Fun in the snow

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Breven's first outing into the snow. He wasn't so sure he liked it. I think he enjoys being warm like me too much. Needless to say, he was only out there for about 10 minutes. After spending 10 minutes trying to bundle him up!!!! Doesn't it seem like it takes more time to get 'em ready then they are really out there for?

Cheese!

Noah, do you think she'll stop taking pictures soon? Its too cold out here for this!

I tried making a snow man with Noah last week and it turned into a snow blob! I can't remember the last time I tried to make a snowman and what little I knew definitely didn't help! I couldn't seem to get the second snowball on top of the first so what started so great turned into a blob. Sorry, Noah! Maybe Lori can do a better job on it!

Bye, Bye everyone!

New Years Eve

We spent a quiet evening at home with friends for New Years Eve. It was so much fun! We played games all night long. My kind of night. I love just hanging out and hope the relaxing fun night is a signal of what's to come this year.

PJ wanted to prove to all those who think otherwise...Aaron does actually lose sometimes.:)

It didn't take him long to get zonked out! Good night, Bo Bo!

Does the heart good...

I walked out of the kitchen the other night to see this...

How it thrills my heart to see them playing together. And they were getting along:)

And a special message for Uncle J & Auntie Mary:

Hi, Breven here. I told Mommy that I wanted her to post this picture for you. I love you!!

Hanging out with Lolli, Poppi and Uncle Flip Flop, part 2

Anybody hungry?

Noah wanted to prepare some food for you...a word of caution...its quite the assortment.

And then Breven wanted to get in on the action.

Looks like its going to be broccoli with a side of oven mitt.

Hey, Mom. Want the kitchen sink?

And what would a kitchen be good for if you couldn't offer some home cooked food?

Breven wanted to have a sit down to explain a couple of things to Uncle Flip Flop.

Professor Plum with the poison in the library?

Like father, like son.

Christmas wonder

We had so much fun Christmas morning. It was fun to see both boys get so excited and to feel the love in the room. I know that Christmas isn't about the presents, its not about any of the trappings that our society pushes on us. And I definitely don't want our boys growing up with that idea in their heads. But there's just something about the excitement that lights their eyes as they rip open that paper and discover the treasure underneath. I think Aaron and I had just as much fun picking out their gifts as they did opening them and playing with them.

I recently read a friends blog about Christmas presents that I found very intriguing. She gives her children just three gifts to represent the gifts given by the wisemen. What a great way to help keep the true focus, although it didn't happen for us this year. It may not happen for several years, but I love the idea.

Breven definitely didn't understand why after tearing all the paper off a box, he had to give up the box and do it all over again.

Hot chocolate just tastes better on a special day. And what better way to savor it just a little bit longer by storing all over your cheeks and chin. You can lick it all off after you've finished what's in the mug.

Taking a moment to read a new book.

Teaching Breven to play Mozart:)

And my favorite part of having guests...GAMES! We played so many games and had so much fun. Thanks for indulging me, guys!!!

Breven was happy to play with his new phone while we played our games.

He has such happy moments! The phone he got is identical to the phone I had as a toy growing up. Brings back all sorts of memories.

Lori came and spent the day with us. We love you, Miss Worwi! (notice B's finger!)

We had so much fun with Lolli and Poppi.

(and Aaron and I enjoyed a few extra minutes of sleep each day:))

We also love our Uncle Flip Flop. Too bad Noah didn't really start playing with him until the last couple of days of their trip. His whole world was centered on Poppi.

Family=fun, energy, laughter, conversation, love

Noah's cape

My mom made Noah a cape this year for Christmas. She also sent a sword along with it because of course, every super hero needs protection.

While everyone was hanging out Christmas Day, we skyped my parents to open our presents. Little did I know what was going on behind us while we were talking on the computer. I uploaded my pictures and found these...

Who's our number one super hero?!?!

Its a bird, its a plane, its....the Scarlet Spartan!!!

Lori the magnificent

Lolli, grandchild kisser

There's a super hero in all of us. What super hero would you be?

Hanging out with Lolli, Poppi and Uncle Flip Flop, part 1

I'm so glad to know that reinforcements have arrived!!!!

Noah and Breven were in 7th heaven having someone to play with all the time. Although, most of the week, Noah favored Poppi. Poor Uncle Flip Flop and Lolli...I think they know what chopped liver feels like now:)

Lolli with one of her many boys:)

Its a little sad when his head is as big as his Lollis! I think he's going to be one big boy!

Yeah, this is my uncle Flip Flop. And yeah, he's pretty cool.

Breven's face cracks me up!

We never did get a good pic of the these three.

Looking at Mommy's pretty decorations together. Breven seems really interested, don't you think?

Relaxing

Watching a movie together.

Look at how well balanced Poppi is...both boys! And it looks like he's even teaching them to share.

And me being Mr. It-if my hand weren't in the way, it would have been more convincing.

Cookies for the firemen

Noah and Poppi decided that they wanted to do something special for the firemen who do so much for our area and have allowed Noah to visit several times.

It was fun to watch the 2 complete this project on their own from start to finish. And they did a great job, the cookies were delicious!

Okay, so they may not look like much now, but look at all those cookies they made!

YEA!! The cookies are done. Lets go to the firestation!

And what would a visit to the firestation be without a picture in the drivers seat?

It was actually a different visit then our previous visits. We arrived at the firestation and the sidewalks were frozen sheets of ice! It took quite a while to get to the door (and although they didn't realize it at the time, Poppi, Lolli, Uncle Flip Flop and Noah were all able to get in their annual Christmas ice skating. They just didn't know it would all be on sidewalks! Poor Daddy had to miss out.)

We finally made it in and had just made it to the fire trucks when an alarm sounded and the fireman very calmly told us to step behind the yellow line. They were actually heading out to an emergency! I was amazed at just how calm it all happened. There was no running or chaos like they show in the movies.

Noah was pretty bummed when they had to leave, but the fire chief was there to finish off our tour and let us sit in one of the trucks.

Guess who came to visit?!?!

We were patiently waiting for our guests to arrive, so I'm showing B-man my new calendar. What do you think, Bweven?

Mo-oom. He won't let me hold it!

Okay, I'll play with this instead.

Pooh and I are having a snack, wanna join us?

Okay, I'm done being patient. I'll just tell you...Lolli, Poppi and Uncle Flip Flop!!!!

They came in their big, black truck and brought lots of fun things.

And who knew they'd be so willing to be silly with us. Mommy isn't nearly this fun.

Lolli was good at helping me push Breven. He's getting heavy!

Who do you think looks tougher?