Rounding out 2009

I thought I would post one more blog for 2009 just to keep everything in their properly archived folder, because you know, I'm weird like that. :o) Despite the economy, we hope everyone had as wonderful a year as we did being surrounded by great family and friends!

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Ev is learning to color with his new crayons. (Not so much on the patience to sit/stand there and color yet... or ever?! Yikes!)

On Monday/Tuesday of this week, Josh and I took a trip with Ev over to see Jess, Jenn and Kate in their new house! She was really enjoying her new swing, regardless of the fact that it was like 20 degrees out! Kate has a fabulous play room in the basement, where she and Ev played with her new kitchen set.
Ev was also a fan of Kate's ball pit.

Trying to catch Kate's crazy, infectious laughter on camera:

Back at home, Evan loves to go outside. But somehow his favorite part is the drain pipe...

Testing out his first puddle. The camera cut short due to a full memory card, but it's cute nonetheless. :o)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas day was a busy day full of family and fun, and we all received many gifts that we are extremely thankful for! Evan started off the day opening some gifts at our house, including this counting and shapes cookie jar from "Aunt" Gauri.

Then we traveled to Grandmom and Grandad Judy's house for breakfast and more gifts.

After a slight wardrobe change, we went to Grandmom and Grandpop Hertzog's for even more gifts and dinner. Evan was not so hot on the gifts that took a while to unwrap and put together... :o)

"So, is this how you go down the slide?"

Getting situated...

So much fun!!

Our 2009 Christmas Family Photo. We are particularly fans of the matching sweaters! :o)

So Much Snow!!!

Watching Dad shovel so we can go out and play in the snow!

The depth on the back deck was up to Josh's knee!
Watching the cows trudge through the snow this morning.

So much snow, that even the DelDOT truck to plow the snow got stuck in front of our house! The one on the left is trying to push the other one out...

Then they tried the pull method, and were joined by a few tractors. Good state dollars at work here!

Then Ev watched on as our fantastic neighbor plowed our driveway for us. I totally messed up the video I had of Evan "brmm"ing along to it...

Evan's First Snow

Josh shoveled some of the snow off of the back deck so that we could let Evan play in it. He absolutely loved it -- well, until he fell on the deck, scraped his face and busted his lip... but here are happy times!! :o)

First Haircut

I guess at 14 months, Evan was finally ready for his first haircut. His hairskirt from his newborn days had grown a little too long for Josh's taste, so we had to get a little trim.

"Who strapped me in?!"
Working on his snorty-piggy face...

Matching snorty faces!

How to Package Yourself for Christmas

"First, you get in like this..."

"Then you kind of fold this over like so..."
"Oh dang! I will have to get back to you..."

Silliness Must Equal Happiness

Forget baby spoons -- I eat with THIS now!!

What a big boy walking around on the back deck."Wee!!"

With this big grin, he climbs the steps to the deck and we start all over again! :o)

Working on our hand-eye coordination:

Making strides

Every great once in a while, Evan will sit and "read" some of his books by himself. This usually lasts about two minutes, so I have to catch the picture rather quickly! :o)

To try to head off some cabin fever after a wet weekend, we headed out for a chilly wagon ride to visit the cows and goats. He was also having quite the fun time with the cattail that Josh gave him (which doesn't really show up in this picture that well, but Ev is proudly showing it off).
After an unfortunate timing event of opening the front door at the same second that Evan decided to lean on it, a paci and watching Dad work on the Christmas lights fixes everything!

Evan has made great strides in his walking this weekend! It's still a little Frankenstein-ish, but much more consistent. :o)

Ev the trickster... I don't know where he learns this stuff!

It's nice what Dad teaches him when Mom is working late... :o)

Getting ready for Christmas!!

We put the Christmas tree up today, and we decided to let Ev touch a little so that he was not as curious and would perhaps leave it alone...

But no... Grandmom had to keep pulling him back!
I think we have a fun (ha ha, is that the word??) month ahead of us keeping him out of it.

Lots 'o Photos

Daddy and Ev in their matching camo vests.

Nothing like learning to walk on a slippery dock with no sides. :o)
Showing off the hog.

Nice stroll with Miss Leah.

Kate helping Ev wipe up some dribble on the chin.

Kate and Ev learning to play nice.

We plopped Ev and Leah in the laundry basket to take a picture, and immediately, they both tried to bail.

Silly girls:

Kate trying to get some love on Diesel, who was not so much a fan.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent most of the Thanksgiving weekend in Preston, Maryland at Josh's uncle's house on the water. With the convenient location, I was able to go out for a lovely Thanksgiving morning kayak ride.

Getting his first pair of bunny ears from Aunt Lina. (She requested not to be photographed...)
Hanging out with Grandpop Joe.