Big Sticks

What? Your puppy doesn't collect firewood as chew toys? Apparently ours does. Regular sticks in the back yard are not quite big enough for him, poor boy. He's also been known to chew on the landscaping stones if he can't find any sticks to suit him. Silly boy.

Christmas at the Lake

Early Christmas with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Brian, and Cousins Austin and Kyndal at Grandma and Grandpa's cabin on the lake ...

Firefighter Christmas Party

They may not be smiling, but at least they're not screaming at Santa this year.

Ready for Christmas

It only took eight years, but for the first time ever Xander was really excited in the weeks leading up to Christmas. He wanted to help Daddy string the lights on the Christmas tree. He wanted to help hang up the stockings and the ornaments. He talked about presents and Santa. He quoted a lot of "Prep and Landing," in a functional way. Holiday cheer, indeed.

Cutting Down the Tree

There's a first time for everything.

Connor usually goes with Daddy to the little tree farm down the road from our old house to pick and cut the annual Christmas tree. This year, with the way the calendar fell, Connor was out of town. He goes home with Grandma and Grandpa to the lake every year after Thanksgiving, and this year that was the Saturday we elected to get our tree.

The twins may have gone once before, back when they could be toted in infant carriers. But this was the first time we took them along to help. They were a little unimpressed after the first five minutes. Xander, in particular, kept trying to sneak into the tree farm house (he could see a television through the back windows, I think). Sawyer just kept trying to go back to the truck.

Just one more way the boys are getting out into the world, whether they really like it or not!

(And if you're wondering, yes, we waited until Connor came home on Sunday to actually do the decorations. He LOVES that part!)