We are still here...

...just in case you were wondering. The boys continue to grow and keep me busy. Here are a few pictures of the past couple of months.

Enjoying a little brother time.

The boys are both in "toddler beds" now, due to the fact that Zach learned to flip himself out of his crib. He hasn't learned to stay in his bed all night and we have found him in various places around the room. This was by far the cutest.

A little art time on the table. Zach is really beginning to love the camera

Best friends

January in a flash

I know some of you won't accept excuses for my blogging failure the past few months, but I will give you one just in case you are feeling gracious.

We have just finished the busiest time of the year for our little family of 4. Starting at Christmas we have a major celebration at least every 2 weeks. Elias's birthday is December 30, Ben's birthday follows 2 weeks later on January 14. My birthday is just over 2 weeks later on January 26 and then Zach's birthday is just about 2 weeks later on February 8. Throw in a bunch of extended family birthdays in January and February, along with Valentine's day...things get busy. So if you want to accept my excuse for not updating the blog, thanks!

I don't have pictures of the many birthday celebrations, but here are some others...

Elias sporting the latest style

Cubs gear on Grandma's birthday. We didn't get to visit her that day as it was -20 degrees and then some windchill on top of that. We stayed home.

Elias' new favorite sport, racquetball. He even has his own racquet (thanks to Aunt Hil!)

Zach trying to keep up.

Zach 'helping' me in the kitchen. I think Elias taught him this.

I know, it has been a while...

...but we are still alive! Some days I wonder if I will survive all the wrestling, running, tickling, screaming that two boys throw at me...good thing I grew up with a brother!

Here are a few pictures to show what we have been up to

Emmaus Basketball games. Grandma got them their own Baskeball shirts. This game was sister Kelsey's last home game. We love to watch Kelsey and that team!

Zach enjoying Christmas trees and ornaments. The jingle bell fits nicely in the mouth.

Christmas party at Emmaus

Zach's first Christmas...not too excited yet.

Elias' 2nd birthday. We had a little party in Canada at Ammachi and Appacha's house.

This is the "project' that kept me busy most of December. I beaded serving sets for the girls in our family. It was a fun gift to make.

Saturday Soccer

One of our favorite Saturday afternoon activities the past month has been going to watch the Emmaus soccer games. Usually we meet Grandma and Grandpa there and have lots of fun playing, running around, kicking our little soccer ball, eating snacks...and oh yeah, watching a bit of the game!

Helping Grandpa get the game ball

Getting a 'Grandma flip'. He loves them!

Zach being cute

Work

Morning cup of coffee...Checking my email
What a busy schedule...

The past few weeks...

We have had a fun few weeks. One beautiful Sunday afternoon we took the boys to an apple orchard that was having a fall festival. Elias loved the big boy toys. Zach just enjoyed being out.

Elias in the bounce house. He was one happy boy!

Zach can't wait to get in there with his big brother

An Iowa boy

This tractor driving is serious business

Brothers!

Reading

One of my fears of having kids was that they wouldn't like to read. We heard much advice about reading to your children daily and exposing them to lots of books....believe me, I know, I am a reading teacher! Well, Elias has proven that he loves to read. He often brings books to us to read to him. Recently, he has started to read 'all by himself'. I love to see this!

Reading his Bible one morning. He loves that book already!

A little time with Daddy.

I can't wait to start reading novels to him at night. I love this little guy!