Watch out for this guy.

Outlaw Rudy, at Mary Emma's birthday party

Snow day

The excitement built all week, as word of a snowstorm spread through the school!  We had a teacher conference after school on Wednesday and the teachers were giddy with the possibility of a long weekend.  It had rained (and rained and rained) all week, so James and I were a little doubtful, but we got a phone call Thursday morning about an early dismissal.  

The boys were home by 1:45 on Thursday, with still only rain outside.   Finally, about 3:00, some big fat snowflakes started falling.  The temperature dropped enough so the wet ground froze and snow started to accumulate.  We waited until about 5 to go out, since we didn't want to be playing in soppy, almost-freezing puddles.  

By the time we came in for hot chocolate, it was clear (to us, but clearly not the school officials) that there would be no school on Friday.  Friday morning, we first got a call (actually...3 calls, 2 emails, and 2 texts) that there was a two hour delay followed about an hour later by the cancellation.  There was enough snow for some sledding with friends Friday morning, and then just enough left for some post-lunch outside play.  

By Friday evening, it was all melted and we enjoyed a relatively warm and sunny weekend.  Crazy Virginia winter!

Roller blading and pogo sticking

The boys got some pretty awesome presents this year!:  Blasterz guns that shoot water pellets, crazy flying whistly balloons, an Xbox and games, Legos, and rollerblades and a pogo stick.  Not everything is a very exciting video, but the roller blades and pogo sticks are pretty funny:

I took that video last week.  Brady is already up to 177 pogo hops, and Rudy is quickly picking up speed!

Rockin' Out

Fibber

We picked out a new game for Oma and Papa for Christmas, but didn't have a chance to play until they came up with Grandma for a quick visit after new years eve.  It was a fun game, except for the moment of embarrassment when Brady had to be the first one to don a Fibber nose!  

Thank you

The boys created a giant poster as part of their thank you notes this year.  (We had this printed on a photo card.)  Note Rudy's additional detail:  the small letters L-O-V-E in the word thank.

Christmas #2

We got home from Phoenix late on the 28th and moved the bags out of James' car and into the van.  The next morning, we loaded up the second round of presents and headed to Oma and Papa's house.  We were there the 29th through January 1 before heading home again.  We had another Christmas party and enjoyed lots of game and play time with everyone!

 

Visit with Grandma

Grandma joined us at Oma and Papa's house for Christmas.  The boys loved having some time to play games and paint with her. 

 

PHX for Christmas

We spent Christmas week in Phoenix this year.  It wasn't as warm as we'd hoped, but the boys loved the new desert-twist on Christmas!

Exploring the neighborhood with Cooper:

Making cookies for Santa:

Three munchkins with minecraft:

Ready for basketball:

Crazy balloons

If your kids don't have these, then they are missing out!

12 Days of Christmas

I think we need a little more practice...

Family Photos