Merry Christmas!

Our holiday (and the month preceding it) felt like I imagine it would feel if we rode a one-horse open sleigh all the way to Grandma's house… a bumpy whirlwind!

We have finally finished the bulk of the work on our house. Here is Ezra helping put the finishing touches on the master bedroom. Chris is quick to point out the huge size of the punch list, but I view the lack of bare plaster anywhere in the house as a huge Christmas present!

Eli and Ezra had themselves a very Merry Christmas. Our kind neighbors gave this guitar to Eli, but the boys quickly traded gifts, much to Ezra's satisfaction.

The stockings were hung on the balustrade with care….think they were excited?

Ah, Christmas morning…sausage balls and paper all over the living room and entry.

Daddy's gift of a drill was a hit will all THREE boys.

Froggy (and Duckie) umbrellas. How can you not like that?

New Photos!

We had new family photos made recently - the boys had changed a lot since our last ones. They had a great time being cute out at Pandapas Pond. The leaves really makes it seem like it is time to say: Happy Thanksgiving!

Memorial to Jim

 Some people are special in your life because they were part of your childhood and others because they have played an important role. It is a rare thing for someone to be both of these. 

Though six years older than me, Jim and I were often together as youngsters (our parents have been friends for 50 years). Then, he married Chris and I. 

I am so sad for his wife, children, and parents. 

I am so grateful that he was part of my life.

Memorial to Uncle Carey

This veteran's day our family is remembering one of our own. My Great Uncle Carey passed away over the weekend. Like my grandma, he had a certain quiet zest and humor that was wonderful. We will miss him.

Happy Halloween!

This year, Eli mentioned that he'd like to be a train for Halloween. No problem, plenty of cardboard boxes on hand I assure you! With Eli's set of  box "nails" he got for his birthday, the process was not too difficult and he helped quite a bit with the costume construction.

At our first stop of the evening "yard master" Sue helps Eli's engine "hook up" with Ezra's tinder (coal car).

And the Double "E" Express rolls.....

To say that Eli and Ezra had a good Halloween may be an understatement. They had a ball and went to several houses up and down our street. Eli remembered his manners very well and Ezra usually came up with a "dank-tu" although he was almost more interested in everyone's pets than in the candy.

In other fall news, you may know (if you have visited our friends at News from the Crib lately) that there have been a lot of monkeys in the woods of N.C. recently....they've spread to the Virginia woods as well!

Pumpkin Time

One of the best things at our house lately is how good the boys are getting at playing together. Not that there isn't a lot of fussing and disagreement, but overall they are doing pretty well. They built this together. Ezra is properly attired, of course with his worker "a-pur-ren" over his pajamas.

 

Last weekend Grandma came and helped me take the boys on what Eli calls a "purventure" while Chris worked on the house. We went to the transporation museum, lunch, and the Roanoke City Market. At the last stop they scored some nice pumpkins, which we had to carve asap before Eli drove us mad.

Eww! Yucky! says Ezra.

 Eli chose the mouth design....its a 'grumbly' mouth he says.

Ezra

While Eli is hitting milestones as a 5-year-old (he was 43 pounds and 45 inches at his check-up), Ezra is pretty busy being 2.5. Small problems are really dramatic for him right now, but most of the time he's pretty happy. He's learned to say his full name EzraWyatt (yes it is all one word), but Eli has been patiently coaching him on saying "Eli" instead of "Allie/Ollie".  Ezra has lots of words, but if you ask him what he's doing, what he did at school, or pretty much any other question, he'll tell you he's a "worker" going to a "construction site." 

He loves the water, so Chris took him out in the kayak recently. Ok at first.....

 ...and then "no thank you."

Five!

Eli turned 5 on Tuesday. We celebrated twice: a party with his classmates on Saturday and dinner with friends at home on Tuesday. Too much party-ing? Maybe for Chris and I, but not Eli (or Ezra either for that matter).

Eli chose an ocean theme - he loves the beach!

 Our friend Owen pulled the lucky (goldfish) piñata string

 Notice Ezra at the bottom of the photo? He was busy sorting out all the chocolate from the candy haul so he could promptly sit down in the grass and start eating.

 Wheels to install on a cardboard box, paper, craft sticks, and Curious George pajamas = birthday awesomeness

  David dared to get these two wound up.

And barely lived to tell the tale.

 

And the annual   now and then...

3 days

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

5

Choo-choo, Woo-Woo!

We went to West Virginia, stayed in a log cabin in the woods, and rode a steam train. Eli thought it was just about the best thing we've ever done.

 Babes in the Woods

And in their natural habitat (ie. the playground)

Why are there so many photos on this blog of our children playing in the creek fully clothed?

WV has such interesting geology - 

look at the fossilized seashell imprints in this creek rock.

 The beautiful Greenbrier River

The Durbin Rocket (yes, it is a misnomer)

Yay! Papaw and Vicki!

Cabose Cuteness

Better hurry, we're about to run out of summer!