To kick off the Christmas season we once again had a chance to go and hang out with the elderly at the local retirement home. We did this last year a life group and had a lot of fun so we decided to do it again. The elderly people love the kids and the kids love to hang out with them so it works out great. I am sure one day soon James and Matthew will not think it is a lot of fun, but for now we have two boys that are sweet.
Here are two of the kids doing a recital or sorts. The older people ate it up.
James and Matthew wake up and get out of bed every morning at about 7:05. This is the time that we have set on the "OK to awake" alarm clock. The clock glows a gentle green when it is ok to get out of bed and is dim enough where it will not wake them up if they are still sleeping...pure genius in my book. After they get up it is time to snuggle on the couch and watch Wild Krats.
For Christmas, my parents brought over the old Lego electric train I remember having when I was in middle school. Matthew and James loved it, and I rather enjoyed playing with it again.
We had a white Christmas here in Spokane and got about 2 inches every day for a week before Christmas. It was a great snow and I think it was perfect for sledding. We headed over to the gold course and hit the hill with the grandparents.
Nothing like a little jump to make you smile and have a good time. Matthew and James loved it.
The snow was really coming down and it was so nice to hang out when the weather is like that. The temperatures did not seem that cold and we had fun.
Here is some of the fam right before we headed to Christmas Eve services at church.
Matthew and James are real buddies and although Matthew regularly gets the short end of the brother stick by getting pushed and head locked, they really do enjoy each other.
James and I spent a few days making bird houses for the grandparents and made the roofs out of license plates.
The liscence plate for my parents was a old plate from the car (1973 Plymouth satellite) we drove when we moved from California to Illinois when I was 10. They thought it was pretty cool.
Here is James explaining everything about this present to Matthew.
My mom sewed a couple of "utility belts" for the boy to have a put tools in when they are working. They also supplied tools. They kids thought they were great and I realize it will be only precious few years that this type of gilf will be appreciated by them, but they loved them.
Nothing like getting a car reader for you father in law so you can then go out and use it on your vehicle. It was a great gift and will continue to help in getting that dumb light off on the dash.
Mass quantities of Legos and it only cast about $35. That was a smoking deal.
Couple of cheezers.
Tearing into the next gift and trying to figure out what it is by the picture.
This is what you get when you ask for a smile.
James and Matthew got a Xylophone and have been trying to learn to play a couple of tunes. I am not to bad at it either, but the real star is mom.
Christmas morning is stocking time in our family
They could not get up there fast enough.
James and Matthew and really interested in Nutcrackers for some unknown reason. Grandma had a couple laying around so each of them got one...I even got one and it was a nice one.
Matthew practicing
My brother got a layover in Spokane over new years eve so we had a chance to hang out and catchup. I think the last time we had seen him was almost two years ago so it was about time.
The boys liked wearing the pilots hat, but really liked the gifts he brought and the wresting. I also enjoyed the Rum from Nicaragua (where he was a couple days before).
Even though it was only 5 degrees we went out sledding. This run by my brother ended in pain and the run by me also ended in pain. Good thing the kids were not riding when we decided to go over the bumps.
Here is Joel right before a run down with both of the boys. I think the tube got popped on this run was well. Rubber is only so elastic when it is that cold.
Finally it is yours truly. I am rarely in picture, for good reason, but this time Brenda had the camera and she was clicking away.
