Snow!

While I did not attempt to take the camera out last week when we got a snow break from our balmy winter, I did find some pictures not yet posted from a snow dusting that we had last Nov.  The fall foliage in the trees makes me miss the plant life of the backyard!

Where there are boys and snow, there are instant snowball fights!

yep... they learn early in this house!

 He is ready for action...

 He is bundled for the job!

 And he has the game face!

At least he still has a smile after the obvious hits!

 I just had to capture his first experiences with this white cold stuff!

 He is pretty curious...

Kid shows

At the end of last year, we attended several school/church shows put on by the kids... Come see!

 It was Jacob's turn to shine with his Thanksgiving preschool show... he was very proud, can you tell?

 Lots of fun songs with body motions to go with them.

 he did great!

We joined Kyle at his Kindergarten thanksgiving feast...  They had a potluck representing many of the things that were from the first feast- Kyle even tried Deer meat!

The youngers enjoyed the feast too!

The 2nd graders at their school study the Ancient Greek culture and host an event called Bard's Cafe where they do poem recitations and act out the various greek gods.

 They each dress up as a character and recite a memorized report about that character. 

Josh was Hephaestus, the god of forge, fire & blacksmithing... he came alive when someone knocked on the wall 3 times.  He did a great job playing the role :). 

Jacob was featured as the Inn Keeper at the preschool Christmas Program... I just want to squeeze him!

 Kyle at his school's Christmas Music program... This show never ceases to impress me!  

 Their school is quickly growing out of their current meeting space, both boys were on the very lowest level... 

And this year we had 4 in the church Christmas Program... And this year, I got to see it because no one was sick :)!

Another one went missing...

Kyle lost his first tooth!  It was some what of a surprise as he came running into the room to tell us that he was biting a toy and his tooth popped off...  So you would assume that the tooth fairy would come that night, right?  Well somehow that fairy must have been sleeping on the job (or maybe just a little sleep deprived from taking care of a baby all night) because she didn't take the tooth until Kyle was eating breakfast.  But because of the delay, she left him a very special $2 bill.  He was very happy!

8 months

Another catch up blog... Austin at 8 months!  We had a beautiful long fall this year and could not resist piling him right on top of the leaves.  This has to be one of his chunkiest months as you will see for yourself, I just want to squeeze him!  

Exploring with his mouth.

 Something is making him smile!

Bath time fun

With the cold weather now in full swing, bath time is a place to warm up and little Austin is already bathing like a big boy.

The love that is expressed through these boys is amazing, Jacob has a gentle grip on Austin's hand so he doesn't fall over and Austin is looking at Jacob with awe.  

 He LOVES bathtime!!!

 The usual crew of bathtakers...

 Once in a while we squeeze them all in :)!

 I couldn't resist this picture!  Our one and only Chunky Monkey!

 Younger days in the bath.

 Loving it.

Austin 7 Months old

Our baby is growing up... He is really 10 months old now, but I have failed to post the previous 3 months of his growth.  As I dug these pictures up, I realize how fast he really is growing.  To me he looks so little in these pictures compared to now.  What sweet memories of sitting nicely in grass on a beautiful early fall day or blowing strawberries on his belly as we make him giggle on our bed.  

He was growing some hair and some teeth.

 Taking in all the sights and sounds of the backyard.

 Ohhh, the noises he makes :)!

 Learning all the time.

 He is defiantly a thinker.

 I asked Mike to snap some pictures of Austin and me... It is a good memory to have!

 Love that boy!

 Pew Weee!

 I'mmmmm goooooing to get you!  BOOOO!

 Everything catches his attention.

 Love bug!

 Fall morning...

 We love you Austin!