Welcome to Paper City

Cole and Jay spent many, many hours one weekend creating Paper City in Cole's room. We managed to keep it standing for a few days, then big tornadoes, shaped like my feet, inadvertently cleared a path to the dresser.

Windows! Yay!

Christmas 2012

The boys love decorating for Christmas! As soon as Thanksgiving is over, they're asking to get out the decorations. Actually, what they love is tearing through the storage bins, throwing things everywhere, then playing Legos while I place it all. Despite the chaos, it's fun to see their excitement. 

Picking out the tree is always another chaotic adventure. The rows of neatly arranged trees look like a labyrinth that invites exploring. As soon as we enter, they begin chasing each other. To end the commotion before they crash into a person or tree, I quickly grab the closest one. This year I didn't realize until we got home that it had a distinct tilt to the right. 

The Leaning Tree of Christmas

This was a year when the Moehn side of the family got together for Christmas in Arizona. The boys were excited to see their cousins again and everyone got along well. They especially liked playing with the babies.

All the cousins. It was close to impossible to get them all still for this picture! (Cole, Luc, Sophia, Jay, and Noah.)

Cole and Noah snuggling.

Jay and Sophia dressed for dinner.

We went on a beautiful desert hike.

A big tarantula decided to say hello. He blended into the path so well that we almost stepped on him.

Sunroom Progress

Workers were here the past couple days and we finally had progress on the sunroom! There was one surprise: water pipes in the roof of the jut out. No one could believe it was designed it that way. Now a plumber needs to move them above the ceiling in the family room so we can tear down the jut out. Another delay! We're still hoping to have the room done by Thanksgiving.

View from inside the house.

Looking to the left from in the house.

Looking to the right. The door will open onto the desk.

View from back yard.

Imagine a deck here.

Side view with new HVAC units.

Back to School

The first day of school was fairly uneventful, except that the boys had no school supplies! I thought I had ordered them through a service that has all the gear waiting at the school. I thought wrong. I received two notes and two disgruntled boys at the end of the day. At least the boys themselves were prepared!

I can't believe Cole is a 4th grader.
After this year, he has only one more at the elementary school!

Jay is ready for 2nd grade.

Eager to start!

Growth Spurts

I don't notice the small changes taking place every day as the boys grow, but once in a while I look at them and think, "Holy cow! When did they get so big!"  This evening was such a time, so we got out the yardstick.

Jay grew 2.5 inches this past year (from his thumb to his index finger)! He is now 4 ft 3/4 in and very happy to be tall enough to go down the big slide at the water park. I think his crazy smile is due to his shorts being too small. I hadn't realized he never buttons his pants because they are all too tight. I thought he just didn't take the time.

Cole grew 1.5 inches and is now 4 ft 3 in. Although he still has a couple inches on Jay, they wear the same size. I'd like to put a dresser in the hall and throw all their clothes in it so I can stop trying to sort.

One of Rob's favorite activities is to guess how old the boys will be when they pass me in height. I feel fortunate to be fairly tall. It will be a strange day when I have to look up at them. 

Lego Robbery, directed and produced by Cole and Jay

Cole and Jay went to a fantastic camp last week where they learned to create stop-motion movies.

Grab some popcorn and prepare to be entertained!

Jay Promotes to Red Belt!

Cole's Possible Careers

Written on the back of a Brixx menu when we went out to eat:

1. Judge

2. Author

3. Planetary geologist

4. Police department

5. Detective

6. Lawyer

7. Jury

8. Scientist

9. Artist

10. Explorer

11. Inventor

12. Astronomer

Disney!

We had a great time at Disney World this year. We spent a day at Magic Kingdom, then another at Hollywood Studios. Our hotel was in the All Star Movies Resort and the boys were relieved to stay at the Toy Story complex and not a princess one.

We can't stop for a picture now!

Trapped by the evil emperor Zurg!

Log Ride. Love that Jay is smiling!

The new Star Wars ride was a favorite at Hollywood Studios.

Finally, a family photo at Hollywood Studios!

Jay was selected to be the torch holder at the Pirates of the Caribbean show. He took the role very seriously.