Christmas prelude

For the 3rd year in a row, we have visited the same Christmas tree farm in early to mid-December, chosen and chopped down our tree, and vacuumed up very stubborn pine needles from our carpet. :) This was the 2nd year that Owen has understood what we were doing, and so he remembered last year's tree and the place we go. It was really neat to see him get so excited, and he keeps asking both Shea and me, "Is Christmas the next day?" which is his way of saying tomorrow. :) As for ourselves, we keep saying, "I can't believe this is Eric's first Christmas and he is already so big!" Owen was less than 2 months old for his first Christmas, so this is quite a change for us!


















Owen has also really gotten into the idea of Santa delivering his presents, and has REALLY taken time to explain to Santa what he wants. In the several pictures preceding this one, Eric is crying almost continuously, while Owen ignores that completely and tells Santa, complete with gestures, all about the transformers he also wants for Christmas (that he forgot to tell Santa about on his first visit to another Santa a few days before this). :)

Growing up

I can't believe how fast they grow up...

I made mini-pizzas (from Costco) for Owen and myself today. I put 4 pieces onto his plate in alternating order of cheese and pepperoni slices. He started to protest that he didn't want to eat, so I pointed out how I gave him half of each kind (which he asks for a lot but I don't always do because sometimes I only make one pizza for him), and that I had put them in a pattern.

"Pepperoni, cheese, pepperoni, cheese," I said.

He grinned really big and said, "No! Cheese, pepperoni, cheese, pepperoni!" Then he laughed.

When did he get so big that he could make a joke about viewpoint like that!?! I just love him so much! :)

Eric - not walking yet

Eric isn't quite ready to walk yet, but we often find him free standing while playing with his toys, and he definitely cruises around holding on to the furniture as he plays. Here is a video of him taking a few steps closer to walking. He's growing so FAST! :\

Owen's 4th Birthday

Owen had a Blue's Clues themed birthday party this year. The above picture was take a few weeks before his party at a children's museum. What luck that they had a Thinking Chair for us to take a picture! We made a poster of this pic for decoration at the party. :)

Blue's Clues has been his latest obsession, lasting for at least the last six months now. Below are some pictures of his party. His friends were very interested in helping him open his presents this year -- that was pretty cute!

Halloween 2009

Owen and Eric were Buzz Lightyear and Woody for Halloween this year. Owen chose the costumes. :)

Brothers

This month has been pretty crazy with grading or emails to respond to every night for my students, and Halloween and Owen's birthday. I have several things I've been meaning to post, but haven't had a chance, so I'll try to catch up over the next week or two.

I finally brought the boys to get their picture taken together, and they turned out pretty good. This is one set, in their big brother/little brother shirts. Later I'll post the other picture.

Eric's 4 teeth show up pretty good in all these pictures because of the way he smiles. :) His 5th tooth also came in over this past weekend -- I can't believe how fast he is growing!