christmas season

This Christmas and New Year's was joyfully spent with family and included visiting a critter barn, sledding, and opening presents.

white elephant

We attended a Christmas party last night and enjoyed exchanging white elephant presents. Trevor's reaction to his present reminded us of the adage: "one man's junk is another man's treasure." We never could've guessed that a kitsch, fiber optic light would provide him so much joy.

teeth cleaning

Joel's two bottom teeth are in the process of coming up so he chews on everything. Trevor loves to mimic anything we do, so, anytime I clean, he needs to clean too.

advent

Trevor enjoyed the lit purple candle on the Advent wreath signifying the first Sunday in Advent (December 2nd).

gobble gobble

Oma, Papa, and Uncle Bud joined us for Thanksgiving. In addition to the requisite feast, the boys enjoyed reading books, playing trains, playing dominos, and eating out (which we avoid when it is just the four of us -- but Papa has the magic touch in keeping the boys calm and occupied.) Uncle Bud (Trevor finally mastered the pronunciation) found an optimal configuration for the train tracks, but Trevor keeps "fixing" them.

etch-a-sketch gang

The boys and P-ster gather round the etch-a-sketch and admire Todd's lovely drawing. Joel is now very fascinated by Penny and grabs her fur when she nears. Trevor likes to give Penny "hugs" (more a wrestling pin than a light embrace). Between the two boys, Penny doesn't stand a chance at a peaceful existence.

flips

When Trevor says "leaves" it comes out "flips." He enjoyed raking the "flips" and putting them in the cart. Joel was content to look on and take in the fresh air.

bubbles

not by the bubbles on my chinny chin chin...

happy halloween!

For Halloween, Trevor dressed as a dog and Joel as a pumpkin. Trevor was shy at first with trick-or-treating but eventually it went something like this....

Trevor approaches house and says "Hello?"
Todd rings the door bell and prods Trevor to say Happy Halloween and thank-you

Trevor is mute but willingly accepts candy

People go in house

Trevor says "Bye!"

Trevor turns to us and says "Mo Candy?"

Trevor runs to the next house

yogi master

I walked into the living room and found Trevor unfolding the mat and doing this move....apparantly, he has been watching Todd do yoga.

steelers fan

Trevor is admiring his new Pittsburgh Steeler's tracksuit and showing it to Daddy. He is also practicing numbers by counting the ladybugs in his new book. Meanwhile, Joel looks on and dreams of his future birthday presents.

mmm...?

Joel tried solids for the first time (rice cereal) but doesn't know what to make of the taste. Check out the video on the silver screen.

happy birthday!

We went to Michigan to celebrate Trevor's 2nd birthday with a "Thomas the Train" party (Erin and Adam also celebrated their 25th and 22nd birthdays - the theme was really for them.) Trevor wore his conductor hat and special ribbon while opening a wooden "choo choo" set and eating his special train cake. Other highlights of the trip included picking apples at Crane's Orchard and seeing a sunset on Lake Michigan.

traffic jam

Here is Trevor creating a traffic jam - one of his favorite activities. Perhaps, he will be the engineer to help Aunt Erin by fixing L.A.'s freeways.

spaghetti

Trevor enjoys eating "noodles."

rubba-dub-dub

Joel's smiling in the tub!

vacation

We've returned from a week of vacation with the Nelson family. The entire clan stayed at a cottage in Nashville, Indiana. Despite the heat wave, we checked out the town, went to the Brown County State Park, took-in a butterfly garden, and "judged" the 4-H animals at the fairground. Trevor had fun playing with his Grandpa, Grandma, Aunts, and Uncles. Joel was his smiley self, and he enjoyed looking at his toy butterfly. Here are some pics of: "special" Joel, Trevor playing piano with Tara and Troy, Trevor donning shades at the butterfly garden, and Trevor with "happy hands" at the fairground.

horse

Talking to a horse all day can be exhausting so Joel needed some R & R.