Father Doesn't Always Know Best

Sam loves to read and has been sounding out words for a while now. He is especially good at three-letter words.

Here's a little conversation Sam had with his Dad tonight while building with Tinker Toys.




Sam: Dad, I want to build this. What is it called?
Dad: That's an airplane.
Sam: (Sounding it out) J...ET. Dad, that not an airplane, it's a jet!

Dad stands corrected!

The Perfect Christmas Card Photo....Not

Trying to get a picture of the boys for our annual Christmas card is proving to be quite a challenge. Nobody wants to sit still!

When the camera comes out -- they get crazy. We have dozens and dozens of shots that won't be making the cut.

Just so you have a little perspective when you receive our Christmas card -- this is what we have to work with:

And this...


And this...

So when you receive our Christmas card and wonder -- is that the best picture they have of their children?

Yes. Yes it is.

O Christmas Tree!

It was time for our annual trek to Thornton's Treeland to pick out our Christmas tree! Sam has so much fun there -- feeding the animals, playing hide and seek in the trees. I'm sure Zak will feel the same way when he's a little older.

The tree farm is right across the street from our church, so every week Sam makes a comment about going to pick out our Christmas tree. He says, "Our tree is in there somewhere. Let's not get the same one we did last year!"

Sam is excited about decorating the tree this year. Matthew will work on getting the lights on it this afternoon and then we'll start decorating when Sam get's home from preschool tomorrow.

It was a fun day!

Sam and Zak were ready to hunt for the perfect tree.

Sam thought this would be a great tree for us.
Unfortunately we do not have 20 foot ceilings.

Is he not the cutest thing you've ever seen?

The boys with our tree!

The goats were very greedy eaters!

The donkey was so sweet.

A new tradition was born today -- a stop at Krispy Kreme for doughnuts and hot chocolate!

Zak ate his first doughnut. he liked to eat it,
but he didn't want to touch it.

Sam just loves sprinkles!

Our Little Climber

I wish I had a picture of him from the day I found him standing on the table. But being a responsible parent, I grabbed Zak instead of my camera!

I'm already having nightmares about Zak and the Christmas tree!

Thanksgiving Family Fun

This last weekend we headed south to Matthew's parents' house for Thanksgiving weekend. We had a great time spending time with family. The time always goes by too quick!

Nancy always makes something special -- this year
it was leaves with our names on them!

The kids played pin the hat on the turkey.

Zak opted not to use the blindfold.

A few of the players.

Sam hanging out at the park!

Caleb and Sam!

Trying to get a picture of the five
grandkids was like herding cats!

Joanna and Zak had fun spinning around in the chair.

Crazy cousins!

Sam hanging out in Uncle Vlad's room!

The kids "helped" Nana by talking ALL the Christmas
lights out of the boxes -- without being asked!
There were a lot of lights.

Zak was a big help too!

The kids also "helped" Nana by decorating the tree!

Best of all -- spending time with
Grandpa and Nana and all the cousins!

Peek!

Sam's Feast Day

Today was the Thanksgiving Feast with Sam's preschool class. Matthew was able to go in late to work, so everybody was able to attend!

It started with a short program, involving songs about turkeys, jokes about turkeys and a Thanksgiving prayer -- Sam said the "Amen" -- he was very good! We then had a Thanksgiving potluck. The kids had a great time together.

Tragically, I accidentally deleted the cute video of the kids singing "I'm A Little Turkey" -- but Sam recreated it for me tonight.

Enjoy!

The kids in their Indian and Pilgrim
headbands -- Sam was an Indian.

Enjoying their Thanksgiving lunch!

Sam's solo of "I'm A Little Turkey"