Zoo Fun

Today we went to the zoo and had a great time!  We rented a wagon to carry the backpack, lunch bag and the boys (when they got tired) and we all took turns pulling it around.  The weather was really nice (cool and sunny) and most of the animals were readily visible today!

Just getting started....

Sharing pulling duty and checking out the birds

A King Vulture is showing off his impressive wing span

 Bears enjoying the sunshine

The new addition to the Elephant Exhibit is now open. 
The little one on the left is one of the newest additions!

Michael is almost as big as the Komodo Dragon!
(not sure if that is a good thing or not...)

Mandrills take naps too.

Guess it is easier to pull the wagon when straddling the handle bar.

Big brother had to have his turn pulling the wagon!

Christmas 2011

Here is the picture of the boys with Santa this year:

We had a good Christmas this year:

Tree & Gifts before the boys got up
(We decided to wait until Christmas Eve after the boys went to sleep to put the presents under the tree)

At church Christmas Day morning
(we all got new tops to wear!)

Grandpa Dave & Grandma Lela helping with some of the gifts

How quickly they learn to rip things open!!

David got a new RC 4-wheeler that can run outside

More things to add to the Toy Station: trucks, cars, helicopters, Dragon Ship, 2 small RC cars for Michael...

A few more things that don't fit at the Toy Station: RC Sesame Street train (currently residing in the yellow tub); fold out race track; Barrel of Army Men, Tanks, Planes, etc; Marble Run & Electronic Snap Kit. 

The boys also got assorted clothes & pajamas.  They opened gifts in shifts: stockings before breakfast; Santa gifts after breakfast; went to church, came home, had lunch & rest time; opened the rest of the gifts after Grandpa Dave, Grandma Lela & Grandpa Frosty came over (around 4:00) then dinner at 5:00 before playing some more before bedtime.  We had a good day.

First Visit with Santa

We took the boys this morning to see Santa for the first time.  It went really well!  We practiced smiling and telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas (cars, even though Mama tried to get Michael to say "Land Rover" instead of 'Car') 

We went ahead and got a package of pictures (we will post one once we can get it scanned).  Here are ones we took while waiting our turn:

Decorating the Christmas Tree

We got the Christmas Tree put up a couple of weeks ago, but didn't get it decorated until tonight (the lights were strung last week).  The boys had fun helping hang decorations and Chris enjoyed watching (before he had to leave for work).  See if you can tell who decorated what parts...

Mama and the boys getting started

Waiting for ornaments to put on the tree

This is fun!

Making sure the sides & back get some

All done!!  Now all we need are the presents under the tree...


At dinner, the boys were asked what they wanted for Christmas:

David: a train and 20 motorcycles

Michael: motorcycles

(They take after their daddy!
He wants a motorcycle too!)

Halloween 2011

Okay, I know it is almost a month after Halloween, but time flies when you have a very busy life! 

The boys really enjoyed their first Halloween (as far as we can tell).

David chose a Batman costume (complete with utility belt that lights up) and Michael chose a Cowboy / Sheriff costume (because it came with a hat).

David had a 'Character Parade' at school that allowed the kids to dress up and parade around the school while parents and other students cheered.  They carried a book that went with their costume and had a good time.  Chris and Michael went up to the school and helped David carve a pumpkin before the Character Parade.  Unfortunately I had to be at work. 

That night, the boys and I met up with some friends to go trick-or-treating in their neighborhood.  We had pizza and drinks before heading out.  We hit about 20 homes and the boys really had a good time going to the doors and saying (their version) "Trick or Treat"!  It sounded more like :Twik or Tweat! TankU!

Chris carving our pumpkins at home

Our finished pumpkins!  Chris did a great job!

David & Michael in front of the pumpkin at school

The Larkins Pumpkin (minus part of an ear tip)

Ready for the Character Parade at school

Waiting to start the Parade

The Parade is led by Captain America
(also known as David's teacher's husband)

We've had our pizza, now we are waiting to go Trick-or-Treating

Come on, already!  Let's go get some candy!

We got some good stuff at this house!

Dinner

I don't know why I am so surprised at what/how our boys will eat.  I can spend 45 minutes working on a really nice, well-balanced meal served on a plate and they won't eat hardly anything!  I can take the same ingredients, cut it all up and put it in a bowl and they think it is the BEST FOOD EVER!  It doesn't even have to be a 'normal' combination, as long as it is in a bowl.  A few days ago, we had diced ham with chopped leftover hot dogs (warmed up in the skillet), layered with green beans & corn, topped with Macaroni-n-Cheese.  They both thought it was the best!  I can serve the same items separately on a plate and it won't get the same reaction.  I am beginning to think that it is NOT my cooking but the container it is served in. 

Sigh.

The Joys of Being Mom.

At least they are eating something.......

Being Silly...

What little boys do when they have lots of things and plenty of space to play

So proud of his work!

Had a good day at school....

Building a 'house' for the cars

Building a 'house' for his cars

Being a Stop Sign

Also being a Stop Sign

When Daddy isn't home and Sheba won't cooperate, little brother makes a good horsey!

Little brother's turn to ride a horsey!

Practicing for the Bucking Bronco event at the Rodeo.....