Reading at the Wetzels

As one would expect, reading is an important activity at our house. Catie makes an impassioned point about her favorite book.


Fortunately, she is ready to listen to another point of view.

Miranda shows her current book.

And Erika also enjoys reading at the table, albeit with a bit of attitude to mix it up.

Museum of Flight - Boeing Field

Today we went to Boeing Field to get in touch with our pacific northwestern roots in aviation.


The Lyttle boys (Carter and Henry) were with us today, so that made for 5 kids.
And yes, that's an SR-71 in the background. How cool is that?


It was foggy this morning, but you can still see a little of Mt. Rainier in the distance.


Jason, Erika, and Carter with the planes out front.

Face painting is never out of style? Unfortunate.

Sometimes Erika likes to have black paint on. It's a weird look for sure.

She also paints the babies. They will have their revenge as soon as they figure this out.

Jason and Catie read the classic: What Floats?

Uncle Mark brought us a lovely dinner this Sunday; quite the party.

Concert - Part I

Concert - Part II

As the concert continues, Miranda discovers disco. Eat your heart out John Travolta!


Catie begins to boogie, but only if she can hold Mommy's hand. Catie takes her dancing very seriously.


And Erika still thinks the musicians are too loud. Unfortunately, I left her headphones at home. Poor kid. Yet, she liked the music enough to ask me to buy a CD. We listened to the band on the way home, and she made Jason copy it to the computer as soon as we got home.




And just to show everyone, Erika was smiling at the beginning of the concert. (or is this the end when she heard we were finally going home)

Just Hanging Out at Home

So many pictures, so little time to post.


Catie and Erika goof around.


Miranda enjoys the cardboard house she helped decorate.

Chocolate Ice Cream Cones

While I was working in the kitchen, Erika found where I hid the ice cream cones. As there is nothing better than ice cream during January, we celebrated with a weekday party.


Catie and Miranda show off their cone skills.

Miranda's goatee.


Catie could get used to this.


Erika shows her budding comedic skills.

January fun

We are still having rainy weather here in Seattle, and that means a lot of indoor play time. Besides dancing, the girls are doing a whole host of creative activities.

Miranda can now ride the rocking horse.


Erika insists on sharing in the fun.



Catie's closeup


Somehow, the ring on Jason's head is an important part of the game.

Dinner time

Catie shows her Hughes reading genes as she peruses a book after dinner.



Miranda shows us how a fork and spoon can be used as an impromptu drum set.



Caties smiles indulgently at her twin's antics.

Painting faces

Erika has caught the artistic bug and decided to use facepaint to paint hersef and her sisters. Here Erika is the Sanrio character ChocoCat while Catie is a purple-faced tiger.


Miranda participated in the fun too. Erika decided that Miranda looks best in warm colors. I good choice, I think.



It's hard to get pictures of all three girls together as one or another always seem to be moving. This is one that is the most clear.



Catie continplates the mysteries of being 19 months while Erika and Miranda are blurs behind her.

Miranda and the sink (2min video)

This is Miranda's favorite activity. If we didn't close the bathroom door, I think she would do this all day.

Note, this video is not particularly interesting, but it's representative. I would like to catch Catie doing stuff, but her pleasures are more subtle.

CoCo Kitty Rebecca

Erika's latest name for herself is "CoCo Kitty Rebecca"

As you may remember, when she was 4, she spent most of her time named "Jungle", or "Ichigo" or "Vanilla Rainbow Sparkle", but those days are gone.

As for the twins, I (daddy) have learned something: There are times when its obvious a dirty diaper is afoot. But which one of them is culprit? All I have to do is announce, "Who needs a diaper change!?" and make the sign-language sign for change and whomever runs the fastest is the stinky one.

Miranda draws

She loves drawing on the walls, so I put up some paper in her favorite spot. Clearly, I have been out-smarted.

Aunt Kimi's Winter Visit

We are out for a brisk stroll at the arboretum.

Christmas Time '09

Erika makes gingerbread houses at the Hanley's house


Party after party takes it's toll.


Grandma Gladdy and Catie frost cookies.

Christmas 2009

I know, you are expecting pictures, but we have not taken any. I understand this is surprising, but our holiday has been unfolding more like the a tribute to Miss Saigon more than anything else.

Christmas morning unfolded unpredictably as everyone has the sniffles, and then it was a slow progression which did not lend itself to any particular photo-worthy moment. As of right now, Dec 26th, we have 20 gifts as of yet unopened.

The kids are in the mode of opening one thing, then playing with it until they are ready for the next. I guess I don't really feel like pushing them, but at some point they are going to have to kick it up a notch.

Thanks to everyone for their generosity! Grandma Kathy and Keith are unsurpassed!

Right now, the three of them are at a birthday party at Jump Planet, so I have about two hours to clean the living room with a snow shovel and make some progress with the kitchen. So there are no pictures yet.

Merry Christmas!

Transition to Christmas Decorating

Here Erika models one of two Disney nightgowns which we purchased this morning with some of her Birthday money. Like an arrow sprung from the bow, Erika and her birthday money were headed straight to the Disney store.

So she *can* get her socks and shoes on in under 1 minute!


Miranda exclaims that the transition from Erika's birthday party to Christmas is very exciting.


It is, however, frought with danger at every turn!


After the 47th piece of her birthday cake, Erika (with frosting still on her face) starts to love her sisters agressively. It's just the sugar talking at this point.