Jeremy Lin...watch out?

The brothers decided to give basketball a try this winter...interesting choice I thought...what the heck.  Zak is a 76er and Van is a Laker.  With the lowest of expectations for our first "games", we were pleasantly surprised and impressed.  Both boys actually actively (panting included) participated.  They both scored baskets and maybe kinda, sorta dribbled the ball once or twice.  Defense seems to be their strong suit so far.  Zak even faked out the other team with an offensive rebound and then mistakenly headed to the wrong basket with everyone in tow.  He managed to double back and score.  And yes they do keep score.  Van's team won and boy were they excited.  Zak's team did not and I don't even think they knew there was a score.  Oh the fun these two find!

Technology slowing me down

New computer for Christmas has meant big learning curve for mom on the photo storage/conversion process...hence the lack of fun bloggy posts lately. 
The brothers are still crazy and happy as ever and keeping me too busy to learn how to document and file their latest antics.  Lots of Skylander Giants, snow day fun, basketball season and just plain comedy.  
Promise to keep plugging at it and get it going soon. 
Happy 2013 to all and here's to some more snowy wintry cheeks coming your way!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

...and don't these brothers know it!  They are truly in the spirit of Christmas this year.  Really understanding the concept of giving much more and excited to make and buy presents for one another and friends.  But of course furiously counting down the days till Santa arrives with presents for them too.  Our elf, Blue has been busy finding new spots to appear every day and keeping the behavior mostly in check.   With barely one week left, we'll see which one breaks down first to reveal their gift to each other.  Keeping secrets is a lot harder than you'd think around for these two.

Catching Up

Zak's birthday celebration concluding with his first airplane ride since the trip home from China.  We surprised the boys with a trip to Texas for Thanksgiving.  And what amazing travelers they were...they actually got invited into all four cockpits and chatted with the pilots and tried to push all the buttons...it was great fun.  Texas was a giant funfest thanks to Fairy Godmother Beth and Uncle Dan and all their Texas hospitality, fun planning and goodies.  Legoland, Turkey Day, Redskins football at the incredible new Dallas stadium, a zipline ride, a Chinese Lantern festival.  Zak has proclaimed that when he grows up he will be living in Texas and since he's already declared himself a Cowboys fan that should work out fine.  Next up Christmas...gonna be hard to beat after all that fun. 

Five year old fun!

Zak is turning 5 and loving every minute of it!  He is such a character with his strong opinions, his silly smiles and his zest for life.  He tells it like it is, he talks non-stop, he loves to laugh, he adores his brother beyond belief and has more friends than anyone can count.  Joyful, funny, loving Zak...we can't wait to see what you will do this fun five year old year.  We love you to "infinity and even more".  

Zak is turning 5 and loving every minute of it!  He is such a character with his strong opinions, his silly smiles and zest for life.  He tells it like it is, he talks non-stop, he loves to laugh and he adores his brother beyond belief and has more friends than he can count.  Joyful, funny, loving Zak...can't wait to see what you will be this fun five year old year.  We love you to infinity and even more.

Fall Fun!

This crazy busy time of year is always one of our favorites.  Gotcha Day, Halloween, Zak's birthday, Thanksgiving and the countdown to Christmas.  If you know our boys you know their enthusiasm for an average day is usually off the charts so you can only imagine the excitement that surrounds this season.  It's non-stop, it's loud, it's wild and it makes us thankful beyond words.

Gotcha Year Two

Gotcha Day year two for our little Zak...so amazing to think it's been two years.  Seems like yesterday and seems like forever ago at the same time.  We had lots of fun looking back through all the photos and talking about our trip.  It was pajama day for Zak at school so that was extra special fun.  His special present-a new belt...yup, a belt. The boy that came to us storing plums in his pockets and just this week stuffed a ball of silly putty into his blue jeans now insists on wearing a belt for every occasion.  He is our character, our funny guy, our adored "lil man" as Van likes to say.  We simply cannot imagine our family without him.