12.23.2013

Christmas Dance Recital

Melissa once again made us so very proud at her Rock'n Christmas Eve Recital. She was in a tap dance trio of three little elves dancing to "We Need a Little Christmas".
 





  
Final dance, taking a bow :)






A few new (similar) pictures supplied by a professional photographer:
 




Decorating the Christmas Tree

This year it was so special to watch the kids decorate the tree together - it was Brody's first time :) He got really into it once he figured out what was going on! 

A brief appearance of Brody wearing his Santa hat...







Melissa declaring a "Snowball fight!" with my snowball ornaments ;)

 
 
 


Home sweet home for Pepper under the tree! 
I wonder if he remembers this spot from other years?  

Melissa also enjoyed decorating the kids special fiber-optic tree...

12.17.2013

Everyday Life

Bathtime! Yes still in the kitchen sink - it's just so convenient! 
But he is starting to out-splash his welcome! 

A chilly morning at the bus stop...

Watching Madagascar 3 together. Brody was scared so they sat close ;)

A tent made from a piece of fabric Papa brought back from his recent trip to Africa (lovingly tie-died by some ladies in a small village)... 

What's more fun than a box?!? We had a long tunnel-like box which provided much entertainment value :)

Potty training efforts are under way. Brody loves to read his Thomas the Train catalog while sitting on the potty! He is very eager to talk about all the trains, and he knows a surprising amount by name :)

12.16.2013

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving Papa treated us all to a tractor ride! 
Our cute kids sitting tight waiting for the ride to start...
The best picture I could get of all the cousins together, perhaps too many distractions!
Even Pixel came along for the ride :)
All aboard!
First stop, the pumpkin patch...
"Ooooh dirty pumpkin"
Next stop was a beautiful old winter pear tree which we have been feasting from, and now could see the source and its incredible bounty, which apparently we haven't even come close to making a dent in!
Picking some more pears...
Great Grandma was also in on the action :)
Next the little grandsons took turns driving the tractor with Papa...
Brody's turn! This boy loves tractors! 
Serious business!