Some things never change...

 The words, "Some assembly required" can signal a major project! 

 The plastic ties that keep a toy in the box are ridiculously strong and very difficult to remove.  (Drat!)

Little boys love trains.  (Thank you Grandma and Grandad!)

 

And of course, the box is always more fun than the present!  ;)

'Twas the night before Christmas...

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house...

all the creatures were stirring...

even the mouse...er... beagle!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there...

The children were nestled all snug in their snow beds...

while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads....

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!!

White Christmas! (at least 18 inches of SNOW!!)

 Playset, July 2010 (painting project)

Playset, December 2010. 

The snow is so high that it is touching the swings!  And the little cabin's roof tells the story well.

Today was supposed to be our last day of school before Christmas break.  School was cancelled.  Logan was excited, but also a little disappointed because today would have been a fun day at school! 
(The big boys were also happy-- they rolled over in their beds and went back to sleep!  ;)
They did rouse themselves long enough to help Dad shovel the driveway.  (And yes, that is my teenager without a coat!)

It's still snowing here... I'm all for a white Christmas, but this is a little nuts!

And now he's {FIVE}!

Whew, three birthdays in three months, plus Sarah's "Gotcha Day" anniversary... we've been busy, busy, busy!    Jason has the last birthday of the year in our family!  He was actually due on Christmas Day (perfect timing, right?), but my water broke three weeks early, so I had a 8 lb, 4 oz "preemie."  ;)

This is the first year Jason has had a birthday party with friends.  We rented out the gym in our small town's community center...

and the birthday boy and his friends got to bounce to their hearts' content!

Jason requested a Sponge Bob cake, and a friend who decorates cakes made this!  Seriously, I think the Cake Boss would be proud!

Happy birthday, Jason!  We love our cuddly little boy who is growing up much too fast!