Parade was especially charming,

along with nummy bbq's,

 and great fireworks, 

and good company.

p.s.

Margot's 4th documented on the update blog.

Fishing in Mexico.

Wednesday Night:

         Eric: "My family heads to Mexico this Friday for their annual fishing trip."

        Carly: "I could sure use some sun, haven't seen it in a few months."
Eric: "Let's go with them."

Carly: "Okay!"

Friday Night:

Red family flies to Utah.

Saturday Night:

Drop off Emmett and Margot with family in Provo.

(Thanks a Ga-zillion Anne Marie and Gram Tam!)

Sunday Night:

               Carly and Eric fall asleep in San Carlos, Mexico.

p.s. I thought the fish I caught was pretty great...until 20 minutes later when Eric caught Big Juan.

   

p.p.s.

 I've made a vow to be more spontaneous, and admonish all to do the same.

So worth it!

Past His Due Date.

Us Reds traveled to Utah to give bro. #3, Tanner Hunt Runia, a welcome home from 2 years abroad in Budapest, Hungary. 

Still here in Utah, but no Tanner, not to mention the Runia parentals

along with bro. #4,  Nolan.

Wanna know why?

Volcanoes.

All 4 are stuck in Europe while the rest of us just wait....

Wanna know what this is?

A pain in the Ash.

p.s.

Meanwhile, Margot and Emmett are tending to your beloved chicks, Dad.

Don't you worry.

Bodyguard.

I'm getting weary of this.

I mean the role I've been obligated to assume as Margot Red's full-time bodyguard.

There is one, single persecutor.
We frequently refer to him as, "Mett Mett."

Super nice, older brother snuggle buggles turn suddenly, with no explanation, into this:

 headlocks, bodyslams, choke holes.

Look at the acute terror in her eyes!

Emmett's best friend since Margot's birth, has not been Margot (obviously), but the corner...with his nose stuck in it.

p.s.

No. 

This photo was not staged.

And, yes.

I, Kevin Costner-esque like, came to her rescue.
(Get it...from "The Bodyguard")

p.p.s.
FYI: I keep the "Margot and Emmett Update Blog" updated...at least more frequently than this one. (See right panel)

Sunshine's 1st Birthday.

Remember how on February 15th 2009 how we "Met Margot" for the first time.

And Remember how it is February 15th 2010 and I'm in wonder as I search for the past year, flabbergasted by its sudden disappearance.

And now she is a 1 year old; charmed by a jewelry box and a tutu.

p.s.

The sun came out for Sunshine's birthday.

Coincidence? I don't think so.

Mele Kalikimaka.

We lived with Aloha this Christmas!!

 It was so wonderful. In fact, it felt like we were back to stay for good.

Plus, wouldn't Emmett and Margot do well as little North Shore Keiki's?

No I am not skinny dipping in the pool...my swimsuit strap covers only the right shoulder.

It was so fun to revisit our favorite food spots.

And participate in our ritual Sabbath day surf observing.

Sun + Beach + Football = Eric's Best Christmas Present Ever

Margot and Berkley star in Blue Crush: the Sequel?

p.s. Eric's dreaming of a White Christmas 2010.

 Carly, however, wouldn't mind having another 80 degree 
sunshiney one.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

9 months in. 9 months out.

My Margot has been out of me as long as she was in me.

I think now is the moment she begins her true independence. 

She breaks away; not much, but in smallish ways.

Walking invades crawling, "Ma Ma" replaces crying for her needs, hair hides the infant baldness, she assumes the bottle holding while eating, and naked gums are lost to a mouth stocked with teeth...basically "grown-up" traits.

Frequently I end up moaning with regret the minutes I may have wasted with Margot the Infant; yet, today was the beginning of my yielding to the inevitable: Margot the Girl.

 I was, for the first time ready, even anxious, to find out more about this daughter: her interests, hobbies, strengths, weaknesses, joys...all things that are ahead for her. 

Here's to tomorrow!

p.s. 
Happy Christmas! It really is the most wonderful time year, 

for it is when we celebrate the arrival of the Good news: 

"Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of righteousness!

 Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man may no more die;

Born to raise the sons of Earth, Born to give them second birth.

Hark the Herald Angels sing Glory to the new born King!"

Hope you all have a really fabulous Holiday!

Willem Emmett Red is 3.

Willem Emmett.

 I don't think he even knows his first name is Willem. 

The week he was born we called him Willem, but it was wrong. The name was a stranger to him. 

He's Emmett. 

The origin meaning of the name Emmett means, "All Containing; Universal; Strong." 

And he came that way.

 He is a sort of renaissance man boy.

His interests, his personalities, his temperaments are"All containing".  

Like how he's obsessed with all sports that involve a ball, but will sing and dance his way between the bases. He will "read" his books late into the night and then construct intricate cities and 

roadways with his train tracks.

He's stubborn; he'll act tougher than nails, even amoral at times, but in a instant he'll break, and before I know it he is smothering me with love. 

He doesn't fit a mold. He is every mold.

He is the most passionate and enthusiastic, not to mention, dramatic, person I've ever met! 

Oh, and his rampant imagination; everything is an adventure!

He has an intense zeal for life. 

No day is ever dull or meaningless with Emmett.

I'll be frank, I am wasted at the end of every day.

 He keeps us all going full speed, 100% of the time.

But I know this small body houses a firm soul.

He is no fence-sitter; rather a force: "strong"...let's all hope a force for the good!

p.s. Melt.