Pre-Christmas

Since Christmas fell on my usual blogging-Sunday, I took the day off.  Then, time kind of got away from me, so here we are!  :o)  I figured doing this in small chunks was better for me since we have so many pictures and good times to talk about, so tonight will just be a small snippet of what went on before Christmas Day. 

Evan helped me wrap some presents.  He was my tape holder - little perfect-present-wrapping-sized pieces on each of his fingers!



Then Miss Gauri came over to visit and showered the boys with presents.  Evan was thrilled to get this Cars activity pack - complete with stickers, crayons, paints, and activity books.

Using his paints to make this Christmas tree picture extra colorful.

Evan and Ryan chatting it up with Uncle Tim on Christmas Eve after church.

This has nothing to do with Christmas, other than happening during this past week, but Evan was quite taken with these witch fingers.  A tad creepy in my opinion...  :o)

I will try to post more as the weekend approaches, but I can make no promises as we are busy, busy beavers!!  :o) 

We hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas!!!

Almost Christmas...

Evan did a great job helping Mom-Mom and Dad-Dad decorate their Christmas tree!  He got his stool to put the ornaments "up high so Ryan won't get 'em."  Damage control.  Good thinking, Ev!  :o)

 Then Ev helped Mom-Mom decorate Christmas cookies.  This was good therapy for me, as sprinkles were everywhere and all I could hear was the little noise of sprinkles hitting the floor... constantly...

 Then we wised up and went with the dip method.  Evan had such a ball helping!  And he did a great job with consuming only one cookie and one hershey kiss.

 Of course, Ryan would have been a disaster helping with the cookies, so we bundled him up and took him outside.  Silly face.  He kept turning away as I tried to take his picture...

 Mom-Mom helping him with those darn mittens that he kept pulling off.

On Friday, Ryan went for his 15 month check up.  He measured 32 inches long (50-75%) and weighed in at 23 pounds 4 ounces (25-50%).  With 12 teeth and TONS of babbling (including actual words and animal sounds), Mr. Ry-Guy is a healthy, happy boy!  :o)

We love trains!

On Friday, we met the Judy clan at Longwood Gardens to let the kiddos enjoy the lights.  Evan definitely enjoyed smelling all of the flowers and watching the various waterfalls.  I was hoping he and Leah would not take a dive...

It's hard to see them in the dark, but Evan and Ryan are at the bottom of the next photo enjoying the trains that were lit up outside.

 The bigger kiddos playing so nicely. 

 Heidi thinks she's playing "Go Fish" too... :o)

 Then on Saturday we headed to the Brandywine Museum, where Evan got to enjoy yet more trains.  It's definitely one of his new obsessions...

 And a giant bunny lived outside!

 We tried to get all of them in the shot...  the bunny wasn't very conducive to "prop the kids and run"!

 Earlier in the week, Ryan quite enjoyed "being taken for a walk" with this lovely snake.

Here, let's show you!!  :o)

And because I love my boys to match...  :o) 

(I've been told I'm weird, and I've accepted that!) 

Happy December!!

The Hertzog family got together today to try to take a family photograph.  9 of 10 looking is the best I got on my camera...  way to go, Caden!!  :o) 

 And Evan isn't looking in the cousins picture...  Ryan looks like he's getting ready to punch somebody!  (Probably me since I kept putting him back on the blanket...)

 The boys with Pop-Pop and Halmoni.

 On Friday, Evan helped Dad-Dad replace the battery in my car.

"Wrench?  Check!"  Such a good helper!  :o)

Some sandbox time. 

Bouncing boys! 

Helping Dad-Dad fill up the bird feeders.

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Thanksgiving day, the older kiddos went to pick apples at Jared's work.  Check out this working crew!

Getting some help from Mom-Mom with the apple-picker. 

 A little apprehensive bite...

The professional pickers! 

Ryan collecting rocks. 

 The kiddos enjoying Leah and Isaac's playground.

 Boys on the see-saw.

 Table for playing...

 Turns into table for eating!  Kids' table at its finest!  :o)

 Ry enjoying some snuggles with Aunt Erica.

 Leah and Evan as the cutest pilgrims.

 Then we went to Aunt Lina's house on Friday for another Thanksgiving dinner.  Ryan couldn't leave Annabelle alone.

 Post-dinner nap with Pop-Pop.

Evan's annual job is helping Daddy put up the lights on the Christmas tree. 

 Then he got hot and had to take off his pants...

 He did a great job spacing out the ornaments this year.  Such concentration...  :o)

Ryan looking so grown up.  (Crinkling this package of fruit snacks helped keep Ryan off the tree for a bit... just a bit!) 

This is how Ryan likes going down the slide...  and he gets right back up and keeps on truckin'!

More fall fun!

Evan loves loves LOVES his Miss Gauri!!  :o)

Isaac and Leah were down this weekend, so we ventured outside to tussle in the leaves.  As any kid would, Leah enjoys the big pile of leaves at the end of the slide. 

Evan helps rake up the pile for the next trip down the slide. 

Trampoline time! 

 Post-outside snack time.  Puffs and cheddar whales - yummy!

 Learning to play "Go Fish" with Mom-Mom.  I don't think they quite get it, because they prefer to "go fish" than get the card they requested!  :o)