Barn Party

Our church had it's annual barn party the weekend after Halloween. It wasn't as good as last year (when Rylan won the costume contest!) and they didn't even have costumes - except for people dressed in their cowboy/cowgirl outfits! But, I put Rylan and Ava in theirs anyway. Rylan had a blast with Kendall -- who's a couple years older but he adores! And Ava just took off as usual.

Brain Mush

I try not to let the kids watch more than 2 or 3 half-hour shows per day on TV, and yest I know that Ava shouldn't be watching any. Rylan knows that too much TV will turn his brain to mush, and he usually screams for me to turn it off after his show is done. But alas, the TV as a babysitter sure does come in handy at times!

Bird Watching

Every once in a while we catch a sight of this heron or crane that likes to hang out in my parents pond, but he/she always seems to know when we are on to him, even from just a window, and takes off before we can get the camera! Luckily Chris "shot" him one Sabbath morning in November! (Click on the photo if you can't see him!)

Big Boy!

My boy is growing up! And he's so handsome! And of course, a big goofball like his dad -- today in the car I looked at him in the rearview mirror and he had a goldfish (snack) in each ear!

Sabbath School

I don't know how other parents keep their kids in their laps during Cradle Roll (unless their not walking) but mine are complete HAMS!

The $65 Train

A few weeks ago my Grandma excitedly called to tell me that she had found a whole set of Thomas trains in a collector's case at a yard sale. (Those of you who know her know, yard sales/flea markets are her THING!) Anyway, she was so proud that she had bought $150 worth of toys for $40 and she was coming over ASAP to bring it to Rylan. I told her that would be a wonderful Christmas gift but she wouldn't have it. She wanted her gift to be exclusive, without the distraction of other gifts, and wanted him to enjoy it right away! Of course Rylan was overjoyed and continues to get a lot of playtime out of the new set! After hearing the story, he tells people this is his $65 train! Ahh, inflation! Anyway, thank you Grandma!

A "Short" Visit!

On Halloween, we invited Don and Laura Short and their 3 daughters over for lunch! We had a great time making cupcakes and decorating them, playing in the playroom, chasing the cat, and Rylan and Ava made their costume debut! And Laura says now Emma and Anna may allow a certain boy to play with them!

My Birthday

Pumpkin Pickin' 09

THE MANY FACES OF RYLAN

Ava's antics

Ava reminds me so much of Rylan at her age -- very active, but even more daring! And she's turning out to be a climber! She never ever falls alseep in the car, like he did though, only in her crib. One night I found her arm wrapped around a slat! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Chris!

Backtracking to October, my mom and I prepared a delicious dinner of sushi and eggrolls for Chris' birthday and then followed it with German Chocolate cupcakes! Happy Birthday to my wonderful hubby!

Manners

For some reason Rylan likes to be alone while watching his favorite TV shows. Yesterday I walked into my room where he was watching something. "Go away, Mommy" he says. Indignant, I replied "Is that how you talk to me?" So he said "May you go away please, mommy?"

Growing Boy!

Last week one day while my mom was watching the kids, she had finally gotten a chance to make herself a sandwhich after the kids had been fed lunch. Rylan took one look at it and said, "Popo, I'll share that sandwhich with you. You know, Popo, when little boys get hungry, they NEED to eat!"

Broken Fish

One night last week my mom made trout for dinner. Rylan was watching and said,
"Popo, the fish are sad, can you put them back together?"

Dem Bones!

I couldn't resist these matching PJs for the kids! But trying to get Ava to stand or lie still next to Rylan to get a good picture was more than a challenge! As you can see, though, she adores her big brother!