January

Nothing like trying to shingle a roof and having two dudes throw nuts at you...  ha ha!!  They're so silly!  :o)

 Nothing makes kids go crazy like play-doh!

 Evan and Ryan love to take their shovels around the woods and see what they can whack on.  The best day was when they can find lots of ice and break it into little pieces.  Ryan shows off his chunk.

 Evan too!

 I got an air popper to make popcorn for my birthday, and the boys absolutely love to watch it perform its magic!

 Such a great help to have two expert sock-matchers on hand!

 Ethan's first experience in the Wal-Mart play zone.  He certainly fit right in, bouncing from one activity to the next.

 Ethan watching Daddy get read for work in the morning.  There is something about this angle and this boy that is too funny to us!

 Here is the beginning of the snow fall for the storm where we were expecting about a half a foot of snow.  And then it stopped right after it started, and that was it.  Oh, the weather!  At least Evan enjoyed some of the big flakes while they lasted.  :o)

December

We had an unseasonably warm December day, so we had a bonfire and at dinner outside.

 Ethan was supposed to be sleeping, but instead decided he needed a wardrobe change.

 The boys participated in the Christmas program at church this year.  Evan was a shepherd, and Ryan was the donkey who led Mary and Joseph around. 

 Biker dude!

 Evan and Ryan took another trip to the Baltimore Aquarium, one of their most favorite places!

 It was also nice enough outside to browse around the Inner Harbor and visit this submarine.

 One of the big events in kindergarten is building gingerbread houses.  I was able to visit Evan's class and help him with this masterpiece.  He was so proud of his pretzel porch!

 Evan's first trip to the deer stand with Daddy.

 Uncle Jared needed some help driving deer out of the woods.  Looks like the right crew for the job!

 Ethan all dressed up for the Christmas Eve service.

 Christmas morning loot.  Mostly books, a few new friends, and a fun floor piano for Ethan.

 Evan was enamored with his new microscope.

 Ryan fell in love with this spotted jaguar in the store, and was so happy to have it home with him on Christmas day.

 Halmoni helping the boys open their stockings.

 The new tent was hiding upstairs, and the boys were so excited to have a Christmas night sleepover in it.

 We spent the day after Christmas in Wilmington with the entire Judy family.  After a day of non-existent naps, we did not expect Ethan to stay awake and make lots of noise on the dark ride home, especially when the other two sacked out right away.  Silly goose!

 The Saturday after Christmas is usually the extended Hertzog family party in Pennsylvania.  I intended to go by myself with my parents, but Ryan called an audible at the last minute and insisted he tag along.  He loaded up with his new books and spotted jaguar and had a wonderful day.  I'm so glad he decided to go!  :o)

 Hanging out with Pop-Pop at the party, and showing off his new Bewilderbeast from the Pollyanna.

 Ethan is getting the hang of the scooter.

 Puddle splasher!

Ev and Ry decided this was the perfect table and chairs.  Where's lunch? 

Talk about hat hair!!  :o) 

 Take down - Ethan.  Ryan takes it like a champ!

November

Evan made himself a Ry-Ry sandwich with some pillows.

There's just something about sleeping babies...  :o) 

 We took advantage of the nice fall weather and had a picnic at Brown's Branch Park.  Then we hit up the playground, where Ethan had a ball on the slide.

 Evan and Kate climbed to the top of the rock mountain to enjoy the view.

 Ryan having a blast on the beaver.

 All good news at the dentist for Ev!

 Ryan did such a great job at his first dentist appointment, and received glowing reviews as well!

 Mom-Mom joined Ev for the Thanksgiving feast at his school.  Looks yummy!

In an attempt to get some nice family photos, Ryan couldn't help but be a ham. 

 Ethan is another ham in the making!

 Ethan doing what he does best - being trouble at the doctor's office!  :o)

 It was so sunny, Ryan definitely needed two pairs of sunglasses!

Of course, Beagle needed some shades too... 

 Ethan and Ryan taking turns on the scooter.

Our fall family photo. 

My bread-tearing machines helping to make our homemade stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner. 

 And we also made a big announcement on Thanksgiving - Ethan will become a big brother in June!

We didn't manage to get a Hertzog family photo, but here is the Judy family photo, including Grandma and Grandpa. 

 Ethan playing some ball with Grandpa.

 Ev and I took a stroll around the Milford riverwalk after church.

 Evan and Ryan were so excited to start decorating for Christmas!