Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Christmas in NC - Clara's View

Hi Granma!
Yummm, nummies!
Do you want Mama to hold your money Jack?  Nope.  (He says nope a lot now)
Helping Aunt June unpack her stocking
The two Carl's
Feeding the chickens
Texture garden, introducing Ben to Lamb's Ear
Love those boots!
All sorts of transportation options at Granmas house!
Tromping through the field, hunting for golf balls
Look what I found Mama!
Well, I see the merits of your car Jack, but it lacks the freedom and maneuverability of my motorcycle.
Beware of Baby, Ben.  He might look sweet and whistle to you and say nice things, but he'll turn on you in a second!
Ima gonna get you!
Jack and Ben, awwwwwww
Who's that on the roll phone Jack?
Hey, have you guys had a chance to check this book out yet?
Here, take a look, you won't regret it!

We had such a lovely time visiting.  We missed a couple members of the family, it's tough synching schedules around the holidays.  Next visit!  Josh, Susan & the boys made it down for the day and everyone had a ball tramping all over the place, exploring and discovering.  The boys had the cutest boots!  Thanks for hosting everything Granma!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Christmas in North Carolina - A's View

On the way to North Carolina

My increasingly scarce cuddlebug
Here are some trains you can play with Jack
You need to load the wood on the back of the cars
Love that expression!


So, that's all I've got.  I was in the kitchen cooking during the festivities, so I was unable to take pictures.  Thankfully, mom had her camera going, so I'll have a post with her pictures coming up!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Christmas in Virginia

Grandad with Santa & his elf on Christmas Eve
Pants for a hat, new trend for '12, you saw it here first
Jack's eyes lit up and he knew that trike was for him 

Jack helped everyone else open their gifts and then helped clean.  So glad he got the neat gene that obviously missed me!
I wrapped Matthew's gift in packing tape this year.  Last year he wrapped Jordan's in a bottle and super glued it and used 3 or 4 different tapes all over it, he had to break out a knife to get to his gift.  Jordan had a plan for the wrapping this year but it didn't work out, next year he shall get his revenge!  Bwahahahahaaaaaa!
Well hey there Mr. First Christmas playing with brothers gift instead of opening yours!
Clackety clack clack
My first stocking!

Such happiness to be outside with a stick and a dog (out of frame)
Why yes, yes you are
Cousins bonding, can't wait for #3 of the Chauncey-Colville wing of the family!
Cousin jungle gym
Guitar lessons
Look at that sweater all filled with love!
Love in every stitch
Hey Carl, you have a gift over here.  But, but there's coasters over here, soooooo...

Ron, Ron, Ron Weasley... 

Friday, January 13, 2012

Catch Up

Hey guys!
   Sorry I haven't updated.  I've tried, I really have, but I'm having a lot of trouble with Blogger and uploading photos.  My posts keep getting deleted and now I'm frustrated. So, I thought I would do a text update to catch you guys up until I attempt the pictures again.
    We had a most lovely Christmas in Virginia & North Carolina.  It was Carl's first Christmas and he was totally oblivious to it.  Next year will be a fun year!  Jack had a blast this year, he did seem to have a hard time with the fact that not all the presents were for him.  He was a most excellent unwrapping helper though. We had a ton of fun visiting with all the family, we miss everyone so much!  We had a loaded up car on the way home, we were spoiled! 
    I got a sewing machine!!!  I'm planning to work on getting the craft room sorted.  I've been trolling Craigslist hoping that someone will have an old desk they want to get rid of so I have somewhere to put my new sewing machine.  No dice so far, but I'm not giving up!  We moved Carl in with Jack, so I can work on projects during their nap.  I'm trying to get all my craft ideas in one place so I can see what I need to be on the lookout for to be able to make things.  I can't wait to get a table & start!
    There was a crack in the living room floor that was causing a leak that was coming up through the carpet.  This has been a problem since we moved in over a year ago.  When I pointed it out to the maintenance guy on his annual inspection (pointed it out twice, they come every 3 months) he apparently thought I was stupid and we were just tracking water in from the backyard.  Oooooookay.  Finally after I pointed it out again on a dry day after a long dry spell, the guy finally took me seriously enough to bring it up to the leasing office for repair.  Took a while, but finally just after Thanksgiving, over a week the inside and outside was fixed.  Anywho, whole reason for this boring story is that they sent someone over to clean the carpet and since we had to move all the furniture out we decided to change things up a bit.  Since we moved Carl and Jack in the same room we thought it would be best to take all the toys out of their room so they would actually, you know, sleep.  So now, the front corner of the living room is the play area and it's working out great!  We got a chest from Pete and it's great having storage for the toys.  I want to spruce the chest up a bit but I lack talent with painting so I'm hoping something will come to me that doesn't require artistic talent.  Any ideas? 
    I hope to get more pictures up soon.  I'm so far behind I'm not sure if I should put the backed up posts or just start new.  What do you think?

Fresh & clean
After a little play time