Christmas 2009

We had a very merry Christmas this year visiting family and celebrating Jesus' birth. Here are a few snapshots of our week.

Papa V and Grandma V

Christmas Day dinner with cousins: Caleb, Dawson, and Jamie.

Christmas Eve

Gramps and Gram with the grandkids.

The Grinch on Gram's knee.

Santa stopped by to deliver some books.

2 year olds have interesting ways of showing they care.

Untle Turt and Aunt Trisha with Daniel (who continues to bear a striking resemblance to his brother a while back)

Daniel spending some time with baby Jesus.

The age difference: Nathan intently trying to understand life in the "olden days" (the book I'm reading) and Daniel thinking the colored Christmas lights taped to Nathan's wall are much more interesting.

This wholesome toy shows a lot of promise and has already provided lots of fun for mom and dad, inspiring quotes as hilarious as "I want Daniel to stop pounding my balls." Come on, Daniel...

We went to our friend's house for dinner the other night. While we were there, Ethan and Caleb taught Nathan how to put out a fire with a gun. Nathan was so excited to be one of the big boys rescuing the world.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the past few weeks:

Our Thanksgiving feast

Elise's b-day bonfire

Nathan's new favorite game: hi ho cherry-o

Movies and snacks: my secret combo that prevents hitting when they are close to each other.

Quotes of the Day

Every parent soon realizes that many words and phrases that you hear come out of your child's mouth have most likely come out of your own mouth recently. For example, Nathan will often say, "I'm frustrated about ____"..... a phrase I know I've said to him a time or two. But today he came up with some originals that I am not taking credit for.

#1. "It is adorable when Daniel fusses" (WHAT??? and I've never used the word "adorable")

#2. (at bedtime)
"Dear God,
I'm already in bed.
Thank you for applesauce.
Please help Daniel not to hit me.
In Jesus' name Amen."

Go #991!

My brother ran a marathon here on Saturday and did a great job. It was his first marathon and he finished under 4 hours. Here he is at 26.2 miles....and still smiling.

Tigger, Beware

Today's conversation at lunch should cause some concern for Tigger.

Nathan: "Tigger's body looks yum".
Me: "What does that mean?"
N: "Tigger's body looks good to eat"
M: "She looks kinda hairy to eat"
N: "Tigger has hairy legs"
M: "Yes".
N: "Does that mean we can't eat Tigger?"

(my secret response was "NO")

Snacks

If you know Daniel, you know just how much he loves his "na".....snacks. I'm a stingy mom in the snack department, but Daniel is happy to help himself to snacks at the cat food buffet that is right by the toilet.

In case you think I only try to take pictures of Daniel, here's our photogenic first born in response to my attempts.

Happy Halloween

from a green dragon and a little green monster

Visiting the Zoo Boo in the rain.

We are forever indebted to the inventor of the double stroller.

Daddy's Helper

Nathan figured out how to climb the fence around the pond so now he can "help" a lot more.

Daddy's Helper #2

Cleaning out the garden by eating the rotten veggies that are left.

Our new Titty

We have a new "titty" named Tigger. You can see her by Nathan's knee in this picture. I thought the cat could be a distraction for Daniel so that he doesn't have to entertain himself all day by annoying Nathan.

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't.

Arashi beach. We snorkeled here this morning.

This guy was hanging out by the bar at the Mariott.