Introducing Andrew!

We welcomed Andrew "Drew" Keitaro on February 9 at 4pm. He weighed 5 lbs, 10 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long - my littlest guy of the bunch. While I locate the cord for the camera to upload other pictures, here are a few taken by the hospital photography service.
Drew is such a joy! He is truly my heaped up, overflowing treasure. He started sleeping 4-5 hours a night at 10 days old, without being fed formula to induce sleep. He is not at all fussy, and cries when wet, hungry, or gassy. He is starting to look for voices he hears - especially his brothers! Joshua and Nathan love him, and are becoming less angry with me over the new member of our house. They talk to him, want to hold him constantly, and are eager to help hold bottles for him. Nathan is exceptionally gentle, always gently kissing Drew on the head. It is hard to believe he will be 4 weeks old in just a few days.

Joshua's 5th birthday!

This year, Joshua wanted a Spiderman birthday cake. I was sure we had reached a point where I would have to buy a cake, but luckily Wilton sells 2 different Spiderman cake pans! We had the party at our local Pizza Hut, in large part so I didn't have to stress over cleaning the house. It worked out great, and from what I heard all the kids had a great time.

The kids all got to go in the kitchen and make their own little pizzas!


I think he liked the cake......although when he ate it he said it "tasted like spiders". Exactly what that means, or how he knows what spiders taste like it is very unclear.


Big goober and little goober





After the party a few family members stopped by the house to visit. Joshua and Bella were intrigued by the laughing alligator Oma brought the boys back from the Everglades.

Next stop, a baby, and a little guy turning 3........ the next few weeks are going to fly by!

Adventures in winter!

Reading Joshua's new book from Christmas. Funny about how kids are, Josh likes you to read the book to him. Nathan likes you to be quiet while he tells you all about it.

No idea why, but Nathan HATES the snow. He started crying the second his snow pants and boots went on, and didn't stop until we got inside and took them all off. Of course, being good parents, we made him go in the snow anyways and took a few pictures.

At least SOMEBODY likes the snow!


The day after Christmas, playing with new toys.

Playing with his "twinker toys". And yes, like his momma, rarely wears socks.




One Friday we had a play date with Jack, and Trudy bought pizza for the boys. They had so much fun, and Trudy and I are super excited to have babies a month apart!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day at Oma & Opa's. Look at those grins! Not sure what was more fun, the actual presents or how excited they were to mutilate the wrapping paper!

He loves this silly bird!


Who got an awesome present? Yeah, Oma did!

Nathan loves his car, and learned how to burn the tires off in about 10 minutes all on his own. He is anxious for spring to really get it out and drive it (although if we had known how mild the winter would be maybe we wouldn't have put it in the basement for the winter)

Joshua's new bike, also parked in the basement for the winter. He keeps asking for it to be brought up to ride.....


Uncle Matt playing tbe new Angry Birds game with the boys

Birthday cake for baby Jesus.

We went home after dinner, so the boys could see what Santa (as well as Mommy & Daddy) had left under our tree.

Joshua loves his new DS, and asks to play it non-stop, which of course we don't allow.

Nathan loved his new camera, although somehow it is already broken. Glad I got it for a steal, and now I have something to get him for his birthday - but not that model, not impressed with it at all.

Trying to figure out the DS.

Joshua also got a new scooter to ride on - we shall see how that goes.

Blurry, but Nathan HAD to try the scooter too. That will be very interesting, as he clearly isn't tall enough to ride it!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at Mammaw's house.

Joshua (and Nathan) got fishing poles for Christmas. This will be interesting come spring, as neither RJ or I fish, but Joshua had been asking for a fishing pole. Stayed tuned for that adventure!


Nathan also got Tinker Toys, which he loves. He calls them "twinker toys"

We now have an arsenal of Nerf guns, and had to purchase rubbermaid tote to keep them in, complete with about a million darts.


The boys ended up with an easel, which they love. It is set-up in the living room, so we can make sure nobody is writing on the walls.


Even grown-ups like Nerf guns

Pre-Christmas cookie baking. Nathan loved the sprinkles, and it looked like an explosion.

Timbuk Farms

Rj has always wanted to chop down a live tree, and this year I found a place to do so. We drove out to Timbuk Farms for a tree, and picked out the perfect tree. Too bad there wasn't snow, although that would have made things much more challenging!



Nathan was not a fan, but didn't cry. Of course, he had no trouble accepting the candy cane Mrs. Claus gave him.


This is Nathan freaking out, which occurred every time a tree touched him. It was funny for a few minutes, then not so much. I ended up having to carry him the whole time, which was very uncomfortable for me, and still didn't prevent him from being touched.

My guys.

Guarding the perfect tree, while Daddy is underneath chopping it down.

Carrying the tree out of the lot

Nathan's new ornament for the tree


Joshua's new ornament. He liked it because it plays music.


The finished product. Yes, it's trimmed up a little short, this was a time when Daddy should have listened closer to Mommy before he started trimming away. Oh well, live and learn!