Watching Sprout At Mamaz and Papaz

My kids know how to have fun.

Brother Better Watchout

Claire had discovered brother's camera. Lookout world here she comes.

Just A Swangin'

Claire finally got in the swing and let Pearce push her. She does enjoy being stationary better right now.

My Little 'Crosser

Pearce checking out the junior version of Daddy's old cyclocross bike. Kristi got on to me for letting him go out in public in his wellingtons. The explanation that we were looking at cyclocross equipment really didn't help me much at all. P-man was in love with that bike the whole time we were there. He kept spinning the wheel and putting on the brakes.

Granny

Mom doing her impression of a little ol' Granny.

Sam Poaching on Papaz Chair

Look Familiar

It's a Frontpack

The Three Riceketeers

All for one bowl and one bowl for all.

Pearce and the Rice Krispies

It didn't hurt that there are M&Ms galore. He's just warming up for the festivities of this weekend.

A Little Bonding ...A Little Gooning

The girl cousins hanging out at Mamaz and Papaz. Nothing like a little quality time for the few, the proud, the granddaughters. Nevermind that Claire's about to pass out right there.

All The Mater Puzzles

Steve and Jody hit a winner with the Mater puzzles from Mater's Tall Tales. Pearce's two favorite things Mater and Puzzles.

Really Da Another Picture?

Doing a Little Doctoring

Pearce is trying to fix Daddy.

Lunch and a Movie

Did you see what Mater just did? The picture was taken with a new app. It makes the pictures look like old film cameras.

Quality Time

The Kids on the Hall

Claire, Pearce, and Caesar hanging out enjoying the presents P&C got for Christmas. They are also enjoying time away from school with Daddy.

Well Hello Hulu

We have dropped the cable and are trying out the streaming. We have Hulu Plus and we hope to get into some Netflix tomorrow. We can actually watch You Tube. I'll be investigating that tomorrow for sure.

Andrew Elkins

The Christmas Tree Elf

Isn't she just the cutest baby in the world?

Claire Tries to Ride Sidesaddle

She does it pretty well. She got on by herself and swung her leg over and there she was.

The Morning After

Playing with Christmas toys is really tough work except when you sleep in them. Or, at least watch Mickey Mouse Club House.

Boy on the Move

P-man the spiderman. He is making his Mommy a spider web.

All These Wonderful Toys

Ho Ho Ho

This Is My Favorite

This has got to be the best dark picture I've taken so far with the iPhone. I like how you can see the presents, the rocker, and the tree and that is it. A light in the darkness.

Christmas Gift!!!!!

Well, it's Christmas morning and the tree is complete with all it's presents. Now it is time for good little parents to go to bed and get a few hours of shut eye. Love you all, happy birthday Jesus, and CHRISTMAS GIFT.

Reindeer Dishwashing

Reindeer Cop

Like Father Like Son

Just like Daddy. Don't feel so hot and it's Christmas Eve.

P-man the Scrunch Nosed Reindeer

Pearce got a hold of Claire's antlers from the Christmas program. He proceeded to parade around with his nose scrunched up saying "I'm Rudolph do you like my red nose?"

Christmas Door Update

Last Minute Napping

'nuff said.

Last Minute Email to Santa

Gotta make sure St. Nicholas has the latest info since I don't have an elf assigned to me, yet.

The Christmas Door.

The Elkins Christmas Card tradition lives on the pantry door. The most viewed door in the house I do believe.

Purple Elf Princess

How do you like my new outfit from Aunt Shelly? I really like it.

Cleaning the Extra Room

Gotta get the extra bedroom ready for Christmas Eve. We're going to be busy, busy, busy. One part cleaning to two parts cleaning up after.

Sick Day With Daddy

Nesting in Mommy and Daddy's Bed

Coffee is for this little birdie. That's one way to keep Mommy and Daddy from going back to bed.

Prepare the Way

Pearce really likes doing the Advent Candles. He thinks Daddy is silly when we turn out all the lights to light the candles. He looks like an angel in the candle light though.

Pearce's Purple Christmas Tree

Pearce chose the color himself. Made me pretty happy. I call it his Young Harris Christmas Tree. Do you notice the one ornament?

Some Serious Movie Watching

Pearce is busy watching the "Magic" Tales (Veggie Tales) story of St. Nicholas. He loves this story almost as much as Josh and the Big Wall.

Mack Convention

We are in so much trouble. If Pearce does it Claire has to, too. Uh oh, Claire just came sprinting (literally) around the corner holding a coat hanger and hiding behind me. Time to investigate.

You Like My Tree

Daddy put these up here for us to look at. Of course the odd ornament goes missing and reappears in a bedroom or hallway. Who could be responsible for that?

Advent is My Favorite Season

Advent at the supper table. Pearce is loving the candle lighting nearly every night.

O Tannenbaum

We're off to a pretty good start. Tree's up, decorations are up, presents need wrapping and goodies need to be eaten.

Ahhhhhh Memories

Just saw this driving down Shorter Ave. in Rome. Just about made me cry.

Got a Haul From Uncle Phil and Aunt Shelly

How ya like this backpack. I LOVE IT!! I got some John Deere socks and a purple jacket w/pants and a pair of PJs. Pearce got a load of stuff. He got a John Deere Gator and Tractor (uncle present so they make noise), some Lightning McQueen slippers and PJ's, and 2 puzzles. I think we'll go back again. In addition to the presents there was all kinds of good food. Daddy liked that, too.

Look what I drew!

Daddy got a new toy.

Christmas Cold is Dripping

Sometimes you get to see the neatest things when your sick at Christmas time. I can't sleep and my movie just ended. I turned off the tv and all the other lights and there was the reflection of our tree in the lower left corner.
Nevermind I could roll over and see the real deal. It's just that the little reflection in the corner of the tv is neat, and it's my moment I chose to share.

Andrew Elkins

A Cup O Tea for the Invalid

Suze got this for me in her and Sam's globe trotting days. When ever I am really getting into a book by a British author I'll pull this tea cup out. More often I pull it out to help bring me back to health. It holds green tea most admirably. To tell the truth I love this tea cup so much the lid has been glued back together twice (same fault line). Well, it is off to supper.

Little Farmer Boy

Pearce is helping Daddy take the compost out to the pile. We really need to do some prep work in the yard for the spring. There will be greens (salad more than likely) by the basement door, maybe a raised bed for corn, beans, and squash, there will be beans along the fence. There also might be blueberries along the side of the deck (facing the neighbors). Winter is a busy time.

Howdy Pardner

Can I have some cattle, PLEASE!!!?