Happy birthday, Grandma

October 2009

June 2012

We look forward to hanging out with you again soon!

Love, 

Paloma and Imogen

Happy birthday Paloma!

Paloma turned three last week. Three already. It feels like we just celebrated her second birthday.

My, how time flies.

Her birthday was on a Thursday, so we opened a couple of presents before school. She seemed pretty happy to get a new bunny ears jacket.

Modeling her new jacket

Ears to keep her ears warm in the winter

At school, she shared some hedgehog slice with her friends and everyone sang happy birthday.


When we got home, Howard artfully hid her next present in the backyard.

Although she seemed a little distracted, we eventually got her to try out her new trike.

And away she goes!!!

After a trial run in the backyard, we decided to take it to the streets.

She talks a lot, doesn't she?

The next night, Grandmommy and Grandaddy came to visit and she dressed up for the occasion.

Thanks for the hat, Aunt Shari!

Then on Saturday morning, we celebrated AGAIN! (Three parties: what a lucky girl!)

We had a bunch of friends around and they had a grand old time with paint and a blank wall.

Of course, no party is complete without birthday cake. Paloma had requested purple cake with pink frosting and I did my best to oblige (despite some technical difficulties).

Proud as punch!

Mia, Caroline, Paloma, Finn, Liam, James

One, two, three blow!

Thanks to Sarah for capturing Paloma blowing out the candles. Apparently, I missed the first attempt:

In the meantime, Imogen just soaked up the atmosphere...

"Yeah, I'm cool. No big deal."

And now we have a beautiful mural in our backyard!

[Thanks to everyone who came and painted with us![

There's still room to add more!

I wonder what will happen when (if) it snows?

Happy birthday, Aussie Grandma!

We hope you received your card in time. 

Yep, that's the Burdett tongue sticking out. 

A lot of work went into that card...

If you listen closely, you will hear Paloma ask for a toothpick to spread the glitter.

And several iterations....

A glimpse into Paloma's busy little mind....

Until Paloma got it just right.

Happy birthday, world traveler!

Happy birthday, Paloma Lois!

Can you  believe that our little girl is two years old already? In some ways, it feels like just the other day since she was born. In other ways, that feels like an eternity ago. 

On her birthday, Howard and I woke up early and went into Paloma's room to sing 'Happy Birthday', spank Paloma (the number of spanks = her age) and roll her under the bed (a Brandenburg tradition). We ate pancakes and opened a few presents from Australia and from us. 

I made her a special birthday crown and a special birthday tutu. 

Woh! Check out this skirt!

I think she kind of likes it. 

It looks as though the present that she got for her first birthday is still getting a good workout!

Paloma and I packed our bags with a bunch of snacks, then headed off to the zoo for the morning. I didn't take many photos because I was too busy lifting her in and out of the stroller (she's a little indecisive!). 

Ooooohhhh.... zebras....

And then we came home for a well-deserved nap (I think I may have needed it just as much as she did). When Paloma woke up, we made some sugar cookies to take to daycare the next day and then we waited for Howard to come home for the next big birthday surprise. 

He made her a swing!

She likes it A LOT!!

On Saturday, we celebrated again with a party in the backyard. Grandmommy, Grandaddy and Auntie Cathy all came down from Taos, plus a bunch of friends from Albuquerque. Thank you all for making Paloma so happy!

She had a wonderful time opening all of the presents. I think she enjoyed tearing the paper as much as seeing what was inside.

 


Only another six five months to go and we'll be celebrating another birthday!

SJR 2011

At Last, "On the water, not for Work"

The BrandenBurdetts take to the San Juan River

The week prior to our trip down the San Juan River was spent shopping for food, packing camping gear, and building a frame for our little raft, Corbicula. Here Paloma watches her Papa cut the aluminum frame.

Arriving in Montezuma Creek, UT  mid-day Friday afternoon, we unpacked the stuff from our car and stuffed it in the boat. River mile 93.0

 

We stopped a few miles downstream to wander around and adjust the frame and oars... yep, we all fit on that boat!

 Paloma found the sand and cobble beach, and that interface with the water fascinating and FUN!

 

Further downstream a few wild horses crossed our path. River mile 91.4

That evening we camped in a beautiful spot with sand beaches and a cottonwood canopy. We went for a short hike, relaxed in the sand....wrestled in the sand, had dinner, told stories, and jumped like frogs in the sand; all around a very small campfire, a "baby fire" laughed Paloma. River mile 89.8

The next morning was cool, fall was in the air, mist rose from the San Juan River and we all awoke when Paloma started to thrash about and kick us in our heads.

 Notice that Paloma is becoming the same color as the dirt...

Later that day we stopped for lunch and took a rest.

...At least some of us wanted to rest: the rest wanted to wrestle! 

That little girl of mine is quick on her feet!

The weather was warm so we all went for a swim in the turbid waters of the San Juan River. Paloma liked the crisp feel of the water. She would give a squeal when I submersed her - I did too! 

We explored ancient Anasazi ruins. We found pottery, tools, and also wandered seeming aimlessly through the desert. River mile 80.7

"Papa, what is this?"

"Paloma, what is this?"

Down the river we go, mile by mile, (river mile 78...77....76...... Oh I am getting tired....).

 

OH!! Thanks Paloma!!!

A Visit to Taos

Hello from Taos, Paloma and I (Auntie Cathy) decided to usurp this blog and give you an update! Tonight Ayesha and Howard are celebrating their Australia Wedding Anniversary. They have gone out to dinner and look very spiffy!
Paloma, who is working to become a great communicator, spent some time talking to Grandpoppy Jim. Paloma is telling him all about the trip to Taos including the big mountains they saw. You can see Grandpoppy is most impressed by this story.

Also Paloma talked to Grandmommy Claire. This was a long talk punctuated with moments of deep reflection (as seen in the picture below). Grandmommy Claire seemed to understand the depth and breadth of the conversation and didn't interrupt much.

Lastly Paloma had a visit with Auntie Cathy who promised Paloma that these conversations would be documented for posterity's sake. Satisfied that Cathy would, indeed as promised, note these meaningful affairs, Paloma decided a nap was in order.

The nap was an extraordinary one which took place in a Tupperware container with several blankets. Obviously life is good.