Did you know that...

Elias is obsessed with Sam's new skateboard????


And that we can't keep Sam off his bike these days???

He rides!!!!!!!!!

Need I say more???

Snow!!

Well, it took almost 6 years, but Jeff and I finally brought our kids to the mountains to experience the snow. We headed out to the Tahoe area earlier this week for a couple of days of sledding, snowball fights, and hot chocolate drinking.

We rented a great little house- here it is, under it's blanket of snow.

A view from the top of the staircase leading down to the front door.

I was expecting some snow of course, but was definitely a little amazed by the vast amount of white stuff everywhere. Piles and piles of it!


There was a sledding hill just a few doors down from our rental- we spent quite a bit of time there.

Going down.
The long walk up.

The cheering section.

On our second day we went to a little ski resort that was just a few miles away. They had a nice kid's area, with a groomed tubing hill, tube "carousel", and casual ski lessons. We spent a very fun morning there- the kids especially loved flying down the hill in the tubes.

The carousel.
Wheeeee!!!

Sam's getting his work out in!

First time on skis!!
He sure looks like a natural!
Sam and I trekked out onto the middle of a small lake that was near our house.
Trying my hand at a snow angel. The snow was a little too hard and icy for this, but it was fun trying!

It is so beautiful up there.


And COLD!!
It was such fun to experience the snow with the boys- their pure joy and excitement is so infectious. They truly make us slow down and take delight in the small moments in life.

Like hanging out in a cooler- who would have imagined it could be so fun?

Or sucking on icicles- so cold, yet so yummy!

Smashing up ice.

We can't wait to go back!

Warrior Sam

Last night, Jeff took Sam to see his first professional basketball game. They had a great time watching the Golden State Warriors beat Indiana, although quite honestly I think Sam was more into the food than the game. Hot dogs, and pretzels, and ice cream! Oh my! Sam was awake when they arrived home and more than a little giddy from all the sugar and super tall men. I think a great time was had by all.

Sam still has some growing to do.


Jeff and Sam's feet compared with LeBron James'.

Elias gets in touch with his maternal side

One of Patch's favorite new toys is this little shopping cart. He mostly uses it as a garbage truck of course, but he recently discovered an old baby doll of Sam's, and has taken to driving her around everywhere in his cart. He also likes to take of her clothes and changer her "diaper" a lot. He calls her baby, and is actually quite sweet and gentle with her (usually). He will sit and rock her and even sing to her a little. This play even brought back memories of nursing for him- he hasn't nursed in close to 5 months, so that is some major recall for him!




What a sweet boy!!

Back to December...

As I mentioned earlier, we were lucky enough to have family with us for the Christmas holiday- the first time in all the ten years we've lived in California! We were very excited to share this special time with the boys' two "Iowa Grandmas", Barbara and Jane, and with their aunt Sara, who came from grad school in Tucson. We all had a really wonderful time together, barring a few colds, one throwing up episode, and a bout of conjunctivitis. Ah, the winter season with kids! We did lots of fun playing around the house- Sam had both his Grandmas suited up as pirates and sailing the seas with him. Elias loved all of our visitors, but really bonded with Auntie Sara. He is still wandering around the house looking for her! It was so fun to share the joys of Christmas with our family- they really loved watching the kids open their presents and experience the special magic that is Santa!
Thanks to everyone who sent cards and gifts to us- they boys really loved everything they received, and we all enjoy reading the cards and catching up with friends and family who live far away.
Here are a few more random shots from this year's holidays.

These two photos represent Patchie's far and away most favorite holiday activity, known as "Elf Yourself". Many of you probably experienced it yourselves this season, but for those of you who missed it, I will explain. It is 4 elves doing this fabulous little dance in the snow that you can paste your own heads onto, thereby "elfing" yourself. It only took one viewing for Elias to become obsessed, and he demanded to watch us dance many times everyday. Really, I don't think anything has held his attention like this since he weaned himself!!

All Elias asked for from Santa was one lollipop. He is an easy kid to shop for! Sam's pop is not from Santa, but leftover from Halloween. Yes, we still have Halloween candy in the house. Sigh.



The boys with their beautiful stockings, knit for them by their Grannie.

Christmas morning. By the way, that's Sam's new skateboard, not Elias'!!

Reading with Auntie Sara.
Marble Run!!
Sam, looking beautiful.

And now fierce!
Elias, looking cute.

Patchie, in his brand new Grannie socks.
Aren't they beautiful?

Rainy Day Fun

This isn't the end of the holiday coverage here, but I had to post these pics from yesterday. A fierce winter storm blew in the early morning yesterday, bringing lots of wind and rain. It had calmed down enough by the afternoon for us to get outside for a bit of splashing and try out the new umbrellas.

Big jumps.


Elias, wondering how Sammy jumps SO high!


Yes, that's right- he's got both feet off the ground!


Umbrella twirling.