In The Parent'hood

Kansas, Part 2: Gardner & Kansas City

2011-06-27T16:36:00.002-04:00

For the second half of our Kansas trip, we packed up and headed to Kate and Joel's in Gardner, just outside of Kansas City. Besides just having a great time hanging out, we headed to Deana Rose petting zoo, saw dragon boat races at the plaza, and played in the fountains at Crowne Center!

Deana Rose petting zoo:

Chillin' in the pool:

General hanging out and mayhem:

The Plaza: dragon boat races--

then a pit stop at Starbucks with Molly.

And on to Crowne Plaza for fountain play...

... and lunch with Abby and her boyfriend.

LEGOS!!!! Uncle Joel got out his huge bin of legos... Phin was in heaven.

Nature walk right outside their back door.

More legos: there could not have been a happier boy! :)

Then home again, home again.

Kansas, Part 1: Newton

2011-06-27T07:57:00.000-04:00

In June, we headed out to Kansas to visit Caleb's sister and brother and their families. We had a wonderful time, and it was so cool to see all the cousins hanging out together. Almost made me want to move to Kansas... almost.

On the road.

The first half of the trip we spent in Newton where Caleb's sister and her family live. We did lots of relaxing and playing in their big backyard...

arts and crafts

taking a bike ride/ nature walk

This photo was taken on our way to the waterpark, which we have no pictures of 'cause we didn't take the camera in. But trust me, it was a BLAST!

All our little superheroes. Caleb and the kids

made masks!

watching Maddox play baseball

Trip to York! (June 1-3)

2011-06-03T21:40:00.002-04:00

My kids are superheroes!

2011-05-30T20:56:00.000-04:00

Phin's last day of preschool (ever)

2011-05-27T20:52:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T20:40:00.000-04:00

Easter Egg-stravaganza

2011-04-24T21:09:00.001-04:00

We have been doing our Heasley family Easter dinner and festivities on the day before Easter for the last few years. (Easter Sunday gets pretty long, what with sunrise service and breakfast and then normal worship). So, on Saturday, we headed over to Great Grandma Jane's for Easter dinner and an Easter egg hunt! The weather cooperated just when we needed it to!

Silas's new rain boots.

The "peanut gallery." :)

Mirror image.

"Silas, you're not looking. Look UP."

"Yep, see, it has 'S' on it."

This is the 'butt' picture. How many can you count?

Daddy and Silas snuggle.

Grandpa Rick's birthday also happened to fall on Easter this year, so we celebrated that, too!

Here are the boys helping blow out the candles on the peanut butter- caramel filled brownies with ice cream sundaes on top!

Mommy and Phin snuggles.

Does this mean it's spring?

2011-04-10T20:27:00.001-04:00

The weather has been crazy so far this spring, but we lucked out and had a beautiful, sunny, warm Sunday while Caleb's folks were in Pittsburgh for Phin's birthday, so we headed to North Park for some outdoor fun with friends:

Picnicking...

Playing...

Sliding...

Swinging...

Bike riding...

and Exploring...

Then a mini-photo shoot with the g-rents.

One child was more cooperative than the other--

Can you guess which one? ;)

Rise of the Fifth

2011-04-09T19:26:00.001-04:00

We celebrated Phin's 5th birthday with a Star Wars party. Phin has been planning this party since last year when Mommy didn't anticipate his Star Wars infatuation and planned a shark party instead. Oops! Caleb asked Phin what kind of cake he wanted, and, of course, he asked for the most complicated character-- General Grievous. As usual, Caleb rose to the challenge and created an amazing cake!

The big birthday boy with the favors and

the lightsabers for "pin the lightsaber on the Jedi."

"Ok, Dad, just take the picture already."

Opening presents

Can you tell how excited Phin is about

his new bike?

Playing "pin the lightsaber on the Jedi" with

Mei, Annabelle, and Silas.

Blowing out candles with an assist from Silas.

Reading with Grandma Vivian and Annabelle.

Silas taking a go at the new bike.

Building legos with Grandma Vivian.

We had a great time with family and friends! Can't believe Phin is five already and headed to kindergarten in the fall!

Is it spring yet?

2011-03-20T13:20:00.006-04:00

These past few days we had the chance to enjoy some warm, sunny weather. So we tried to take advantage as best we could with trips to the playground and outdoor fun!

Window crayons

Heading up to Frick Park

O'block playground (Boyce Park)

McDonald's picnic on the front stoop, chalk, and bubbles...

York in Winter

2011-02-01T20:38:00.001-05:00

It's been way too long since I've posted. We've had lots of snow and football in the intervening month. Phin and Silas are getting infinitely bigger, and I'm struggling with the thought of sending Phin to kindergarten next year. Yikes! Phin loves his LEGOS more each day, it seems, and Silas is totally into dressing up. We have had many epic light saber battles as well.

Here are a few pictures from our visit to York to see Grandma Vivian and Grandpa Duane at the end of January.

Making a gingerbread house.

Some crazy dress-up with Grandma.

And lots of playing in the snow!

We built an awesome snow fort.

And Phin's first try at Jenga...

It was a super fun weekend... and since it's already March as I write this, it's already time to start planning Phin's birthday party!

Monsters, snow, and playdough

2011-01-11T20:58:00.006-05:00

SNOW!

Silas playing with his playdoh movie snacks set.

Thanks, Uncle Denny and Aunt Karen!

Phin working on his

"No monsters allowed" sign.

It's now hanging on the door to the boys' room.

Caleb drew the monster.

Phin and LEGOS: a match made in heaven

2011-01-03T21:45:00.000-05:00

Not sure what he's building here, but he's following the instructions

(he calls them "constructions") intently.

I think this is General Grievous's ship.

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Sawyer!

He built the droid factory from one of the Star Wars movies.

Random fun and snuggles

2011-01-02T22:23:00.000-05:00

Cool cookies we made using Phin's new

Star Wars cookie cutter (and my first

attempt at Royal icing. The verdict? Royal icing doesn't

taste good enough to bother with.)

Phin dressed as Indiana Jones.

Watching TV: probably either

Diego or Backyardigans.

Phin as General Grievous.

We've had lots of epic light saber battles

with all Phin's new electronic lights and sounds

light sabers!

New Years

2011-01-01T22:39:00.005-05:00

New Years' Eve brought another visit from Great Aunt Nancy, and we all spent the night at Grandma Jane's.

New Years' Day, Phin reading with Great Aunt Nancy.
Great cousin Miriam and Donnie came up, and we had Christmas #3!

Winter (?) at the Zoo

2010-12-31T21:37:00.000-05:00

Since we had free passes that were going to expire and it was supposed to be unseasonably warm, we headed to the zoo on New Years' Eve.

Christmas #2

2010-12-30T22:31:00.000-05:00

Grandma and Grandpa Sawyer stopped in Pittsburgh on their way home from Colorado to have Christmas with us!

"Christmastime, not Christmas day."

2010-12-28T21:54:00.002-05:00

I spent a lot of time this holiday season explaining that we got to do a lot of fun stuff because it was Christmastime, but not necessarily Christmas day. So this was a theme for us. Here's some cool stuff we did because it was Christmastime, but not Christmas day.

Early December: decorating the tree with

Grandma and Grandpa Heasley.

They got the boys a battery operated Polar Express

train to go under our tree!

December 18: cookie day with Bovards!

Max and Phin (especially Max) were champion

cookie decorators this year!

December 23: making a gingerbread house

at Great Grandma Jane's.

December 27: checking out the train display with

Great Aunt Nancy and Great cousin Willie.

Children's Museum

2010-12-28T21:49:00.001-05:00

We spent a family day at the Children's Museum!

To the art room first. This is where Phineas (and Caleb)

spends most of his time.

Making parachutes and then sending them up the wind tunnel

to see if they fly!

Mayday, mayday!

Spotty- sitting

2010-12-26T22:35:00.001-05:00

Over the holiday, we pet-sat for Phin's friend Mei's fish and tortoise, Spotty! The boys loved it, especially Silas. They both liked to help with the feedings each morning.

Christmas: Eve and Day

2010-12-25T22:10:00.006-05:00

Christmas Eve, we spent the day at Grandma Jane's. Uncle Todd and Aunt Brenna had come in from Philly that morning. That evening at home, the boys opened their Christmas Eve present (we get them new jammies each year to open on Christmas Eve), we drank hot cocoa and put out milk and cookies for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer.

We woke up on Christmas morning to the most beautiful, unexpected white Christmas!

We had Christmas morning at our house for the first time since Caleb and I were married! It was really special. Grandma and Grandpa Heasley, Great Grandma Jane, and Uncle Todd and Aunt Brenna braved the snow to come over and celebrate with us!

Phin opened this one, and then basically didn't open anything else

until he and Uncle Todd had it put together!

The cool wrapping paper roll of pictures Phin drew for Caleb.

After naps, we headed over to Grandma Jane's for Christmas dinner!

A Smattering

2010-12-12T19:45:00.005-05:00

I started this blog post about two weeks ago, saved it as a draft and never finished it. I am finally getting to it. This is a random selection of photos from November and December to be followed by another post about Thanksgiving, which I will hopefully get done before Christmas! :)

This is what usually happens now when mommy watches

TV in the evening.

Phineas made this LEGO

General Grievous.

At A. Karen's baby shower, playing on their iphones.

Caleb and I had the great pleasure of going to

Heinz Field for a Steelers' game on an

unseasonably warm Sunday in Nov.

And we won!

Thanksgiving program at Phin's preschool.

Clay ornaments that Caleb and Phin made

(mostly Caleb). ;)

Decorating our tree and playing with the

Polar Express "electric" train that Grandma

and Grandpa Heasley got for the boys!

Phineas dressed as Indiana Jones.

Short round and Indiana Jones. :)

This is the kind of thing I come home from work to all the time.

Does my heart good!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-27T19:15:00.000-05:00

Finally getting my post up from our Thanksgiving in York. It was a wonderful weekend!

Silas helped Grandma decorate a little

tree in the basement.

Phin had brought his pilgrim and Indian hats

from preschool, so Grandma made Silas an

Indian hat, too!

And she made them each a bow and arrow.

Phineas had a blast playing Battleship with anyone

who would play with him.

And Silas made a new friend when Candy

let him play on her iphone! :)

We went bowling, too, and maybe I'll get some of those pictures posted eventually! :)

Phin's Lego Creations

2010-11-07T19:22:00.004-05:00

These are just a few of the things Phin has created with Legos in the last month or so.

Death Star

Two Face, one of the villains from Batman

A zippleback, one of the types of dragon from

"How to Train Your Dragon"

Halloween

2010-10-31T19:33:00.001-04:00

Our Halloween week started out with two sick kids, but they made a quick recovery, and we were able to enjoy some great Halloween festivities.

Thursday we headed to our local library for their annual

Halloween parade and party.

Friday afternoon was Phin's class Halloween party at preschool.

He wore his pirate costume from last year

since he wasn't allowed to wear his Darth Vader mask

or bring his light saber to school.

Friday evening Grandma and Grandpa Sawyer came to town.

Phin and Grandma (and Mommy) made this spooky

cookie house.

We finally got to carving the pumpkins after church on Halloween.

Daddy pretty much did it by himself because neither of the boys were too into it.

Darth... striking a pose.

Ready to head out for trick-or-treating

Think Silas is excited? :)

Fun Fall Day

2010-10-24T18:57:00.001-04:00

Pumpkin Farm

2010-10-16T18:51:00.000-04:00

We headed out on a beautiful Saturday to find some pumpkins. Phin had already picked a couple out with his Grandpa a week or so before, but we figured it would make a nice family outing and give Silas a chance to pick his pumpkin.

Boys and the Big City

2010-10-10T10:31:00.002-04:00

This past weekend, Caleb took Phin to New York City for the Comic Con. First they dropped Silas off at Grandma and Grandpa's in York, then they visited with Todd and Brenna in Philly. Sunday morning they got up and headed for NY. After the convention, they did what any red-blooded American boys would do in NYC-- went SHOPPING! :)

At the convention, Phin got some original artwork

(and even drew his own to give to the artist!)

With his new Lego Star Wars book!

Rockefeller Center

THE LEGO STORE

Loose on the streets of NYC!

(I love the action in these shots.)

Central Park

(aka free at last)!

The Apple Store

FAO Schwarz

More legos!

Phin w/ Chewbacca

Heading home!

Silas's Super Second!

2010-10-02T20:03:00.006-04:00

We celebrated Silas's second birthday with a fun Superman party for family and a few friends. It was a smaller affair this year, but still super fun! As usual, Caleb made a superb cake, and we had lots of great food and fun! Great Grandma Jane's is such a perfect place to have a party, and we had a beautiful, warm fall day and were able to enjoy the porch! For the second year in a row, we had Great Grandma Vollbracht with us from Colorado for Silas's birthday.

Aunt Nancy brought all sorts of cool superman stuff,

including these costumes that she stuffed with pillows.

Bonus: the two costumes fit Phin and Silas (see below).

CAKE!

Silas liked blowing out the candles so much that

we had to put them in his piece and light them again!

Opening presents.

Silas took this picture of Gr. Gr. Vollbracht

all by himself!

Super Phin! :)

Silas's first haircut!

2010-09-12T20:47:00.002-04:00

Before:

After:

Uncle Todd and Aunt Brenna visit

2010-09-06T15:57:00.001-04:00

Labor Day weekend, Uncle Todd and Aunt Brenna (and Indiana) came to visit. We had two awesome days of fun at Great Grandma Jane's!

Ping-pong

Aunt Brenna doing double dinner duty (that's Silas's corn in her hand)...

and handling it like a pro!

Building marble works with Grandma Ginny.

More ping-pong.

Tickle time with Grandpa Rick.

Uncle Todd built the boys an awesome fort

on Grandma's porch!

Blowing bubbles with Aunt Brenna.

Getting pulled in the wagon that Phin got from

Uncle Denny and Aunt Karen for his first birthday!

Pretty sure it wasn't meant to hold kids, but...

Phin "golfing."

Ist Day of Preschool Redux

2010-09-01T15:50:00.001-04:00

Phin started his second year of preschool at the beginning of September. He is going half-day, three afternoons a week. So far, it has been a mixed response: He says he doesn't want to go and doesn't like it there, but he always has fun once he's there. Hopefully he'll get used to it...

Lake Daycation

2010-08-21T15:23:00.001-04:00

I took a Saturday off from work, and we headed to Deep Creek, Maryland with my parents for a day at the "beach." It was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day, and we had a LOVELY time!

Beautiful Boys

2010-08-04T19:00:00.002-04:00

...blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Phineas Benjamin, 4 years

This little guy is ALWAYS drawing, painting, coloring.

He IS an artist like his daddy!

Silas Henry, 22 months

Our "baby" is speaking in sentences, loves the pool,

and is a total people person!

With these two guys in my life, I couldn't ask for anything more!

Summertime, and the livin' is...

2010-08-04T18:25:00.011-04:00

... well, not exactly easy, since I'm working two jobs now, but definitely great!

Two sleepovers at Great Grandma Jane's house!

Our goofy Phineas...

Leaving Aunt Katie a message.

Dinner and playtime at our friends' new house.

I'm thinking he LOVES nutella like his mommy! :)

Growing things...

Beautiful apple pie Caleb made from apples off the tree in front of our house!

It was delicious!

Our "little" Silas

2010-07-13T14:03:00.003-04:00

Can't believe our baby will soon be 2 years old. He decided last week to be a "terrible 2," but I guess the bad come with the good, right? He loves buttons, electronics, and gadgets, and loves to get into all kinds of trouble because of it. Wonder where he got that from?

Randoms

2010-07-13T13:45:00.005-04:00

These are a few random photos from the last few months that I took with my phone.

Fun with dear friends

on the carousel at Schenley Plaza

Phineas at the Pittsburgh Zoo.

(This was the photo op spot of choice when I was a child--

ant hill or dung heap-- you decide.)

Silas noshing on some watermelon.

At "our" park with more dear friends.

Science Center

Phin with C3PO (or 3PPO, as he calls him).

Phin at swim lessons.

Beach Day at Preschool

2010-07-13T13:40:00.003-04:00

These pictures are actually from May 27th, but I'm just now getting them downloaded from my phone. On Beach Day, the kids got to wear their bathing suits, sunglasses, etc and play in the hose and eat popsicles. We just happened to be early for pick-up that day and saw them playing in the yard-- so I got pictures and Silas got a popsicle!

Full House

2010-06-07T19:06:00.001-04:00

The first weekend in June, we had Caleb's family visit from Kansas, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Sawyer from York, PA. It was a FULL HOUSE-- 7 extra people stayed at our house. So much fun was had. This is only a smattering of pics from the weekend.

Intense video gaming (Uncle Joel brought his Wii all the way from KS).

And the eyes have it...

Cucumber Falls

Kids' table

Yum!!!!

Bathtime!

On the last night, Uncle Joel did a rousing dramatic reading of

"The Fox and the Hound."

If you know Joel, you know it was hysterical.

Phin's last day of his first year of preschool

2010-06-03T19:41:00.004-04:00

Planting

2010-05-20T18:57:00.003-04:00

Since most of the spots where I plant flowers are shady, I was craving some sunny space to plant. So Phin helped me build this little bed at the side of our house, fill it with dirt, and plant some zinnias. He was quite the little builder!

** programming note: I just realized I have no pictures that show the flowers. I'll take one tonight while I'm weeding and post it soon.

She Runs Away

2010-05-16T08:34:00.003-04:00

Here are a few more shots from a run last month. The North Shore trail is quickly becoming my favorite place to run. Silas was my running buddy on this particular evening.

Pittsburgh Half Marathon

2010-05-02T17:40:00.006-04:00

On Sunday, I completed the Pittsburgh Half Marathon. I finished with a PR, but it was even more special because, despite the rainy morning, Caleb brought the boys down to cheer for me. So in the last mile, I was able to stop and give them each (all 3 of them) a kiss before finishing!

They both cheered the runners with these cow bells

(which went in the trash as soon as we got home!).

"Why did Mommy run away?"

We didn't get a picture of me with my finisher's medal, but here's one of Silas

modeling it for me, and he's infinitely cuter.

"You mean this isn't mine?"

Celebrating

2010-05-01T17:22:00.001-04:00

This past Saturday, we celebrated my Dad's birthday. We had a blast at Great Grandma Jane's, and really enjoyed the gorgeous weather. I think some of the photos from this day are my favorites of our boys so far. And I think they will be great to look back at some day and remember these times together!

Spring Hodge-podge

2010-04-27T14:06:00.000-04:00

A very miscellaneous smattering of photos from the last couple weeks. We've really been enjoying the lovely weather!

Putting together the lego helicopter he got for his birthday

from U. Joel, A. Kate, Blake, and baby!

Phin is a very prolific artist. This is an AT-AT (or as Phin calls them, "walker things")

from Star Wars ("the snow one"). There is a ship shooting at it,

and one crashed on the ground.

Small garden that Caleb and Phin started.

Phineas's 4th Birthday Party

2010-04-17T13:54:00.004-04:00

Phin turns 4!

2010-04-14T13:42:00.002-04:00

Our big boy is now four! I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. These are some shots of him opening a few gifts on his birthday.

He is quite the lego man these days.

Phin and Caleb got the same shirt (different sizes) from Caleb's sister Alyssa.

So cute.

Running Fool

2010-04-11T13:37:00.000-04:00

Here are some photos from a few of my recent runs around Pittsburgh (mostly South Side and North Shore). I blame Betsey and Milla who recently encouraged me to take my iphone with me when I run. Now I'm constantly stopping to take pictures! :)

Easter Sunday @ Ohiopyle

2010-04-07T14:32:00.008-04:00

Easter Sunday, since Phin hadn't been feeling well the night before, we spared the folks at church and decided to take a drive and get some fresh air. We found a great place with a very short hike to these falls.

Celebrating Easter!

2010-04-03T14:02:00.002-04:00

On Saturday, we headed over to Great Grandma Jane's to celebrate Easter with Emily's family. It was a gorgeous day to be on the porch and outside!

Puzzling with Great Aunt Nancy.

One of Silas's favorite things right now is to "feed" people.

Two boys charging into Easter.

It was really special for Grandpa Rick to be with us.

Easter Egg Hunt!

"Photo shoot" (of sorts)...

Table set for Easter dinner.

Easter Eggs!

2010-04-02T13:52:00.004-04:00

Good Friday morning, Grandma Ginny came over to dye Easter eggs with us!

Our big boy

2010-03-31T19:24:00.003-04:00

This is Phineas Benjamin. He will be 4 years old in 15 days! Here are a few things about him:

1. He is a lover AND a fighter. He does all things, good or bad, with zeal and abandon. He is strong-willed and stubborn, just like me.

2. He is too smart for me and for his own good. This gets him into trouble a lot, but it's pretty awesome watching how quickly he learns, how observant he is, and how curious. He has been doing well in preschool this year even though he doesn't always want to go.
3. He is an artist at heart. He loves to "do art projects." He is certainly his father's son. He loves to draw and glue and write and build things. He also loves to break and destroy things. Go figure. :)
4. He loves to help me in the kitchen when I'm baking or making meals. I struggle being patient when he wants to do this, but it is always so much fun.
5. He loves playing on PBSkids.org and the iphone, and knows his way around both just about as well as I do.

6. He is my cuddle bug.

Our baby

2010-03-31T19:02:00.005-04:00

This is Silas Henry. He will be 18 months old tomorrow. How the time flies, exponentially faster than with the first child. Here are a few things about Silas:

1. The best word to describe him is SWEET. He has the cutest smile that he shares easily and he makes friends wherever he goes.

2. He is busy, busy, busy, and he wants to do whatever his big brother is doing, and then some.

3. He has no fear and has had bumps and bruises to prove it. The photo below was taken moments before he fell off that stool while holding that pencil and nearly bit a hole through his bottom lip. YIKES! I guess that's the price you pay for being adventurous. Phin was never like this (he is still somewhat of a fraidy-cat). So this is a whole new world for mommy.

4. Silas is a helper. He is great at cleaning up (unless he made the mess and is being asked to clean up) and LOVES to throw things in the trash can!
5. He LOVES to carry around multiple pacifiers and switches them quite often.

6. He started walking at 10 months and has never stopped. Unlike his brother, who still wants to ride in the stroller or be carried everywhere, Silas is perfectly happy when I put him down and let him walk on his own.

Spring has Sprung!

2010-03-21T18:47:00.003-04:00

And we are making the most of the outdoors.

Here's Phin and I playing on our front walk. He and I drew the train together as a team, and he drew the trestle bridge and water beneath the train all by himself.

Phineas took the picture below all by himself. Quite the artistic eye, huh?

Caleb took the boys to the park one Saturday morning, while I was at a brunch for the women in our church.

Nightsledding...

2010-03-05T17:35:00.001-05:00

"...deserves a quiet a night."

Fun in the snow with Uncle Todd and Aunt Brenna at Great Grandma Jane's house.

And, of course, what goes better with sledding than hot cocoa!

Weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Sawyer's

2010-02-21T17:10:00.001-05:00

In February, we headed to York for a weekend to visit Caleb's folks. There was still LOTS of snow on the ground.

Friday, we had a ball in G & G's huge yard!

"Look, ma, no hands!"

Saturday, we all headed to State College to help Lindsey celebrate her birthday.

I like to call this one "Silas and the Real Girl."

Sunday, we relaxed after church and then headed to Lancaster for some yummy made-to-order donuts!

May the force be with you!

2010-02-13T15:01:00.000-05:00

Saturday, we had a blast at Max's Star Wars themed 4th birthday party! Phineas loved the light sabers and foam dart guns. Silas loved the balloons.

Snowmageddon 2010

2010-02-12T14:30:00.001-05:00

Super Bowl Sunday

2010-02-07T14:56:00.000-05:00

On Super Bowl Sunday, despite the snow, the Koerbers and some other church friends, made it over to our house to watch the game. I only got a before and after shot.

Waiting for our friends to arrive

(and eagerly anticipating the game, of course).

Phineas fell asleep on Caleb in the middle of the game

with all the chaos going on around him. :)

A New Year

2010-02-03T15:09:00.005-05:00

This is just a smattering of photos from the beginning of 2010. Hard to believe it's February already!

Holy crap! How much does the photo of Silas below look like the most recent photos Joel posted of Blake???!!!

At the Natural History Museum with Daddy.

Phin is becoming quite the artist. His teacher told us drawing and painting are his favorite things to do at school. Wonder where he gets it from? :)

New Years' Eve

2009-12-31T14:56:00.001-05:00

We put Silas to bed, then ate junk food, Caleb and Phin played video games, and Phin actually managed to stay up til midnight. Though, I'm pretty sure he was disappointed when he saw the "ball drop" and we said "happy new year." You could see him thinking, "That's it??!!!" :)

Christmas at the Shore

2009-12-29T14:49:00.003-05:00

Two days after Christmas, we headed to OC, New Jersey to celebrate Christmas with G&G Sawyer and Aunt Sandra. We had a blast, though the weather was so cold, we didn't get to spend as much time on the boardwalk/ beach as we had hoped. Here's a look at some of the fun:

"Let's put that on my Christmas list."

2009-12-25T14:20:00.005-05:00

We spent Christmas this year in Pittsburgh. We were lucky enough to have Katie and Sam, and Todd and Brenna with us. My dad was not around sadly, as he had to have emergency surgery because of an infection in his knee. So he was in the hospital for Christmas, and that was a bummer. But fun was had by all anyway. Phin's mantra was, anytime he saw anything cool, 'Let's put that on my Christmas list." And of course he expected to get everything that was on his list.

Cookie day at Bovard's (Dec. 23rd)

Our biggest news this Christmas, is that, 2 days before Christmas, we finally got to move into our third floor bedrooms! Woo-hoo! Our lives have changed. Here's a smattering of pictures, but it doesn't do it justice, so you'll have to come see for yourselves!

The secret passage in the wall in Phin's bedroom.

Christmas Eve at Grandma Wolfe's

I'm embarrassed to say that we got NO good pictures on Christmas this year. So this is it.

Christmastime is Here!

2009-12-06T15:55:00.001-05:00

We went looking for our Christmas tree last Saturday morning IN THE SNOW (first snow we'd experienced in Pittsburgh this year- we were in WV when it snowed for the first time in PGH). It was cold, but it was fun!

"This one's ours!"

Decorating

Hot cocoa and popcorn

Caleb cleaned out the study a bit and patched the ceiling that was falling down (!) so I could decorate my "Christmas room." The tree isn't in here this year (no room because Silas's crib is in there), but it still looks nice to me.

Phin helped me hang the stockings.

These are Phin's "constructions" (that's what he calls instructions) for our Christmas decorations.

Notice the transformer in his stocking and the window he drew behind the tree! :)

Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T15:46:00.002-05:00

We spent Thanksgiving at The Lindstrom's near Parkersburg, WV this year with Caleb's folks. Thanks for all the food, fun, and hospitality. Their guest suite downstairs is so nice, I felt like we were staying in a hotel!

Silas did a lot of going up and down (and up and down and up and down) the stairs.

Thankfully, no big falls.

I did a lot of reading!

Miscellaneous

2009-11-29T13:39:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday, on a donut date before church, in a rare moment of sweetness, Phin shared without being prompted.