Sunday, November 26, 2006

A few pics of our little ones

We're so glad baby Ben is with us!



Below is Mary and her new baby bro.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Thanksgiving Break Pictures

Some pictures from Grandpa and Grandma's visit to Madison during Thanksgiving break.

Grandma Jane and Mary



I think she was asking for fruit snacks...



A shot of Lake Mendota from Picnic Point



Chris and Mary at Picnic Point




Grandpa Jimbo and Mary








Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Movie Review: Happy Feet



Grade: B-

'Happy Feet' is such a dissappointing delight. The first half was better than I expected - full of impressive motion-capture animation, plucky scenes, and pop-music weavings the caliber of 'Moulin Rouge' (also Australian made). The story begins as a tale of a penguin who can't sing (necessary for finding a mate), and becomes an outcast due to his tap dancing talent. But then the movie gets political and preachy, with the main lesson being that we humans need to be careful where we fish. That's great, but subtlety would have been a virtue in this children's movie. I agree with Kris Kaltenbach of the Baltimore Sun, who said "let's just say this is a perfect film for penguin lovers who also are devoted members of the Green party."

Maybe this movie would be good for a 8 year old, or so, but I felt uncomfortable with my 2 year old daughter during some darkly realistic scenes.

With mixed feelings, I'd recommend 'Happy Feet' to those old enough to spell 'environmentalism.'

Saturday, November 18, 2006