It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

You can only dress them up like little elves and reindeer so long, we are taking full advantage of this time and gathering lots of evidence for later to remember our little cuties.

SNOW!!!!

We got our first snow fall a few weeks ago.  It wasn't much at all, just enough to dust the grass.  We bundled Sam up fast and sent him out to play before the snow melted (and it was gone within a few hours).

Art-full House

I couldn't wait for Sam to start making artwork.  I'd love to keep ever little piece he makes, but I would have to rent a storage unit at this rate.  So I am starting to snap photos of him with his masterpieces in bulk; then I keep a few, reuse a few as wrapping paper, and then, yes, recycle a few.  He enjoys using all the different materials at preschool and is learning so much.  We work with him a lot at home and he has just learned to write his name, recognizes all the letters of the alphabet and his numbers up to16 so far.  We are very proud of all he's learned in the last year.  Can't believe he's almost 3!  The other day I told him I was going to put a brick on his head so he'd quit growing, we want him to stay just as he is...at least a little while longer.

Zekaroo

That's the one of the nicknames he's acquired so far.  He's a smiley guy and quite the little ham.  Time is flying and he is growing way too fast already.

1LT Breitbach

He won't boast about it, so I will.  Hans got promoted, so he's no longer at the bottom of the officer ladder. We are very proud of Hans' accomplishments! Sam got the honor of "pinning" on Hans' new rank.  He even made sure he gave a final push to make sure the patch did not fall off.  And, no, we did not ask Sam to stand at attention, it's just obvious he watches everything his daddy does. 

Grandpa Bob, Grandma Cathy, and Grandma Mary!

Hans' parents and grandma were able to come see us and meet Zeke at the beginning of November.  They were here for only a few days, but we were able to do a lot in a little amount of time.  We took them to see part of the ocean, went to Cabela's (Sam's choice, to show them the animals), spent time in Seattle, visited and ate at the Space Needle, and spent lots of time catching up.  Living so far from home, we cherish the time we get when loved ones visit.

 No, we did not purchase these hats at Cabela's, the boys put them on just for Grandma Cathy (she LOVES hats).

Just Me and My Brother

These two get a kick out of each other.  Zeke and Sam enjoy watching one another equally.  Zeke's smile melts Sam's heart and Sam's goofy faces light up Zeke's face. Zeke may have been born in WA, but both boys are very proud Iowans and always will be!