A Week of Wonder

This past week we celebrated Adam's, Boyd's, and Jesus' Birthdays! It was everything we could have asked for and more. Many memories and full of love.

Boyd loved having us light the candles and sing Happy Birthday over and over again. Adam designed this special cake.

A special blend of Reindeer food near the Chimney.

I spy Rudolph's nose flying through the sky.

Visiting the manger. Away in the manger no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head...

On the loop Christmas Eve finding treasures. Boyd has a runners knack of picking names for routes. The walk we take around the block is now known as "The Loop."

Snuck this photo after Santa slipped back up the chimney.

Boyd loves opening presents and found this one that Santa stashed deep under the tree.

Getting to work.

A camera of his own.

Love!!!!
Train around the tree.

What's up there?
Merry Christmas from the Nations capitol.

Grow arms grow. The mock reflecting pool.

Playing in the fountains. Way to tempting at a child's level. This is actually after Boyd put both feet through it. Always finding fun wherever he goes. (The splashes everywhere are not from Boyd so someone else much have had a good time)

The ultimate construction site.

Boyd built this city and named it Crayon.

Still has packages on his mind. Being one himself.

All in a Christmas Days work!

Thought I'd share Boyd's dictated first letter to Santa. "Dear Santa, I hope you feel better at the North Pole. I will make cars cookies for you. We will leave them on the counter. I'll eat lots of them; we'll share. Sometimes I be a bad boy. Don't write that. Good boy. No, maybe not share the cookies." His list: "My two front teeth, a crane, a new car." "Love, Cement Mixer" (That's what Boyd says his name is for now)

I imagine this is a face I will see a lot through the years. Also, note to readers: along with pictures, I've been meaning to post that Boyd is no longer this lovable boys name. He has changed it to Cement Mixer. When asked by strangers, "What's your name?" Boyd's been responding, "Cement Mixer." -The men at the oil change place loved it.

Just catching fish in Key West. (reporting by Boyd)

Future mountain climber? We have to make a trip West. He'd pick the steepest routes.

In awe.

Trimming the tree + many hats and faces

Full of wonder. Boyd loves looking at the tree in the dark with just the tree lights (even though you can't tell it is dark in the picture- well maybe you can because of the deer in headlights look). He was a great helper in putting the tree up. Boyd enjoyed singing carols and talking about the ornaments too.

Always our greatest Christmas gift.

Dasher? Dancer? Comet? Cupid?



Advent calendar gift December 3.

There are no words for this one.

Just experimenting with headdresses, Boyd also asked if you wore costumes for Christmas? Maybe he is plotting his next outfit.

Such a boy. He kept inserting the word booger in sentences today. Then laughing an evil laugh (pictured below).

Wrapping up November

Today Adam told me I needed to update the blog. We have been so busy enjoying each others company, a few days of beautiful weather, ,and Christmas preparations that the camera and blog have been neglected. Boyd continues to seem to age every day. He really converses like a elementary school kid these days and plays so nicely with others. Sunday marked the first time that mom wasn't a good enough playmate. I kept offering to play with him at the park and he kept saying, "No, I want those boys to play with me." He is suddenly VERY into construction vehicles and Basketball. We've had a great deal of fun with both endeavors. With the holiday season approaching Boyd has begun to discuss the topics. Today he asked why Santa lives at the North Pole. Then we asked him how Santa fits down the chimney. He replied, "He squeezes." I questioned how he got back up the chimney. Boyd responded, " I think he just uses the door."

He also did his annual unwrapping of the wrapping paper rolls- he does this every year. This year I realized he unwraps them to see what's inside (actually pretty smart). 2011 wrapping paper encased a brown cardboard tube, but to Boyd it was a precious gift. "Mom" he exclaimed, "a boomer thing." He was overjoyed and now we have 4 boomer things floating around.

Boyd and Adam went to Michigan for a wonderful Burla Thanksgiving which gave me a chance to catch up around here. It sounds like they had a wonderful trip filled with family and fun. Boyd was excited to see a few Christmas items sprinkled around the house upon his return. He calls his stocking a boot and he likes to play with the stocking holders. It reminds me of my sister Emily and I playing with the decorations when we were young. He is also anxious to begin the advent calendar.

Stay tuned for more Burla adventures to come.

A visit from MiMi and Aunt Jill

This weekend we enjoyed the company of MiMi and Aunt Jill (Thanks for helping out with Boyd, dishes, laundry, etc.). I gave my first D.C. tour. We stopped to see the WWII Memorial up close and found something even more exciting. It was a relaxing and fun time for all.
Playing a belly laughing game with MiMi.

Washington Monument or the rocketship blasting off.

World War 2 Memorial. "Mom this says no swimming."

The best part about our adventure to the monuments-Construction site on the Reflecting pool. We sat and watched for a long time. Then Boyd asked, "How do I get in there? They need my help to drive the digger."

PURE JOY as the digger stops to work right in front of him.

Climbing the tree.

Playing games near the Tidal Basin. I think he looks like he is camouflaged.

Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin with MiMi and Great Aunt Jill

Doing construction on the reflecting pool at home.

Couldn't help but post this comparison. Wow! Sniffle sniff, Boyd is growing so fast.