SANTA!!

Turns out Sam LOVED Santa at the mall this weekend- he ran up and gave him a HUGE hug. A big thank-you to Grandma (& Grandpa) Aho for pictures!

Down on the farm...

The week before Thanksgiving Sam and Ryan and I packed up and headed out to the farm for an extended stay while Daddy was off hunting. The boys did wonderfully travelling- something I had been quite worried about. Gatfly and Boppa got a good taste of Sam's "two'ness" though he was pretty good most of the time for being so out of his element. It was so nice to be able to spend that time and we thank them so much for everything! I'm also glad Ryan got to meet and spend a little time with his extended Bacon/Hansen family too (see previous post). One of the high-lights of Sam's week was going in the combine with Uncle Roger- he's still talking about it and gets a huge smile! We may have a future farmer on our hands! Now we're looking forward to our December visit with Uncle Josh, Auntie Debora and cousin Thomas when they're home from Germany- should be good times!



Post-popcorn snuggles with Gatfly.



Come on up mom!



Bye bye Rog!



Sam's view from in the combine (we went at dusk...)



I go in the combine now!



Project time! While Gatfly and Great Auntie M made lefse, Sam made pine-cone bird feeders for the dogs...I mean the birds...



Yes, he licked the pine cone.



So proud!



Lucy likes peanut butter too...I'm not sure I hung the first couple high enough...



Ryan supervised the lefse process, taking notes for future reference.



Sam trying out his new barn clothes.



Wash my boots! (he also wanted the knee of his pants washed off- kneeled in poo...)



Sam's on quality control...



Supervising Boppa.



You may carry me home now.

Ryan meets the Hansen Clan

I'll have to see if Gatfly got pictures of our visit with Heidi, Paul and Anna...



Ryan meets Old Boppa.



Finally stopped screaming long enough for a picture (bad timing of the visit I'm afraid!).



Sam likes this dog- she's more his size than the dogs at the farm! (Mary's new dog Claire)



Ryan and his Great Auntie M



What big eyes you have!



Supervising Old Boppa's workout



Working hard...

11/16

Ryan and I took our first hike today on a local trail- reminded me of the cross-country trails.





The 'trail-head' as Mike and Mara would say... :o)



Ryan didn't have much of a view but didn't seem to mind.



Grandma's boys!





Sam is a VERY good helper!





Ryan's starting to spend much more time with his eyes open exploring his world.

Two Weeks?!

A week (+) in review

Attempt at a family portrait with the timer...



I hold the baby daddy!



Cheese!




Hmm...contemplating life...



Mom...horizontal stripes are so not slimming...



Roarrr...



Daddy's boys!



Ohm...



My little lambs!



Baa



Great Grandma Ele stopped by with Debbie, Darren and Derek on their way to the Packer Party (the other picture with all of them didn't turn out...)



Daddy's hands look so big!



Shh baby!



Daddy's helper- he got a little rake and was helping...

It's hard to believe that we've been home for over a week- it's been a blur so far. Sam seems to be adjusting pretty well most of the time- has his moments but then again he's sneaking on 2 1/2 so it's to be expected. It's helped that he goes to day-care (we have to pay to save a spot for Ryan, so he might as well go and have "normal" time). Ryan has been doing really well too, sleeping pretty good at night though he likes to cluster-feed which can be a bit tiring at times. Mom's doing pretty good- feeling much better for the most part than I did with Sam! And Daddy has been awesome with the boys!!! Momma loves all her boys!