Welcome Home!

On Monday we headed to a Demobilization Ceremony for a firefighter that Matthew has worked with for a while. He's been in Iraq for the last year and it was great to see Travis again! It was really neat to see all the men and women greeting friends and family after being away for so long. There were speeches by all kinds of important people, but trying to keep Zak entertained and quiet was a distracting job.

We met up with the Skipper family and we all sat together -- six folding chairs, four adults and six kids -- you can see why it was hard to pay attention all the time! The kids were great and thankfully there was a lot of clapping!

Then we headed to the Skippers' for dinner and the kids played so nicely together -- we can't wait to get together with them again!

Sam patiently waiting for things to get rolling.
He was a very enthusiastic flag waver.

Thank goodness for cell phones!
It kept Zak occupied during most of the ceremony.

Travis is in this group somewhere!

It was a great day -- so glad we were able to go!

Drippy Day Fun

It was drizzly and cold outside today -- but we didn't care!

Our first stop was to spend a couple of hours at Cafe Sip-n-Play. Sam and Zak had a great time playing with the kitchen, the grocery carts, the trains and the slide. Sam only had time to take a break when it involved a snack! Zak had lots of fun, except for when he forgot that I wasn't in there with him. Then he would complain for a little bit -- but then he would get distracted from his distress by another toy. It won't be long until he forgets all about me like Sam does!

After lunch and quiet time, Sam and I played a lot of games. He could play games all the time!

His current favorite is Richard Scarry's Busytown.

Next up was Green Eggs & Ham. He won.
He always wins this game!

Finally, it was a round of Uno. I beat
him -- doesn't he looked thrilled!

This afternoon we tried a movie -- Sam picked Mary Poppins. He loves it! It's a little long, so we'll wrap it up tomorrow. His favorite part was when they were cleaning up the nursery. We tried to snap our fingers and clean up the family room -- but it didn't work! Every time there was singing, Zak would stand up and start dancing.

Cheesy grins from Zak!

It was a fun rainy day!

Lunch at the Station

Yesterday we stopped by the fire station for what was to be a quick visit. The boys made their rounds to all the important places -- Dad's room, the fire engine, the treadmill, the loudspeaker.

Then we were invited to stay for lunch -- pancakes and sausage -- who can turn that down? Not Sam!

Sam looked like one of the regulars
in his fire department sweatshirt!

Sam has recently discovered the white board at the station. He's likes to leave a little artwork behind. Thankfully Zak has not figured out how to take the cap off the pen. When he figures that out -- we're in trouble!

Double trouble!

Legos, Legos, Legos

This was a Lego Christmas for Sam -- and I'm not sure who was more excited -- Sam or Matthew!

Sam learned how to "read" the directions and with a little coaching from his Dad, built the front loader all by himself.

Maybe someday he'll realize his Dad's dream of being a Lego designer!

Studying the directions to make sure he has the right part.

Proud boy with the finished product!

The Christmas Recap

This one's for the grandparents -- so many pictures!

We had a great Christmas up in Edmonds with my family. Matthew worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year, so he drove home to go to work and then came back.

Here's what our Christmas holiday looked like:

One of Zak's favorite places in Grammie's kitchen --

it's called "Zak's cupboard".
It's the one he's allowed to take everything
out of and play with -- and he knows it!

Sam opened a few of his presents
early -- Poppy got him real tools!
They were out in the garage hammering nails,
screwing screws and cutting wire.
There were no injuries, but Sam did poke
himself in the eye when he put on his safety glasses!

Sam also received the game Trouble.
A lot of Trouble was played during the week we
were there -- and Sam was a winner many times!

He also learned how to play Old Maid --
he loved to "get stuck" with the Old Maid card.

One night we met all the cousins (minus the two youngest)
for dinner and a trip down Snowflake Lane. We saw
Frosty the Snowman, penguins and all the drummers who
played along with the music out on the street.
It even snowed at the end!

Since Matthew wouldn't be there for Christmas,
we opened our presents early.
Zak was ready to go!

Zak received his very own potty -- we're
hoping he's a quick learner.
He seems pretty comfortable on there!

The number one thing on Sam's Christmas List was
the Lego crane -- he was very excited to
get this from Poppy and Grammie.

Since Matthew was out of town, it was up to the rest
of us to help with Legos. Between Poppy, me and Sam --
the road grader was built! I just had to keep reminding
myself it was for ages 5-12 -- so I should be able to do it!

All the cousins on Christmas Eve -- imagine
that Zak isn't in his pj's and matches Sam!

Sam left some cookies for Santa and wrote him a note.

In an attempt to capture the joy of Christmas
morning -- this is what I got. What I wanted
was a cute picture of the boys in their pj's with
their stockings -- but it just wasn't going to happen.

We arrived home after a fun week at Poppy and Grammie's house -- and Grandpa and Nana came for a visit.

Sam read them one of his favorite books -- Just A Mess.

Grandpa and Nana gave Sam and Zak a cool
Fire Station/Police Station for Christmas.
It's like a boy's dollhouse! It has provided
hours of entertainment for them.

We all had a great Christmas with our families!

Silent Night

The nights are not so silent anymore -- and neither are the days! That's because Poppy and Grammie gave Sam his very own harmonica!

Sam is showing a real aptitude for the harmonica -- playing Silent Night, Away In the Manager and his favorite, Jingle Bells, with gusto.

He'll be happy to play for you anytime!

Emphasis On The Sugar

Before heading out of town for Christmas, we had some friends over for dinner -- and when we were finished with dinner, it was time for Ben, Andrew and Sam to start decorating sugar cookies.

There was probably enough frosting used to frost about 10 dozen cookies -- yet they only had about 3 dozen to work with! Sprinkles and sanding sugar were everywhere and the boys had a great time.

The boys won't have to worry about sharing their cookies with anyone -- they didn't look very appetizing to anyone but them!

Ben, Sam and Andrew getting started.

Andrew with his own creation.

Sam's teeth match his shirt!