Brother Laughs

Only his big brother can make him laugh like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_8cRffgvIg

Snow!

I know there are Christmas pictures to put up but in the meantime, we had our first snow of the year in Kansas! Chris was extremely excited; Jonathan was moderately excited...

Insect Project

We were invited (by Christopher's handwritten invitation) to attend his class's presentation about the insect project they have been working on all semester. We've been hearing about this for weeks now and the kids worked so hard on their research! They all worked in committees that specialized in one area of research. For Christopher's group, their focus was insect bodies. We attended their presentation as well as several others. Then Chris read his book to us (below). Jonathan was just happy to be on a comfy couch--not sure how much insect info he absorbed...

But he was very excited to sit at his big brother's desk!

Best Buds

We had the Titus family over for dinner the other night and it's just so nice to see these two play together. They've been friends for such a long time! The younger siblings got involved in the fun too...

Baby Grand

This morning we took Grammy to Union Station to see all the Christmas decorations and we came across this Keys for Kids baby grand piano painted in a Kansas City theme. Christopher proceeded to play for the passersby and even got a little applause!

Brothers

Any time I try to get both kids to smile at the same time, I am rarely successful. So the picture above is a more accurate representation of real life! And then there is J with his partner in crime--Holly...

This Could Be Trouble

This could be the beginning of this dynamic duo getting into all kinds of trouble...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgH-q0rmsXI

Santa

No tears for Santa from J!!

Bundled Up

It was a little chilly this morning when we went to walk the dogs so Jonathan got to wear his toasty snow suit. He was up quite early and was so cozy that he conked out for a little morning cat nap while we walked...

14 Months!

This little guy is 14 months old today! And he's walking all over the place too. The beginning of this video will look very familiar. Chris used to walk everywhere with a train in his hand!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5XqDngNYQ0

Instrument Maker

Christopher has been very interested in music for a while now, and he has really gotten into making his own instruments after watching a show with Grammy about just that. These are some of the projects that he has worked on over the last couple weeks. Above is his guitar, followed by his viola below...

This is his violin...

And he also made a French horn...

Most of the time, all he needs is some paper and tape and he can make whatever he can imagine. In the case of these instruments, a few wooden blocks have factored into the mix!

Thanksgiving

This past Thanksgiving weekend, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit! We all had a great time with them. Because Jonathan has just started taking off in the walking department, he was all over the house, showing off his skills to his grandparents and leading Grandpa Eric all over the house...

The day after Thanksgiving, we went to Union Station to see all the beautiful decorations and the holiday trains they have set up. Jonathan is following in his big brother's footsteps in his love of trains!

And just like that...

He's walking! I just got done telling three people today that Jonathan walks all over the place but will not let go and take off on his own. Well, he proved me wrong today. Go baby J! The first video is a little sideways so I also included another one...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmolMc-2428

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9FjSA4A8VY

Beautiful Day at Loose Park

We went to Loose Park after school today to enjoy the beautiful warm-ish weather. Here are the boys having their snacks.

A Little Violin

Christopher went to a birthday party at Science City this morning and on our way out, Union Station was buzzing with all kinds of great holiday things going on. First of all it looked beautiful because of all the decorations but there were also representatives from a music store with different instruments the kids could try. Christopher is SO interested in music now and he was super excited to get to try out his very own violin!

Movie Night

Chris had a fun evening last night when our church hosted a movie night for kids in kindergarten through second grade. They got to eat wear their pajamas, eat pizza, do a scavenger hunt and watch the Polar Express (and stay up way past their bedtimes!). Christopher's favorite thing was drinking hot chocolate and eating popcorn during the movie. He even got a ticket for the Polar Express and his very own magic bell! (see top picture)

Recital Number 2

Christopher had his second piano recital this evening and he did a great job! This recital was with his teacher, Mackenzie (who also babysits Jonathan). He played "The Mixed-Up Song" and "Lonely Pine" which he actually composed the middle part of. On the program, it was cool to see that the song was "arr. Woglom" (arranged by Woglom)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__a2ue5-7Fk

Story Time

Jonathan and I met Tiffany and Noah over at the Kansas City Library for Jonathan's first story time! The boys got to play before and after the stories and they enjoyed the books and songs very much!

On Deck

Just enjoying some of this fall weather out back...

Plane Repairs

Our plane mechanic is hard at work with repairs to his cargo aircraft...

Lounging

Does this boy know how to lounge or what? He literally sat like that for 2 minutes, which in a baby's world is an eternity to be in one position. Then he changed to an alternate position, not much different from the first...

Jonathan knows how to get comfortable!

Mini Maker Faire

We went to Barnes and Noble today for their mini makers faire. Chris is very into how things work and how you can make stuff so he enjoyed it. Here he is working with snap circuits...

Jonathan was more interested in the children's book section so we spent a lot of time there too!

Pics and a... Snow Day?

Last Thursday, Christopher had his Ghost Walk and Halloween party at school. Here is a picture of our fighter pilot with some yummy treats...

And our little man turned 13 months old yesterday...

And apparently we are having some "inclement weather" in this city today. If you have been living under a rock for the past few days, the Royals won the World Series and when you are the only good professional team in town, that means that all the schools get a "Royals snow day." I'm really happy for all of our friends who are savoring this championship and the opportunity to celebrate with a day off and a parade, but my East Coast mentality is having a hard time understanding the need to cancel school. I guess when you win as many championships as the Yankees have in the past 30 years... well, school just can't be cancelled that much! And what happened to just cutting school to go to a parade? Anyway, we will have the parade on TV today I suppose. Now we can focus on hockey season!

Trick or Treat

Chris got to go trick or treating with Lahna and Liam tonight and the kids got LOTS of good candy!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from our fighter pilot and his puppy sidekick!

Wagon pushing

Jonathan has been all over the place pushing his little wagon. Here he is making his way down the hall with the help of his big brother..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXIndmbSD9U

Little Tease

Jonathan is such a tease...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MqSyUV11So

Boo at the Zoo

We spent the day at the zoo today for Boo at the Zoo where kids could wear their Halloween costumes and trick or treat while checking out the animals. Christopher, of course, has been to the zoo and still loves all the animals (especially the penguins) but for Jonathan, it was his first time there. He loved the penguins too! 

And this was probably the best picture I could get of little man in his doggie costume with the hat part on...

Christopher is going to be a fighter pilot for this Halloween!

Go Giles Go

Today we participated in the FARE walk that raises awareness about food allergies. This year was a little chillier than last year and I was a lot less pregnant than last year! This time Jonathan got to experience the walk from the outside. It was a fun morning with friends and Chris was very excited that this year's headband was green...

Chris got to hang out with some superheroes...

And he got to use a hammer and nails to build a fire truck!

It was a great morning followed by a barbecue at the Kearns' house and later followed by a trip to Spookfest at Science City (by then, Mommy was too tired to take pictures!)... And then here is J just being cute...

Grandpa T's Visit

Grandpa T just left Kansas this morning and we all had a great time with him. Chris especially had fun going fishing, playing in the backyard, talking baseball (and watching a lot of it too!) and just spending time with his Grandpa. We hope to see him again soon!