Happy Hodge Podge Post

November was a wonderful month, full of celebrations and family visits.  Here are some of my favorite pictures that tell the story of the past few weeks.  Here you go:

A "surprise"  picnic lunch with Daddy one day when the boys were home from school...we had great weather so we were able to eat outdoors together.

This year's trip to the Christmas tree farm was a good day of fun.  It's our longest-running family tradition yet.

I feel like this event is a "measuring stick" of sorts for me to see how the boys are growing. It's not so much the snowman that shows how tall they are as it is the memories of what it was like to bring them here year after year.  Year one was when Nathan was a newborn. Year two, he was crawling.  Year three, Mark was a newborn. Now they're both old enough to run through the farm with walkie-talkies and radio us to tell us where they've found the best tree. Somewhere along the line, we decided a meal at Cracker Barrel is part of this tradition, and we all look forward to that now.

Nathan wanted to help me make the sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving this year.  Taste-testing was part of the appeal.  Mark also helped spread the topping on.

Mark at the Thanksgiving Breakfeast at school this year...he loved every minute, and every bite of food.
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He was the very first student to enter the gym that morning.  The look on his face when he saw me watching him was priceless.

Our visit with Gram and Gramp was filled with much fun and many games.  I lost count of how many times they played!  It sure was good to have them here.  We made a lot of wonderful memories this time.

Eight and Six

What was it my mother said?  Are the even years easier or harder than the odd?  Either way, these boys are eight and six years old now.  I made the mistake of saying Mark was five the other day, and I was quickly corrected by the six year old himself!  He lost his first tooth Monday.  He was at school, in P.E. class.  I will have to take a picture of him this afternoon.  It's all happening so fast!  He told us Sunday night that he had a loose one, and when I picked him up Monday after school, it was in the bag.  He was so proud!  He had proudly shown it to all of his classmates.

Nathan is working on a loose one on the top, too, but he doesn't talk as much about it. His just quietly fall out.  He's also waiting for the top two to come in.  Every now and then he mentions that he doesn't know when they'll be there, but we just say, "They're coming!  Everyone's teeth come in when they're ready!"  Funny how we see their personalities even in the little happenings of childhood.

On this quiet Wednesday morning, I am having a cup of coffee while the November sunshine streams in through the den windows.  I should be doing laundry, or prepping my grocery list, or bringing down my items to consign and donate.  Or cleaning a bathroom.  Eight years ago, Nathan would have been exactly 1 week old.  My tasks were to hold him, feed him, and wash our laundry.  Our meals were provided.  My mother was probably here helping me.  What a difference a few years make! 

We celebrated birthdays with NC/SC family last weekend...and I just wanted to record a few thoughts about each boy at this age so we will remember what they were like at 8 and 6.

Nathan - Loves to read Hardy Boys and Magic Treehouse books.  Loves clever rhymes.  Loves all things electronic.  Loves to explain things.  Moves deliberately.  Loves to make plans.  Loves to ride his bike.  Loves being outside.  Loves being at home.  Loves music.  Loves to talk.  Loves waking up early.  Has his own "office" in his closet.  Loves camping and kayaking.  Loves doing projects with his dad.  Loves his friends.  Loves his dog. Loves to laugh.  Loves his brother.  Favorite foods are poppyseed chicken, grilled chicken legs, scrambled eggs, grilled cheese and homemade bread.  Is loyal and considerate and helpful.

Mark - Loves learning to read on his own.  Loves Legos.  Loves climbing.  Loves riding his bike.  Loves running fast.  Moves quickly.  Loves his friends and makes new ones almost daily.  Loves adventures.  Loves camping and kayaking.  Loves to sing.  Loves sleeping in.  Loves sports and games.  Is very competitive.  Loves to dress up.  Loves to make others laugh.  Loves his brother. Loves doing projects with his dad.  Loves his dog.  Favorite foods are grilled chicken legs, hamburgers, fried eggs, grilled cheese, and pretty much anything we put in front of him.  Is outgoing and kind and generous.

Oh my, there's more to write.  I knew that would happen.  If I could just sit here for a long time and write and write....but that's something for another day.  Right now, I really do need to put the new neon orange and yellow sweatshirts in the wash for two little boys who will be wanting them tomorrow!

Camping Weekend

  

We were in the mountains camping last weekend.  It was really the best possible time to go, while the weather was still mild and the leaves were still brilliant.  The boys had fun checking out the woods and the campsite.

 

They helped put up the tent in record time.

There was some time for fishing from the pier, using live bait.  And there was a morning hike to warm us up.

Here is a silly boy balancing a rock on the bill of his cap.

And another silly boy planning to burn this pine straw in the next campfire.

Two boys and their handsome daddy before we had to break camp.

And upon our return home, we had Mark's birthday dinner and Halloween to enjoy.  Here's "Electro-Man."

 

And Batman.  Much fun was had, and we slept soundly after all that fun!