Special Visitors

Poppy and Grammie arrived this last weekend for a fun-filled visit!

A round of Old-Maid...

Bowling...

It was Zak's first time...

Sam's an old pro...

Cheering on Matthew...

Zak's favorite part was putting
his head on the hand dryer...

Out for dinner with sundaes for dessert...

The bowling scores were slightly pitiful, but it was so fun we're going to go back and try it again!

We love having Poppy and Grammie visit and it went by too quickly -- Zak burst into tears after they left. We know they'll be back again!

Back In Business!

After a crazy January -- we are back!

We started out taking it easy after a busy Christmas season, but then Sam got pneumonia and that really knocked us out -- especially Sam! Thankfully he is fully recovered, back to school, building Lego houses and playing at the park.

Here is the saddest, sweetest picture you've ever seen:


Sam was talking to Matthew at work and during their conversation Matthew had to go on a call. When that happens, it's a quick, "Got a run, bye". We know he'll call back when he can -- but Zak didn't understand! He was devastated that he didn't get to talk to Matthew and just burst into uncontrollable tears. Sweet Sam gave him hug and tried to comfort him.

Sweet little friends!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Big changes happening at our house! It was a an exciting day when Matthew took the front off of Zak's crib -- now he is in a toddler bed.

We did this with great apprehension. When we moved Sam into a toddler bed we told him that he couldn't get out of bed until Mom or Dad came in to get him. Being our perfect, firstborn -- it was six months until he ventured out on his own! It was quite unlikely that this would happen with Zak -- he has a mind of his own! We were sure he would be roaming all over the house and it would be a real struggle.


Nothing could be further from the truth! He has done so great -- he's never gotten out of bed. I even think he's sleeping better.

Next on the big boy agenda is potty training -- and Zak is not interested at all!

I think I have my work cut out for me on this one.

Christmas - Part II

Christmas Day we headed to Jacksonville to celebrate Christmas with ALL the Jensens!

We're so fortunate that the whole family has been together three times this year! We love that the kids have seen their cousins so much.

All the kids!

Sam and Caleb.

Watching the Christmas program with Zarina!

Nana made puppets and told
the Christmas story -- it was great!

Every meal we marveled at how
the kids got the big table!

Crazy kids!

Obviously, they can't help it!

Lots of fun was had -- we sure wish everybody lived a little closer!

Christmas Morning

We arrived home on Christmas Eve just in time to have a quick dinner, change into jammies and put out some cookies for Santa.

When we first hung the boys' stockings, Sam was very concerned that we didn't have a chimney -- how would Santa get in our house? Google to the rescue! We found a little poem about people who don't have a chimney and how Santa can still get in their house. Just leave any key on your porch for Santa and he will magically be able to use it! Perfect!

Of course, I thought we should have a special key for the occasion, so I asked Matthew to pick up a blank key while he was at work. Before he would hand over the key, he let me know that the choices were rather slim -- Disney princess, skull and cross bones and the one he chose. It had Christmas colors. Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a green key with ladybugs! We're going to use it again next year. :)

We saved a few present for Sam and Zak to open at home in addition to their stockings. At our house, Santa only brings presents that will fit in your Christmas stocking -- and he did a great job! The boys loved their books and toothbrushes and Hot Wheels. Santa even managed to find the same dart guns the boys had so much fun playing with this summer at our rental house in Jacksonville!

Sam signed the poem for Santa.

Excited about the mystery Hot Wheels car!

Zak and his gun that shoots spinning darts.

Zak opening his new Lego Barn!

Sam helped him put it all together.

It was nice to sleep in our own beds and have a quiet Christmas morning at home before we headed off to the Jensens for our next round of Christmas!

Christmas - Part I

We had an early Christmas with Poppy, Grammie and Uncle Barry. Lots of good food, relaxing and family time!

Sam giving Zak a hand with one of his gifts.

Trying out the new Lego headlamp from Uncle Barry!

Uncle Barry made the boys the
nicest banks -- they love them!

Sam put together one of his new Lego sets!

Kerplunk was a favorite new game!

Zak loves his new train set!

We got together with all the cousins for Christmas!

Ava, Sydney and Sam were ready to open presents!

We had such a fun time at Poppy and Grammie's house!

Snowflake Lane

It was our 2nd annual trip to Snowflake lane with the cousins -- although we were missing three of them due to the flu. We can't wait until next year when we can all go together!

We had great plans -- to do it just like last year. Play on the toys at Bellevue Square, head down to Red Robin for dinner and then grab a great spot on the sidewalk to watch the drummers.

It did not go as planned. After waiting for over an hour and a half at Red Robin (original estimate was 45 minutes to an hour), we finally bailed and went and stood in line at McDonald's so the starving children could eat. They were pretty patient during all that waiting!

Hungry kids waiting to be fed!

We didn't have time to eat
inside -- so we had a picnic on the street.
And then it started to sprinkle!

Taking it all in!

We have a new plan for next year. Dinner first -- and early! We were glad it didn't work out the way we planned -- we were able to tell the cousins who were sick that they didn't miss much!

Although, it is a fun memory.