Merry Christmas 2013

We enjoy a family service at church for Christmas Eve. 

"For unto us a child is born..."

Followed by Christmas exploding all over the living room the next morning....

Cincinnati Conservatory

The boys and I head downtown to the Conservatory for some Christmas cheer.  After admiring the "beautiful river" (per Howie), we are dazzled by the displays at the indoor botanical gardens.  

Trains and moving displays are very exciting to Johnny while Howie enjoyed the interactive stations where his hand could manipulate the displays.  I liked the enormous poinsettia tree that has become a staple of this place.  I manage to get a photo of the boys in front of it as they do their 

santa-is-coming-and-we-cannot-contain-our-excitement-so-we-wrestle pose.  

As we are leaving, an EMS crew was pulling up to help someone.  

Howie remarks, "Someone probably touched the cactus."  

Traditions

Visiting our local nativity with Steve and Odile has become a tradition for our family.  

It's a great time to pause during the busy season and connect with friends as well as get some sheep time in.  And everybody needs a little sheep time to make it a perfect Christmas.  

Johnny's Preschool Program

We all get the pleasure of watching Johnny's first Christmas program.  He spent a majority of his time fiddling with his shirt (almost had it off at one point), picking the tape off the floor and admiring the fabrics of the little girls' dresses.  We were astounded by his talents nevertheless.  

There is something so cute about watching preschoolers be herded onto a stage to put all their antics on display.  This program was adorable with singing, dancing and playing instruments.  

Joy to the world!! 

Kindergarten Winter Party

My Sweet Boy at the Kindergarten Winter Party

Johnny's Thoughts on Christmas Lights

While driving home in the dark the other night, Johnny makes a fun statement, "Mom!  Look!  At night, the trees disappear and the lights come out."

Thanksgiving 2013

What are we thankful for?  

Family.  

This holiday brings the family to town... and then they stay!  Gamma and Pap Pap settled into their new home, just down the road.  We are bubbling with joy to have them here.  What a special, special gift for the family.  

A hike through the woods determines that you can grow into a man, but still be a little boy at heart.  My dad enjoyed breaking the ice on the pond and throwing snowballs as much as the 3 year old.  Here is a picture of "Fort Stevens", the boys designed and built for the sake of creating something.  

Look closely.... there is a boy in that tree.  

Friends

Happy Birthday to our sweet friend, Georgia, at her "Alice in Wonderland" party.  

Happy Halloween 2013

"Boo!" from a silly monster and lion.  

While driving my car today....

... I overhear a great conversation in the back seat.

Howie: "John, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Johnny: "An elephant."

Howie laughs hysterically.

Howie: "No Johnny, you can't be an elephant.  Maybe you could be a Dad or something."

And this is how it is....

Howie loves a good task.  

When the kindergarten form asks, "What motivates your child?" 

I write, "He motivates himself."  He does.  He loves to have a project and create things.  

Johnny enjoys life at a different angle.  

And these pictures tell the story of our household...  

Howie rakes.

Johnny jumps.

 Howie rakes.

Johnny jumps.  

Yes, my friends, this cycle repeats all... day... long.  

My Little Pumpkins

We have a collection of pumpkins on our porch. 

It represents our family.  

It will be such bliss when we are all together soon.  

Grinnell Mill

The family enjoys another fun visit to Yellow Springs.  

If you live in the area, you need to know about this great place: http://www.grinnellmillbandb.com/  

It's one of the most reasonably priced and interesting places to stay.  

We enjoy the hiking and a few moments of the local farm before the thunder hits.  

Thanks to Jim and Randy for a great visit!  

Howie enjoys his crafts at the dining table.

 Cousin Love!

Johnny spent most of the weekend finding things.  

He enjoys seeing the world around him while Howie is content to forge ahead.

The gang on a rickety bridge... watch out for that missing plank.  Oh, and another...

Rocks + Water + Boy = Hours of Entertainment (every time)

A brief visit to the pumpkin patch gets Johnny talking about pumpkins for weeks afterwards.

Baseball Game

I had the honor of attending a Red's Game with Howie and Paw Paw.  

The Red's didn't have such a great day, but all of the other interesting things at the stadium kept us entertained.  Howie particularly enjoyed the clapping patterns and chants that they broadcasted across the entire arena.  This boy loves to hoot and holler with a crowd.  

He enjoyed a $10 Slushy (it's $1 at Target for the same thing!!) 

and we found some shade to watch the antics of the various mascots.  

With a family filling up with boys, I have a hunch that this isn't my last baseball game.  

Such fun!