The Cutest Boys in Town

Here they are, plum tuckered out (and so am I) after a big day full of lots of activities. So, I've got lots of pics Grandpa, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Mom is off to bed! They had a blast and looked just darling.

The Fortune Teller

We went to the annual Halloween party at the club and Nathan had his palm read. You know, she was right on the money too. She was able to see that Nathan was a sweet, handsome, smart, talented and charming boy that had a Mommy, Daddy and brother that loved him very much! Wow, she's good!

Pumpkin Master

Master Nathan does another seasonal masterpeice. One of many this year.

The Incredible Hulk

One of Nathan's costumes (his favorite) is The Incredible Hulk. He's never seen any sort of Hulk movie but cousin Dean was the Hulk, so need I say more? We had a playdate today where he was G.I. Joe/Army Ranger, that was cute, but the overall winner is The Hulk.

It's so funny because last year I had this vision of the two as a Firefighter and Dalmation...we have the fire truck that would've made for perfect pictures. Nathan wouldn't hear of it. Since Brandon is going to be an Indian I tried to get Nathan to be a Cowboy...no luck. So the lesson is enjoy choosing their costumes when they're too young to tell you otherwise. Oh, age 3 is when that occurs:-)

Moore's Pumpkin Patch

We took the boys to the pumpkin patch for 'Family Day.' They loved the rides and running around to find the perfect pumpkin. We go every year for Halloween pumpkins and Christmas trees in December.

Mickey and Minnie

Someday Brandon will be very upset that he had to be Minnie. However, Nathan knows the difference.

Family Fun

Nathan is just dying to get on that Super Slide in the background.

Cheeks to Cheeks

Big Squeeze from Daddy...now get us to that slide!

Accessory Confusion

We went through the costume bin and the clown suit fit Brandon perfectly. However, he's much more partial to the pirate hook and G.I. Joe helmet than any clown accessories. So, we played in the suit for awhile because he makes a darling little clown.

Like Father, Like Son

I caught these two reviewing some pics and had to laugh because they had the exact same expression and I've never seen them look more alike. Usually, everyone says Brandon looks like me (and he is definitely a Farrelly baby) and Nathan like David, but I certainly saw the Babby in him on this day.

Window Dressing

I bought some Halloween window decals that Nathan wanted for decorating. Here they are getting into the spirit of the season. Nathan still fits into his Halloween PJ's from last year and Brandon is sporting a sleeper that Nathan sported 2 years ago...so nice to get some more mileage out of the seaonal wear.

A Visionary

Nathan is very intense at this moment as he has a vision of exactly how the project should unfold and how the final product should appear. He reminds me of David when he gets into that "do or die" mode.

Stop...thief!

Brandon has a different idea of how the windows should look, and takes off with a decal that Nathan had worked hard on placing just so. What you can't hear is the high pitched giggling that Brandon is doing to mock poor Nathan (who was working so hard).

Here I am to Save the Day!

Fortunately, the Daddy came downstairs to see "what's going on" and magically Nathan instanly dries his eyes and they both decorate the window (I can't believe that). At this point I'm just sitting on the couch with my feet up saying "Have a ball honey, I'm just going to enjoy my front row seat at the circus:-)"

Mr. Mischief

Brandon's favorite word these days is "Why" (phonetic pronunciation: wa iiiii, in a high pitch tone). When I told him not to take his brother's decals, he just kept laughing and rolling on the ground saying "Why, Why." He was very pleased with himself...little rascal!

Big Hug

We are in negotiations about bath and bedtime. Nathan leads the "just one more time" argument and B. boy backs him up with the smile. They're suppose to be exhausted by now. I'm officially my mother with comments coming out of my mouth like "I don't where they get their energy."

Bathtime!

2 fresh, clean boys looking forward to bed...RIGHT!

Our Evening Stroll

We're having an 'Indian Summer' that has made Dublin's weather quite warm, but with a nice breeze. We have enjoyed our evening strolls along the path across from our house without much in the way of jackets. Fortunately, there is a huge field directly across from our house and the boys managed to figure out that if they climb through the fence (pictured here), they have about 2 acres of freedom waiting on the other side!

Sunset

The boys enjoy the sunset after frolicking about in the field.

Our Little Man

Here's our little man all dressed up in his favorite hat and blazer for Fiona's baptism. Actually, it's the hat that allows us to get him all dressed up...unlike Brandon who won't keep a hat on for anything!

Playtime

The kids enjoy some playtime in front of the church.

The Doting Boys

The Babby Boys are quite the doting types when it comes to girls and babies! It must be that Irish influence (Hail Baby Syndrome...have you heard of that?).

Brandon's Turn

Brandon was so happy to be a big boy and hold Fiona. He looked so cute in his navy pinstriped sports coat.

Karate

Nathan has started Karate school. Here he is in his very first lesson (private lesson for the first one), where the instructor discusses proper behavior and manners. Also, they discuss self control, respect and most importantly having an "Indominable Spirit." If you want to know what exactly that means, ask Nathan the next time you see him. He's very enthusiastic and certainly has an indominable spirit.

The Bow

The instructor teaches Nathan the special bow. At the beginning of class the children bow to the instructor, to the family and then to each other as a sign of respect.

Hiiyyaa!

Nathan is a quick learner! He reminds me of Steven Seagal...only more handsome:-)

Nathan Earns his Belt

Nathan receives his first belt. He earned this by having a successful lesson and initiating 3 good deeds without guidance. Of course, Nathan had a whole page full of unprompted good deeds, but who's counting?

Our Little White Belt

He's very proud of himself...and so are we!

Shaving

I was making the bed the other day and heard this buzzing noise as well as Nathan saying "look up, look up" coming from the master bath where the boys were playing nicely with some toys...HINT, HINT! So I walked in to see what was going on and Nathan had gotten into Daddy's side of the bathroom and the rest is obvious. Brandon was in awe of Nathan shaving like Daddy does, and although Nathan tried to share the wealth, Brandon wouldn't let that thing near him.

Every morning (that David isn't out the door at the crack of dawn) the boys like to climb up onto Daddy's vanity area and watch him get ready, shaving being the big attraction. They just watch him in awe with those big blue eyes and Nathan just fires away... question after question. Brandon just soaks it all in listening to Nathan (or "Na-Na") and looking to Daddy for his response, kind of like a tennis match. It is the cutest scene ever!

Action Shot

See...Brandon won't let it near him. That's the reason the shot is so blurry-- the photographer chose the child instead of the shot. A mother's love...I know, I know.

I saw David use the shaver on both of the boys one morning, when they were pretending to be the Daddy, which is why I didn't have a stroke when I saw Nathan with it. Although, it no longer resides there:-)

I'm the Daddy

Nathan spent the day trying to convince Brandon and I that he was the Daddy...since he's such a big man in need of good shave:-) Actually, Nathan went through a phase (that he just recently outgrew) where Nathan would tell people his name was David. We would arrive to the park and he would say "Mommy, let's pretend my name David, okay."

Chabot Space Museum

The boys and I went to Chabot Space Museum and had a ball. Nathan enjoys the kaleidoscope.

Brandon at Chabot

Brandon gets in some art time. He's drawing the Milky Way.

The Black Hole

Nathan makes it out of a black hole...but just barely. Doesn't he look thrilled?

Gravity Well

Of all the interesting things to see and do, the boys loved the gravity well the most! Yes, more than blastoff. They cleaned Mommy out of most of her change! Fortunately, this one uses little balls to demonstrate the law of physics (not coins like the one on the 1st floor).

Blast Off!

I'm sure you remember from previous posts the cofounders of BASA (Babby Aeronautics and Space Administration) are most interested in being the first to walk on Mars. Here they are in the Mercury Capsule getting acquainted with the equipment and doing an audio check to ensure that "Houston" (aka Mommy) is right there with them. I've also sent along a proper lunch as I didn't think that expandable space food was nutritious enough for my astronauts.

They could've played in this capsule for hours. Luckily, another little boy came along and we had to share! Plus, Neil and Gene had to practice their Mars landing.

Bran...I mean Gene's Turn

Brandon takes over as Captain while Nathan handles the control panel. Houston has cleared them for landing (it's getting late and Houston wants to get home before traffic affects our ETA).

Nathan on Mars

Nathan walks on Mars first, but only because he would pose for the picture. When I asked Nathan how he would handle the extremely harsh and freezing weather on Mars, he stated "My spacesuit will keep me warm." Then after a few seconds of serious thought, he announced with much enthusiasm, "You can make one for me Mommy!" Then he started to run back to Mars, stopped and turned and said "and Brandon!" So cute.

Brandon Eyeing that Martian

Brandon checks out his new little friend upon his arrival on Mars.

Happy Campers

A wonderful time was had by all. The perfect pair to represent us earthlings to the moon and beyond. Just ask those Martians!

Autumn in Dublin

Well Fall is here and the boys have been enjoying the change of season. Although, we are bundled and layered on our outings much more so than just a few weeks ago. We're also enjoying more indoor activities such as museums, enrichment classes, activities at the club, and Karate...Hiiyya! Our evening walks are a bit shorter but the boys love stomping on the newly fallen leaves and it won't be long before all the leaves turn and give us that lovely reddish haze we just love.

The Fine, Young, Gentleman

Jen and I met at the park and Nathan brought a gift for Karli. It's a barrette and he wanted her to have it for that thick, shiny, hair of hers...he sold his pocket watch to buy it for her:-) Who knew she would have suitors so soon!

Little Charmers

Karli is having her birthday soon and when Jen asked her who she wanted to invite, she said "I just want Nathan and Sheila to come to my party Mommy." Isn't she sweet?

Group Shot

We have Nathan, Karli, Kyle, and Brandon...plus their new park friend.

Asleep with Thomas

He's passed out on 'his chair.' What you can't see is Thomas the Train nestled on his chest. Our boys are fascinated with trains...as you can see Nathan is sporting his favorite jammies from the PJ's collection.

It's Puzzling

The boys work on their new Winnie the Pooh puzzle they just received. I was impressed with how quickly Nathan put it together--I mean it's ranked for 7-9 year olds...enough already Mommy:-) I was also impressed with how quickly Brandon tore it apart, while laughing (although Nathan WAS NOT). They're hysterical.

Brandon & Rheanna

Rheanna (aka "soon-to-be best big sister in the whole world") practices her skills on Brandon. She's amazing and did such a great job watching Brandon and playing with Nathan when she (& family) came over for dinner last week.

Duty Calls

We were so lucky to have Sharon and Andrew come over and babysit while we went to a dinner engagement. Of course, not 2 seconds after Sharon and her twins (still baking) walk through the door, Nathan has her assume the position so he can pet her belly. Brandon is over the whole belly petting thing and rolls his eyes everytime Nathan starts...although he will give "raspberries" to any exposed belly and then bursts out laughing for quite awhile.

Grandma Pat's Apron

When we went home the other week my Dad gave me this apron of my Mom's that he found. She used to wear it while painting her ceramics (very talented), it still has some paint markings on the front. Nathan took to it immediately and wore it all day, then insisted on wearing it over his jammies that evening. After he fell asleep we took it off and put him to bed. Well, at o' dark hours (2 or 3 am) he came in our room crying, "I need my blue thing Mommy, where's Grandma Pat's apron?" We couldn't believe he remembered having it on, and that was his only concern (he usually crawls in with us). We put it back on and he went right back to sleep...in his own bed. I just know that they are both heaven sent with some extra special Grandma magic in them.