Happy Birthday, Nate

The boys gave Nate the best b/day gift. They let him sleep until 8:00 am. My present was a wake-up at 6:30 am. We were invited to a New Years party this afternoon. We knew if we wanted to go we had to wear the boys out and get them down for nap early. So, we drove to the Air and Space Museum near Dulles. It was A LOT like the Air Force Museum in Dayton. It was basically in a large hanger. We put both kids down and basically followed them around. It did the trick. They were beat! We all took a nap and headed to the party. The couple that invited us had two boys (one older and one younger than E). They ran and played and had the best time. The best news came when we found out Nate is off tomorrow. It wasn't the most exciting birthday, but after kids are they ever????
Aunt Carol noted that there were no females in my pictures from PA. This picture is for her! :) This one was my favorite from the trip. Memaw and the boys in their jammies!

Reflection

This morning, Nate asked me if I thought of the New Year as a new start. I laughed and said, "No. I look at it as half way until Summer Break." Today we spent my birthday, like we have done for the past few years, cleaning up the Christmas decorations, running errands, and buying lobsters for dinner. I guess we like to start the New Year clean. :) Tomorrow is Nate's birthday. He did his usual digging in about how for one day I am two calendar years older than him. I am looking forward tomorrow to calling him OLD-like me. We had a duel birthday cake tonight. It was the first cake in five years that was not from the Cakery. Boy, do we miss that cake!
My New Years resolution is to get an external drive that will hold ALL of my pictures. I spent almost an hour between THREE computers getting all these pictures. They chronicle the past four Christmas' with Ethan and the little tree at Bob and Marsha's. He has turned into such a "boy." He was so lovey today. He told me a dozen times Happy Birthday! I hope you all have HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We were in Steelers Country

This was the first visit to PA that everyone arrived about the same time and left about the same time. It was lunch time when we arrived. Ethan could barely eat because the presents were calling his name.
Lincoln started off a little shy, but finally came around to Memaw and Pappy.
Saturday the family headed to Missy's to see the Lynch's. The boys received even more presents there. They showed off for the girls and ran like wildmen in their house. Sunday was filled with football. Everyone dressed in their jerseys.
On Monday, the family headed over to a little place in Somerset where some men in the community put their model trains out. There were over 20 displays. The boys loved it!
Lincoln dozed off on Uncle Ryan. The trip went too fast. Everyone had a great time!

What a Happy Merry Christmas

Those words were spoke minutes after seeing Santa's gifts! Nate and I actually woke up before the kids this morning. I think we were as excited as the kids! Once the boys woke up, we rushed downstairs to look at all the presents. The best line of they day was when Ethan was looking at the train. He said, "It's not the one I asked for, but I like it." In Santa's defense, the train he wanted got horrible reviews and was MUCH cheaper. His is a lot nicer!
Lincoln loved, loved, loved every minute today. He was hysterical. He ran from toy to toy and laughed. Here he is kissing his cookie monster.
The train table was a huge hit. They kept coming back to it over and over.
One of the best moments of the day was when Ethan gave Nate his gifts that he picked out. He got him tools because every daddy needs tools. He also got him bungee cords. I loved the look on Ethan's face when he helped Nate open them. He is beginning to understand the true meaning of Christmas. It was such a WONDERFUL Christmas. Nate and I couldn't have asked for a better day. We hope that you all had a Happy Merry Christmas. Tomorrow we are off to PA. There is no internet access there so I am sure I will have tons to post when we get back!

Merry Christmas

Ethan was getting us all in the Christmas spirit this morning by singing his Christmas carols. Now we're all ready for Jesus to come...and Santa.

Ring around the Rosy

Ethan taught Lincoln, Ring around the Rosy.

Lincoln could see himself on the camera.

There's nothing better than....

THREE boys (and a dog) in the kitchen. I had to take Hunter to the vet today and when I got back Nate was in the kitchen cooking pasta with meatballs.
The boys were "helping."
**Hunter update: He has had more labored breathing. We took him to the vet today and she gave him a good exam. She asked that we leave him for x-rays. When I picked him up, she told me that he has a partially paralyzed larynx. We just need to make sure he doesn't exert himself. The rest of him looks great. She said for a 12 1/2 year old he is pretty darn healthy. As Nate said today, "Josh picked a winner." He keeps on a ticking!**