Company...

We have my cousin Miles and his wife, Arlene, and their two kids here... Reese is rather taken with just watching the two boys who are 8 and 6 play with his toys. He's not too sure what to do. Carsten just takes it all in and has taken to shrieking shrilly these days. He has two teeth just on the brink of coming in!

Bad blogger...

Sorry I have been a terrible blogger this week... It seems that we have had a ton to do and nothing worth noting exactly. So, here are a few pictures and a promise to update more this week. We went to Jim's parents on Saturday with all of the family. Reese mostly spent the day in *his* car--he insisted the bunny be tied on top of his car--and then he helped with the gambling... hmmmm.

We're home...

Well, we made it home last night. Carsten enjoyed driving whenever we were stopped.










Reese mostly liked talking on the phone...










And Opa did all the driving until we met up with Jim and then Jim drove us home. Thanks to Opa and Oma for taking us halfway! We had a great time with you!

Still here...

In digging through old stuff here I have come across some of my old things... here is my cat mask that Reese has been sporting for a couple of days. We are still de-cluttering--almost done! We'll head home on Saturday--weather permitting.

Oma getting in some Carsten snuggles...

Injury...

We just wanted to record this picture of Reese's injury today. Running on an uneven brick walkway--you can imagine the rest... Anyway a fat lip and scratches later and he is still smiling.

Barette...

Okay, Reese is wearing a barette... long story. It was a deal I made with a cousin, Rae Ann. I won, so now I have to post a picture of Reese wearing the prize--a barette. To get the full story you can check out the blog that got this all started--very tiny curtis

Working...

So, now in addition to de-cluttering my mom and dad's house we are de-wallpapering one room and painting it. My brother (who still lives at home...) is switching bedrooms and we are fixing up his old room for my mom to use as an office/guestroom. You can see what Opa and Carsten spend their time doing...

Gingerbread House...

Oma signed Reese up for a Gingerbread House making class at the grocery store. I went with him today and he had loads of fun. I'm still not sure where most of the candy went--on the house or in his mouth?

Just for the record...

Because this blog has turned into my way of keeping track of milestones I have to post that Carsten is sitting up on his own--six months!

Also I wanted to let our curious viewers know what we are up to. We came to my parents for Thanksgiving and then the boys and I stayed on. Jim went home to work. I was going to stay for two weeks, but it is turning into three... I am helping my mom de-clutter her house. We work a little every day, but with two little tootlepops to care for we are constantly interrupted--and how can you resist a two year old's pleas, "will you play with me--pleeeaasse???". So now you know what we are up to!

All boy...

Here is Reese this morning... He added the accessories himself--boots on the wrong feet, tape measure and the ever trusty hammer! Looking pretty smart...

Baths at Oma's...

Oma has fun towels at her house for baths too. Reese is a giraffe if you can't tell and Carsten is a frog.

Happy 1/2 Birthday Carsten!

Today is Carsten's half birthday--he is six months old... hard to believe. We celebrated with hats and a cupcake--he played with the frosting and then his brother polished it off (kind of... we only gave him a quarter of it as bedtime is coming up on us).

Finally...

Here is the picture of my old teacher friends when we got together at Thanksgiving time. Funny we all have our own kids now.

Reese at his dad's favorite restaurant!

A new Blog...

Go check out Thyme in the Kitchen... This is a new blog my Aunt Diane and I started to share tried and enjoyed recipes. If you'd just like to get some recipes please take them. If you'd like to join in the fun and post recipes just email me or post a comment and I'll add you as an author. Happy Cooking!

Auntie Alicia...

We went to Auntie Alicia's today--she is due to have a baby in February...

Reese was looking pretty sharp in Tsiava's pink shades... He wore them to eat dessert.

Reese and Tsiava in his new school bus... They both fit, but it was a squeeze. They shared hammers today and had fun pounding on things...

The diaper cake I made for Alicia.

Friday...

Carsten is starting early on Opa and Unc's line of work... He was pretty pleased with himself.

Our two tootlepops at Opa and Oma's...

Second Thanksgiving, etc...

This guy is the reason Reese isn't allowed to play outdoors at Opa and Oma's. Jim is worried the coyote is a little too hungry and might try for some two year old meat... So, for now we are indoors with the cat!

Caught Carsten in the sun this morning...

Uncle John and Aunt Diane with the family...

I just had to put up a picture of the whole blanket--I love it!

A new blanket...

Carsten and Aunt Diane with the blanket she cross-stitched for him. A huge thank you to Grandma Paula for putting on the backing and satin edge-- it looks so nice! Thank you Aunt Diane...

Thanksgiving...

Carsten enjoying a spoon... Most anything can be a toy these days.

Reese learning new tricks from his friends!

Here we are--ready to dig in!

Sleeping...

I just had to catch this little guy sleeping...

Anyone?

Reese's wish list begins with this small dollar item... anyone?

A couple more pictures from Reese... Carsten as Reese sees him while we drive. And, the favorite pile o'shoes by the door...

The rewards...

I took a little time and played with Reese this morning. The baby just kicked around beside us and Reese and I dove into Block Structures 101. First he wanted to build the face that was pictured on the block bag--we accomplished that, but then the demolition machine took care of it... Next was a barn. We worked together and built up a big *barn*. I was starting to get a little restless and hungry, so I suggested we go downstairs and have a snack. Reese was quite agreeable. As we headed down the stairs he says, "That was pun mommy", "Tank you for building barn wif me mommy"... The rewards of being a mommy--my heart melted.


The sweetest cheeks I know...

Pajamas...

Sorry for the lack of pictures... mama was sick...
I must say I have a good mother-in-law. She came over yesterday and watched the boys while I napped. She also made homemade chicken noodle soup for lunch. Yum.
So here are my two in their cute pajamas. Reese of course is holding one of his trusty hammers--he's never without one.

Bathtime!

Here is our little duck after his bath...

Cartsen loves his bathtime. He sits there and smiles and kicks the whole time. The only time he has ever cried has been when we get him out. He is getting to where he likes to play with something in the bath too... rubber ducks, etc.

And then here is our kitty...

Reese also thoroughly enjoys his bathtime. The only part he ever squawks about is hair washing... He is very into bubbles in his bath water now and he is the *bubble man* as he is the one to put the bubbles in...