A Star is born

This Sunday Elijah was in our church's annual Christmas play, performed by all of the kids in the church. He played the important role of Sheep, along with all of the other two year-olds. Eli took it upon himself play the more specific role of "lost sheep," and happily trotted around the stage and out into the crowd during the performance. I guess I didn't think of the fact that my kid might one day be "that kid," you know- the one who doesn't follow the script and has his own agenda.

I couldn't have been prouder. :)

Eli the sheep

(one little girl thought she was a cow and mmoooed during the whole performance)

Notice my son staring at all of the little conformists sitting on the stage

The Sunday School lady "helping" Eli back to his spot....hehe.

Catching up

I was out of town on business last week, so I took Monday off of work to be with the family. Eli, Debbie and I spent the afternoon decorating Christmas cookies.

This is a random photo of Matthew tucked into his car seat...I just didn't want him to feel left out.

Christmas Tradition

This past Sunday our house trekked up to the mountains for our annual Christmas tree cutting. The mountains were laden with a fresh fallen snow, and the scenery was fantastic. Elijah had a great time playing in the snow and helping to decorate once we got home. All in all, a day well spent.

Here's our tree before we ripped it from it's earthly sanctuary. Aren't Christmas traditions wonderful? :)

Eli had a blast in the snow.

Matthew wasn't so sure about the cold at first, but he settled in.

Mom and Eli decorating the tree.

Thanksgiving

The family had a great Thanksgiving this year! We started the day off by taking some meals to elderly folks in our neighborhood who couldn't get out of their house for the holiday. The afternoon was spent at my father's. Debbie cooked up a PHENOMENAL meal for us and a couple of guests. All in all, a very relaxing, restful day. Here are some photos for you:

Debbie and the boys reclining after a good meal

The Thanksgiving crew: Debbie, Dad (trying to sport his Bills sweatshirt), Eli, Matthew, and our friends Ed and Nathan. Yours truly was taking the picture...

Elijah and Dad reclining after a long meal

The holidays seem to put Matthew in a good mood.

Weekend getaway

We spent some much needed "family time" together this weekend. I was helping a friend work on his parents' new home in the Stillwater Valley on Saturday, and Debbie and I have a friend who has a cabin up that way. So we spent Saturday evening and Sunday tucked into a cozy cabin hideaway in the mountains. We forgot the camera (sorry, no pictures), but had a great 24 hours relaxing together.

Matt, if you're reading this, thanks a bunch for your hospitality!

Just the family and 175 high schoolers

This weekend the family made its annual pilgrimage to Great Falls, MT. Every year the Montana District of Key Club (a high school service organization) asks me to do a presentation at their state-wide conference. It's turned into a good weekend away for our family, just relaxing together and enjoying the hotel pool. Plus, a lot of the kids that we went to Florida with this summer were also there this weekend, so Eli got to see some of his old pals. He naturally made himself right at home with all 175 high school kids. Matthew was a big hit to. :) Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Debbie and Matthew getting quality time

Dad and Eli mastering the the art of "self-photography"

Eli mastering the art of flirting to get food

Matthew with a Key Clubber, pre-puke

Matthew with a Key Clubber, post-puke

Eli hanging out with tons of high school kids (can you find him?)

My beautiful, picturesque, lady-like wife and I

Fall Festivities

The family has had a fun week enjoying the cool Montana fall season. Last weekend we went out to a local farm to take a hay ride, pick out some pumpkins and wander through a corn maze. Then of course there was "dress your kids up in stupid costumes day"...A.K.A. Halloween. Here are some pictures:

Debbie and Eli enjoying the hay ride...Matthew is the lump under Debbie's sweater.

Pickin' out punkins

Carvin' the Punkins

Eli tellin' Ma how to draw a face on the Punkin

Eli was a plane for Halloween. Debbie and I made the costume. It actually turned out pretty good, and Eli got a kick out of it

Matthew was a dinosaur. Those who have been around may remember the Dinosaur ensemble from Eli's first Halloween

Two of our little housemates looked pretty cute too