We had Jacob's birthday party a little early this year so he could have one before all the Christmas hoop-la starts. He shared the party with one of his neighbor buddy's that also has a birthday in December. We had a "military" birthday party them at the park by our house. They had a little boot camp session with your's truly as the drill instructor. Also an obstacle course team relay, scavenger hunt and a Nerf gun battle.

We tried updating our family pictures at the park today. I think these 4 out of the 150 we took turned out pretty good. Thanks Maria for your photography work!

 

There may have been a little smack-talk going on here.

 

Of course Tyler found the grandma that would let him sit on her lap and feed him cheese-puffs.

Sorry I've been slacking on the Blog. Between traveling for work and everything else, I've just gotten behind. I'm glad my traveling is over with for a while. Now Kristin is gone a few days.

The boys are doing great. They both had a bit of a stomach bug over Thanksgiving weekend, not that it slowed them down any during the day, but both threw up at least once during the night. Both are supper excited for Christmas. We got our tree up and Clyde the elf is back to keep an eye on the boys for Santa, so we've had better than usual behavior around here.

  The boys school pictures.

  The boys started back with soccer.

Both did great for the dentist. Jake has lost 2 teeth so far. One is coming back in and two more are loose.

 Happy Thanksgiving!

 

  The right side of our tree is a little heavy on the ornaments for some reason?

This is what I have to look forward to when Kristin travels!

We went to Idaho to celebrate Grandma Gretchen's 70th birthday. The boys had a great time seeing Grandma and playing with the cousins. It was pretty chilly and the VanSant boys from San Diego weren't quite ready for the cold weather, but had a good time none the less. We are back home in mid 70 degree weather. Mom is at a work conference this week so the boys and I are holding down the fort which has all the new pipes installed and the new master bath is getting started this week.

 Jake finally got 5 total blue days for good behavior, so as promised we went to Chuck-E-Cheese and his good buddy Maddox met him there.

 The boys got to go up to meet the captain and see the airplane cockpit after our flight to Seattle. They promptly let the captain know they fly airplanes all the time.

  The cousins got a new puppy. Tyler lost the tug-a-war battle with his sweatshirt sleeve.

Their cousins also had a zip-line they boys had fun on.

All the monkeys... I mean cousins in a tree.

  The oldest cousin Cody, keeping the others safe crossing the street.

  Playing sports

  Went to watch Cody play ice hockey

Grandpa Mike keeping Ty warm.

 

  Grandma Gretchen's re-baptism

  Grandma's birthday party

Back at home where it's warm!!

Another Halloween in the books. We had a great night, especially since it was on a Friday and didn't have to worry about school the next day. Halloween is awesome in our neighborhood!!

  Presley and the Dawson girls came over to carve Jack-o-lanterns.

 

The kids took a Jack-o-lantern carving break to go on a night golf cart ride with our neighbor Brian.

 

Jake wanted to be a ninja again this year and Tyler wanted to be Iron-man.