New Years Eve

Right after dark we braved the cold and snow and took the kids out to bang pots and pans and say "Happy New Year!"  We all had fun.  We also checked out the new lights Daddy hung in the barn; he did a great job!

Visit with Great Grandpap Cowan

Most likely telling Great Grandpap something about Star Wars. 

Getting down to some Daddy and Grandpa jammin'

Joy was giggling with grandma for a moment, of course by the time I tried to take a picture she was on the move!

Snow

Paul loves to shovel snow!

The snow wasn't very good for making a snow man, so we made a snow volcano instead.

XBox Kinect

We decided it was time for the XBox Kinect.  It is great winter time exercise for us, and Paul loves it!  Here are Paul and Shawn playing darts.

Oglebay

We had lots of fun at Oglebay today.  We  played in the inside parts of the zoo: the model train, the reptiles and other indoor animals, and the toys.  We watched the laser show.  Paul loved it, but it was really hard to get him not to dance like crazy.  Joy seemed to like it too.  Then we drove through some of the lights.

Big Box

A big box is a great opportunity to color with chalk!

Day after Christmas Snow

Paul got a new snow suit from Grandma Cowan; it fit just right.  Joy has Paul's old snow suit on...it's pretty small!  

It just seemed like what one would write with a snow marker. (As well as Paul and Joy a dozen times and pictures of puppies and smiley faces.)

Christmas Day

 Playing Santa

Family!

Roller Skates! 

Some great smiles from the lady who doesn't like to smile for pictures!

Major construction with Grandpa

Joy took a little while to adjust after her nap, but she sure liked that soft Thumper!

Paul quickly went form not able to stand up at all on roller skates to being able to zip around.  I got mine from the barn; they were way to small!  I guess my feet did really get a lot bigger after I was pregnant!  Bummer, because it was a lot of fun to skate around with Paul.

Joy had to try them out too.

Christmas Morning

The night before Christmas, Paul was up from about 2:45 until 4:15.  He laid in bed but was just up.  Fortunately, after that, the kids slept until after 7:00.  They were both super excited when they saw the trees and presents.  We put straw in Baby Jesus's manger and welcomed him. Then they started opening presents.  Paul kind of liked his presents, but he was really only just concerned about getting Star Wars something or other. 

Metal detector

"I hope it's not more gum," said the kid who loves gum.

I think Joy liked the chocolate best of all

and her princess cup.

She put her chocolate in her new princes bowl and was trying to eat it with her new princess fork.

Paul and Joy, watching an appropriate YouTube clip about the Ewoks from Star Wars.  Shawn gave Paul his Ewok village (Ebay price, $199) and some toy Ewoks and Chewbacca.  That was his favorite present.

The metal strips in our flooring cause lots of racket!