Scott Emerson Marsh!!!!

He's arrived!!!! We're so happy he's with us! And now I can breathe again without pain in my ribs :)

Scotty's stats:
9lbs., 12oz., 21 3/4in.

Arrival Date:
December 1st at 10:33am

All Aboard!!!!

Our annual trip on the Polar Express took place last Sunday. It's a special ride available through the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento. The ride follows the story of The Polar Express. They even provide hot chocolate and a cookie! The best part, however, is when the train arrves to the North Pole and Santa hops in. He sings songs with the kids and gives them each a special bell made by elves in the North Pole. The kids love it and it puts the season in your heart. Below are some candids from the day:

First Annual Raingutter Regatta Competition

Yesterday evening, Tiger Cub Scout Marsh had his first "Raingutter Regatta" Competition. He and his father had no idea what to expect. Despite this uncertainty, they worked hard on their boat, put on their game faces, and blew as hard as they possibly could into a straw.

Here's a glimpse of "The Competition":






The rules and regulations of the competition were simple:

1. Build your boat.
2. Blow in straw.

Sam's first competitior was a fellow tiger cub....He smoked him:



Tiger Cub Marsh then challenged a bear cub...He smoked him as well:



It went on and on like this throughout the evening. Tiger defeat? Check. Bear defeat? check. Wolf defeat? Check. There were two things Tiger Cub Marsh relied on:

#1: Technique-He blew in the same spot at the bottom of his mast...every...single...time:



#2: Intensity -No one was going to beat The Tiger:



Here are some of his fellow cub scout homies cheering him on:


AT the end of it all, there was a winner....


And a cute trophy to bring home....

Little Lady Gets Her First Haircut

Izzy had her first haircut last Thursday.

For those of you thinking, "Has Cathy not really taken her to get her hair cut in three years?"

My response is...."Just look at the pictures below...Would you cut it?"

I thought so.

Izzy and her "before" shots....





Izzy and her "After" shot....You might be thinking it looks a lot like her "before" shot and, well, you're right. I forgot to take an "after" shot and, quite frankly, the two inches I had them cut off didn't make much of a difference. Go figure.

Halloween Antics

This year's Halloween experience included a school parade, classroom antics, lots of candy loot, and fun costumes. Sam wanted to be a police officer this year and Izzy wanted to be Alice in WOnderland. I think they both pulled off their costumes really well....But first:

Kentfield's finest leading the parade through the neighborhood:



Sam and his 3rd grade buddy:



Room 3 costumes:



"Yes, this is Officer Marsh...Can I help you?":



The officer and the stormtrooper on pleasant terms:



As usual, we headed over to the Feehan home for some Halloween dinner and trick or treating.




The Trick 'O Treaters:



And this is the only shot you will see of me and my gigantic belly. If you're wondering why Brad is smiling so suspiciously its because:

a) he has two drinks he's taking with him when he walks the kids around the neightborhood and
b) he thinks its funny to use my belly as a resting spot for his beverage

Pumpkin Patchin' It

I was very close to skipping the pumpkin patch this year because I'm pregnnat, lazy and tired. However, our neighbors, the Peluso family, convinced me to go. We had a great time. Sam wheeled the barrow everywhere, Izzy jumped in a jumpy house for hours, and I got to sit around and do a whole lot 'o nothing for a good amount of time. Who knew pumpkin patches could be so friendly to pregnant women as well?

Kung Fu Fighter

Sam started Taekwondo class back in early September. He's pretty good at it and he likes knowing he can hurt somebody if they mess with him. Here he is at practice:




Izzy's job during class is to stand at the end of the room and be the "hand check" girl. She gets to put her arms out and the boys have to do various excercises to reach her, give her a high five, and then head back tot he wall. She loves it.



About two weeks ago, Sam had his first TKD test.

Here he is with his buddies Cameron and Ben.....



And practicing with Jenny before the test begins....



And now he's an orange belt!

Sweet Mischief

Someone I know really wanted to get to the m&m's in the cabinet: