Part 2 and Birthdays

Below are the boys in uniform as regularly seen around our house.  I thought I would start the off as competitors and rivals although that may not be a good thing in the end.  There is nothing like a little competition to get the blood pumping.  James likes the Seachickens and it is most likely because I don't like them.  He can be very contrary and regularly says he loves whatever I don't.  I have not found out how to use this to my advantage and am just trying to break him of that habit.

These two are the best two boys you could ask for.

James made me a coupon book for Christmas.  Brenda says it was all his idea, but I wonder where he came up with it.  He actually does give pretty good backrubs and I plan on cashing in on "get you a drink" and "shovel the driveway" very soon.

Now for the crowning jewel of Christmas....The Turducken.  I boned the duck and turkey and had some duck from this years hunting left over so I thought I would give the turducken a try.  It turned out great and gave us lots of food for all our friends that came over.

Jim got James and Matthew some coin collecting books and James had a hoot.  Looking at all the dates and finding the shiny coins kept him busy for a few hours and also kept Jim pretty busy.

There was a break in the weather and a little warming trend that made the snow just right for making a snowman.  He ended up being 7' tall and they boys loved to make it.

I took some time off over Christmas and Brenda thought it would be a good idea to go roller-skating.  I thought that was a good idea as well, but I should have known that they would not have my size skates.  I pulled daddy duty (also known as parenting) and watched Sierra while Matthew, James and Brenda tore it up on the rink.

The kids love the bath time. 

Opened a few late Christmas gift of super hero masks and capes.  Masks and capes or costumes are standard attire any time of day at our house.  They are also considered PJ's at times.

Matthew turned 4 recently and he wanted to go to the train place and have a party.  It is more of an older guy and nerd clubhouse so I don't think parties are really available for parties, but we did go to the train place and brought some cupcakes for the members of the model railroad club.  Notice the birthday ribbon he wore and of course he was in full costume.

Both of these boys could spend a lot of time at the clubhouse and it is really detailed.  I see something new every time I go there.

Then it was time to go back home and eat more cupcakes.

Sierra is so much like her mother it is scary.

We went away that weekend to Helena for a work training thing and was able to stop in a see a few friends.  It is amazing how fast kids make friends and get used to their new surroundings.

Then it was off to grandma and grandpas house in Bozeman for the weekend and celebration of Sierra's birthday.  There is only so much you can do with a 1 year old, but we tried all the same.  We went to a Manhattan Christian B-ball game and saw them invoke the 40 point rule because they were beating their opponents so badly.

She was pretty good at getting most of the cake in her mouth, but really concentrated on the frosting.  Who can blame her.

Look at that cutie.

December part 1

I am so far behind on the photo uploads that I think I will have to put December into two separate posts and then in the second I will bring it up to date.

 

The end of the month had me at work for a bit till about December 20 and then our contractor left the site.  what all of the cold temps in the area did make was a lot of ice.  That meant that before work was done, I had time to do some ice fishing with my co-worker.  We did not catch too much, but we did get to grill out, watch Monday night football, and drink a beer or two.  Now if that is not American and I am not sure what is.

Here is a little photo of the setup and the fun.  It was very cold that night, but having a BBQ and a heater made it very nice.

When my parents were out it was my dad's birthday.  We told him he could go anywhere he wanted and he chose to go to Chuck e cheese.  I think the look on a grandchild's face must be a world of difference because I would have said no right away, but my dad could not.  That place is a petri dish of bacteria.  Luckily, my immune system has been subjected to constant doses of kiddo germs, but my dad unfortunately has not.  On the way back home to Montana the next day....the germs kicked in and made for a very rough ride.

I thought with all of the snow we got during this season it was a good time to get the Z50 out and tow the kids up and down the street.  James and Matthew love it, but I have yet to get Sierra out on the sled.  Mom made me promise not to put her on it and under fear for my own life, I have kept that promise.

Work was kind of slow and that let me stay home a couple off days and take on some more "mom" duties.  I was able to watch the kids while Brenda ran errands or helped out her parents get the house ready to move in.  Sierra loves here bouncy chair hung from the ceiling and fell asleep in it.  I sent this picture to Brenda and her first question to me was did you put her in her bed after she fell asleep.  Of course I could not move something so precious, so I made it clear that when I am in charge...I am in charge and don't need to be second guessed.  I then waited 5 minutes and moved her to her bed.  I am a man dang it and I will do what I please.

This is what Sierra looks like 50% of the time she is awake.

Then it was time for some Christmas photos in front of the tree.  We once again went to the woods to get a tree.  We were not to picky this year since Brenda and I were both recovering from the belly bug and walking out in the wood looking at trees was not high on my priority list at the time.

Brenda gave Sierra a cabbage patch doll for Christmas.  I am sure she does not know how lucky she is to get the real thing and not a flower patch kid.

I could care less about opening gifts, but when you have kids it is so much fun to watch them enjoying it.  We don't go hog wild with the kids spending all sort of money and you really don't have to.  Kids like everything it seems.

Both of the boys get football uniforms and helmets which is what they really wanted.  For $30 a piece you  can make a kids Christmas and give them fun for years to come.  Those uniforms did not get off of their bodies for 4 days(and nights).

Matthew got the pie in the face game and that produced hours of enjoyment for the boys.  They even tried to play the game with their helmets on. 

 

To be continued...