Things Your 13 Month Child Can Do That You Can't...

Zoe already knows how to get past the key-lock on Mommy's iPhone. She presses fervently on the home button, until the camera icon comes up, which does the trick, and then she's in... At this point she inhales, eyes wide, big smile, sits up straight, and looks around to see if Mommy has noticed that she got through, shrieks with excitement if she discovers she's in fact been "made," and clutches the iPhone with both hands to her chest, knowing all too well she is only a couple random taps away from an email, or YouTube, or something pretty cool, and has only a few seconds before Mommy comes in to snatch it away...

Zoe also knows how to take snapshots of Mommy's screen, like the one above. Mommy is impressed. Mommy and Daddy still can't figure out how to do that!

Shoveling Snow with Boppa

When Hannah and Zoe woke up this morning, there was SNOW on the ground!

Boppa trudged out to shovel the walk ways, and before long, he had some help!

Hannah was very excited about having a special task of snow shoveling,

and she told Boppa she would shovel all of the driveway behind the house.

Hannah made fast progress! She was concentrated and focused on her work.

A heavy shovel is no problem for Hannah!

Almost finished!

"Hey Daddy, I'm ready for more snow to fall so I can shovel some more!"

"Hey Boppa, come here and see how much I helped shovel!"

"Hey Boppa, you missed a spot!"

"I LOVE SHOVELING WITH YOU BOPPA!"

A job well done!

Boppa Reads with Zoe

Zoe's favorite thing to do at 13 months old is sit on Boppa's lap,
point at animals, listen to Boppa make animal noises, and turn pages!
"I love you Boppa! LET'S READ IT AGAIN!"

HWL & ZWL: SFO to ORD

Zoe's first plane ride

from sunny San Francisco to shivery Chicago

sure was exciting! There were plenty of interesting

things to read tucked into the seat-back,
Upside down A is one of the time-tested classics!

AND... Guess What!
Hannah, the travel-wisened pro,

didn't have any ear problems this time!

...and take-off was fun! Wooooooaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

After a long day of travel...

on cars, buses, airplanes, more buses, different cars...
during the day and during the night,

from warm to cold, from excited to exhausted...
Zoe, what could possibly make you stop crying,
stop thinking about so much strangeness?
Well, how about comfort, love, and glowing warmth?
This is the Christmas tree

Memaw and Boppa prepared for you and Hannah...
Zoe, you raised your arms up and with a big smile,

you said,"ooooooooooooooooooh!"

and then you were happy!

Merry Christmas, Chicago!

Zoe loves her Refreshing Water

Zoe's Room With a View

Not too shabby for a nap-time backdrop...

I can see Mt. Tam from my bedroom window...

Hannah & Zoe's Holiday Card Photo Shoot

Thanks for taking all these wonderful photos, Mommy!
We can't decide which collages we love the most - we love them all!

"Immaculate and ineffable" memories of home...

Dazzling, grayish black sky throwing reflection on the sea.
The call of the sea is so loud and tempting.
Hard rocks on the edges of the walk path.
Nebulous view of the golden gate bridge,on one side
The alluring wooden houses with green plants
Hanging ,prominence was unavoidable
Halcyon walks and endless talks of lovers.
Beauty of Tiburon was abstruse
Leaving the mind puzzled
Unlimited blessings of the eternal God
His omni presence could be felt
Feeling of pulchritude to the soul
The ardent emotions fills the heart with joy
As the evening fades into night
Standing aloof on the tiny ravishing bridge
Redolent flowers delights the mood
Mellifluous sounds goes with the flow
The intensity of the love remains unclear
Sanguine feeling with unending desires to follow with...

A poem written by Fatima Hasan