Santa Rocks!

Just look at the size of this sucker Santa left in my stocking! Mommy NEVER lets me have this much sugar! Open it, open it now! I can't wait to eat it. I won't need to take a nap today, everyone, 'cause I'll be all reved up!

I've Been a Very Good Boy!

Just look what Gram and Pop gave me for Christmas! My own tractor with bucket! A John Deere! I also got a hay baler attachment for it, and a hay wagon for hauling my toy round bales around the parlor. So cool! THANK YOU! This totally makes up for the Christmas sweater you are making me wear to church tonight.

The Snow Bunny

MOMMY! Where are my crampons? Didn't you buy crampons? How am I supposed to ice climb with no crampons! And I need an ice ax too! Hurry up!

The Gingerbread Baby

"What you think this icing, Aunt Kate? I want eat all this icing up!" Thanks for helping me decorate the gingerbreads. Mommy and I made boys, girls, and buffaloes. So Christmasy!

Let it snow!

Whoa, just look outside, Uncle Al!!! It's snow! Just like in my books! I've never seen snow before! Can we go out there? Did you bring this with you from South Dakota???

I'm thankful for my cousins!

I am so lucky to have so many beautiful girls for cousins! (No offense, Marcus and Cade, but you guys are too little to appreciate our luck!) I had so much fun playing with all of you tonight. Even though I didn't eat ANY of my aunt's turkey, I still had a blast! (photo courtesy of my cousin Susie Julian)

I'm Mater!

Can you recognize me underneath my costume? I'm Mater, the tow truck from the "Cars" movie. My mommy is a hero! She outbid all the other mommies on Ebay to find me this costume. I love Mater! I love Mommy! I love candy! I want LOTS of candy....

I Look Like "Beard Man!"

Look at me, I have a bubble-beard! I look just like my idol, Beard Man! He is really big and strong and always flips me upside down. His beard is really scratchy, not soft like mine. Mommy and Daddy call him "Jonathan," but I like to call him Beard Man. I wonder if he takes bubble baths? Tonight, mine is special--not only do I have bubbles in my bath, but Mommy colored it bright blue too!

Checking Out

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA--Well, as you can see, our vacation is coming to an end. I'm pretty relaxed. I haven't made much of an effort to do anything lately. It's more fun to hang back and let the parents do all the work.

The Sea Got Me!

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.--Finally, I have made it to the sea! I'm on a sugar-high from all the ice cream I ate at dinner, so I bolted into the waves and got really wet! Maybe Mommy will put Daddy into time-out again for failing to control me. I LOVE it when that happens!

Ah, vacation!

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.--All the stress of starting school is just too much! Mommy wisely decided to let me play hookie and took me to the beach for a little R and R. I fussed about stopping to eat dinner first--I want to play in the sea!-- but they bribed me with ice cream so they could eat dinner. It is so easy to manipulate them into giving me what I want....

Caterpillar Fight

Okay, Hannah, you're new here at "Bug School," so I'll cut you some slack this once. This climbing structure is kinda my thing, and I'm not crazy about sharing the top of it. If you weren't a cute little blonde girl, I'd have already knocked you off, but I kinda have a thing for cute blonde girls too. I think it's going to be pretty fun to be in this "Caterpillar" class with you this year.

Off to School!

Let's get going, Mommy! Everything I need for my first day of school is packed in my lunch box: chicken dino nuggets, some veggie booty, a cheese stick, and a box of juice. I'm ready! Wonder what sort of snacks they'll serve today.....Hope we're not doing crayons, I hate crayons.....That Lightning McQueen car I saw in the train table drawer at orientation better still be there waiting for me......

Noodle-mania

I've almost got it, I've almost got it! I can do it by myself! I can carry all the "nookies" (editor translation: pool noodles) back to their box without any help from you, Mommy! They are MY "nookies!" Can you count how many I have? I have ALOT!

Whose Your Daddy?!?

You may be six months older than me, Jack, but who's the baby now? I'll take you for a nice little stroll around the park, and you can relax! So glad our mommies set up this playdate. I've missed playing diggers with you and running around screaming at the top of our lungs. You and I are friends.

Hidden Picture

I am hiding somewhere in this picture. Can you find me? I don't think you can. Mommy couldn't. She looked for me for a really long time! It was so funny! She says I almost made everyone late for church.

Batter Up!

My friend Jack and I are playing baseball today in the park! It's so much fun. He brought his tee along so we can practice our hitting. He does this everyday, so he's pretty good. He's a left-handed batter. Daddy says I'm a right-handed batter, but it's much more fun to try lots of creative ways to knock it off, like this!

Fantasy Land

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA--Well, the reunion is over, and we've gone back to town. Today I'm visiting Storybook Island, which is a big park filled with nursery rhyme characters, little houses to explore, and lots of slides. My favorite slide looks like a big ice cream cone. I must have gone down it a thousand times. I also climbed up to the top of the treehouse and ran over the swinging bridge at Winnie the Pooh's house over and over and over again. I'm starting to slow down now, so I thought I'd take a break here at Snow White's. I wonder what I should do next.? Gotta decide fast, 'cause we're going home tomorrow.

Ride and ride and ride and ride and ride.....

SOMEWHERE IN THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA--Let's get this thing going! I've lost track of how many times I've circled the little zoo at Bear Country in this thing, but I'm ready to do it again. The waiting is the hardest part. They stop it now and then and wait for more kids to get on, and make the parents pay for it. Keep those dollar bills handy, Daddy, I'm not leaving anytime soon!

I love you, Cousin Abby!

CUSTER STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA--I'm so lucky to have a sweet cousin like you, Abby! We are both dressed up for the big reunion dinner at the lodge: You look pretty and I look like a cowboy! Gram got me this great outfit, and my buddy Augie sent me these rockin' red boots all the way from New Mexico!

Deer Sighting

CUSTER STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA--Whoa, cool! It's a deer! I practically hiked over it as I was running back to my cabin. I like deer. Even though it's bigger than me, it recognizes that I'm in charge and gets out of my way fast! Deer are everywhere out here. I'll have to tell Gram and Pop. They are always driving around in their golf cart looking for them, but the deer at their house are always hiding.

Skinny Dippin'

CUSTER STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA--Our hike ended at a little beach and I decided to go in the lake to cool off. Bad mommy didn't plan for this, so I have NO swimsuit. Luckily I also have no sense of modesty, so I don't mind stripping down to a diap and just plunging in. The water is pretty cold though, so I don't think I'll go out too far.

Kirby Caught Me!

CUSTER STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA--Hey, Kirby came out of nowhere and caught me as I was hiking around Sylvan Lake! "You scare me, Kirby!" At first I thought it might the be Gruffalo getting me. You know, the monster with "knobbly knees and turned out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose. His eyes are orange, his tongue is black. He has purple prickles all over his back." Thankfully my cousin looks nothing like this and I'm positive he won't eat me because he would get in a lot of trouble.

Hiking in the Black Hills

CUSTER STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA--There is so much to do at this reunion! Come follow me on a "Day in My Life in the Woods." First, I'm going hiking. I prefer to run as fast as I can down the trails. We all get there quicker when I do this. Otherwise Mommy and Daddy will just putter along and this walk will take all day.

Put me down, Cousin Andy!

CUSTER STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA--Eeeeeeh, this scary! Put me down, put me down, I'm going to fall! I'm not used to riding up really high like this. I know you are trying to help me, but I can hike back down the hill by myself. I know it's really steep, but you can hold my hand if you like. "I big mountain climber!"

Carry me, Cousin Andy!

CUSTER STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA--Well, the family reunion is underway, and I'm the center of attention! I'm trying to run around and explore the woods, but everyone keeps picking me up and loving on me. Oh, the hazards of being small and cute! Cousin Andy here is teaching me how to play baseball and "mountain climb" up the big hill behind our cabins. He is a really, really big kid and very cool. I'm lucky he wants to hang out with me.

Showdown at the Olive Garden

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA--Ha ha ha ha! You don't scare me with your tough-guy face, Cousin Kirby! You may be seven years older than me, but I'm not afraid of you! This is fun eating pizza together. I have no idea where we are, but we rode a bunch of airplanes and different cars to get here, so it must be really far from home. I saw some big "mountains" as we drove up to the restaurant, but no tall buildings. Daddy says we're here for his family reunion. I just want to do whatever you do, Kirby!

ARRRGH, Maties!

Ye be asking me permission to board, I see? This here's my ship, laddie, and Anderson here's me first mate. She's a fast ship, she is, but on the wee side, and there's little room aboard for landlubbers. I suggest ye find another ship o yer own, perhaps on the far side of this fair pool. We be leavin' soon for raidin' our mamas' diaper bags fer snacks and such.

Splashing!

Today Jack Ruckert and I are hitting one of the splash parks in Arlington. Boy, those Virginians really know how to build a park! Get a clue, District park service! We played in the big sandbox, on the swings, and now we're running through the splash area seeing who can get the wettest.

In Gram's Garden

I'm really going to miss this place! My plane for home leaves in a couple of hours, but there is just enough time for one more good rock digging in Gram's garden. She likes to dig too, so we are having alot of fun together. I like to mix the white rocks with the brown, and she likes to separate them. We're a good team. I'll miss you, Gram! I'll miss you, Pop! I'll miss you, Uncle Cody!!

Size Doesn't Matter

"I have SAME! I have ATV too, I have SAME! Look, SAME!" Yours may be bigger than mine, and go a little faster, but that's only because you are a big kid, Cousin Trent. Someday I will ride through the fields and follow the tractors and hay balers too. Just you wait and see!

Wash-tub Sandbox

There's so much to do around here I'm having trouble focusing on any one thing. Should I ride my new ATV, watch the tractors from the golf cart, or play in my new sandbox? The days are just too short here in the country. Pop bought me this great Beep (moderator translation: Bobcat mini-digger) at Tractor Supply this morning, and he's perfect for knocking over sandcastles. Thanks, Pop!

King of the Hay Bale

Well, the farmers fixed their baler. Just look what it made! "Baler spit out BIG bale hay! I sit on it!"

Broken-down Hay Baler

Oh no, we finally found a baler, and it's broken! This little tire must have fallen off. I bet I can fix it. I've watched thousands of episodes of "Bob the Builder." Can we fix it, farmers? Yes we can!

Riding with Pop

Today there are tractors EVERYWHERE bringing in the hay. Pop and I are riding out in his golf cart to watch the big balers at work. I love riding in the golf cart. We take it out every night to hunt for deer, but usually they are "hiding."

My New Twin Cousins

When Mommy said we were going to see the twins today, I assumed she meant Mia and Tia from the "Cars" movie. These adorable little guys don't look anything like them. Their names are Marcus (left) and Cade, and they are my new cousins. They are tiny now, but in another year the three of us will really raise heck at the family Thanksgiving celebration. And since I'm the oldest boy, I'll be the ringleader!

Look Mommy, no car seat!

Wheee, I bet this is illegal in all 50 states! I'm driving the truck myself! Off-road through the woods behind Pop's house. It's a really bumpy ride, which explains why Pop looks so concerned. But I'm not! I think we should go faster. If only my foot could reach the gas pedal...

Watch Out, Uncle Ronnie!

"I run over you!" This is great, I've only had my new ATV for a few minutes, and I've already run over somebody! This is my Uncle Ronnie. He is a good sport about being roadkill. He drove all the way from Atlanta today with my Aunt Barbara just to meet me, so I guess a little bump won't scare him away. He has two big boys of his own, so he must have been run over thousands of times before.

My Own ATV!

"I have own ATV! I have own, own! Real ATV! Have own ATV!" I've wanted one forever--well, like a month maybe--which is a huge percentage of my lifetime. This one is a real one that goes on it's own! All I have to do is push the little red button and steer. Pop, you are the best! (Daddy will be terrified of this thing! An added bonus...)

Hot Pursuit

Hah hah hah! I got away from the portrait session! I'm running through the yard in my good clothes! Just try to stop me now! I'm going to catch Uncle Cody and take his ball away. He's fast, but I think I'm gaining on him. Any minute now the ball will be MINE MINE MINE!

Appeasing the Grandparents

Ugh, it's Sunday morning and they've dragged me to church looking like Little Lord Fauntleroy. Now I'm forced to pose for a portrait on the swing. I will NOT put down my bulldozer for this! And I'm outta here the minute they loosen their grip....

Gram's Blinking Glasses

Whoooooo, these are cool! As you can see I'm in my pjs, and supposed to be heading off to bed, but I found these cool glasses in Gram's room and couldn't resist trying them on. I think she wears them to parties and stuff, but I'm going to see if she'll loan them to me for Halloween. No one will recognize me in these.

Chicken Out!

Well, I guess it's obvious from this picture that I'm not in the city anymore! I'm visiting Gram and Pop this week, and they have taken me to their friend Miss Deannie's house to see where eggs come from. This thing is called a chicken. Miss Deannie has lots of them. They make the eggs. I was pretty sure all eggs had Matchbox cars or candy in them because the ones the Easter Bunny brought me did, but these have yellow stuff inside. Kinda disappointing actually, but I guess that's life. At least the chickens are neat!

Aunt Kate is here!!!

Aunt Kate, it's Aunt Kate! She is visiting me all week, and boy, are we having fun! We've played cars, and gone for lots of walks. We even went to a restaurant to eat jelly beans! Mommy never takes me out for jelly beans. Today Aunt Kate bought me a little stuffed turtle at the Folger Museum and took me to watch the diggers working outside the Capitol. I wish she would stay here with me forever!

Listening for Metro Trains

Uh, I don't see anything. You guys said this was really fun, but I'm not sure how to do it. Maybe because you are three years old, and I'm only two? I just don't see the metro trains in this grate, but I do hear something really loud down there. Why don't we bag this activity and go play diggers? I see lots of dirt over there!

Goodbye, Butterflies!

I can't believe I'm all done with my first year of school! It really did fly by! My "butterfly" days are done. Next year I'll be a "Dragonfly" on Wednesdays and a "Junebug" on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I'll miss all my friends over the summer, but hopefully most of them will return next year. From left to right, in the top photo, are Jack Ruckert, Chloe, and Elisa (front row); Dylan, Fiona, Zander, and Josephine (middle row); and me and my best buddy Jack Wilson (back row).

The Very Messy Craft Project

I would NEVER be allowed to work with such potentially messy materials at home. This is very cool indeed. What is this, you ask? I am swirling food coloring through a pile of shaving cream. Later, I'll dip special paper leaves into it and create a tie-dyed effect for my leaf mobil. It's all part of learning about trees, plants, and seeds in a special class at the National Children's Museum. Anderson is here too, but he's skipping the craft in favor of playing with the blocks in the front window.

The Big Bouncy Thing

Wheeeee, this is so much fun! I can get some real air in this moonbounce, just like a monster truck jumping off a big ramp! Vrrooom, I'm a monster truck! I know the MOTH picnic only happens once a summer, but they should keep this thing up in the park all year round.

70s Flashback

Ummm, this water tastes like....lead...and dirt.....and rubber! I can't believe Anderson and I are drinking STRAIGHT FROM THE HOSE. It's not filtered, and I'd bet my stuffed tigers it's not BPA-free. I'm probably losing valuable IQ points with each sip. Mommy says she used to do this when she was a little kid, back in the days before the Internet. She must be really, really old.