The Pirate and the Ninja

Tommy and Danny are getting ready for the treats they will receive this week. Danny loves his hat and Tommy thinks he is a real ninja. We are all trusting that the storm "Sandy" will not hamper our plans to visit friends or dampen the daycare party. Dixie had a great treat when She found herself the star of the Today Show Website. Wish her well as she is in a contest for best costume.

http://celebrate.today.com/_news/2012/10/26/14700063-a-sheriff-hedgehog-hot-dog-cat-and-9-other-costumed-pets?lite

Tommy lost a tooth!

I have not posted in quite some time and needed an "occasion" to offer a bit of inspiration. Well here it is... Around 9:30 pm this evening Tommy was presenting his normal protests about going to bed. When Patty finally had him convinced that it was indeed bed time for little fellows. Tommy leaned in for a good night hug and kiss from Mom. As he kissed her cheek he noticed some odd feeling in his mouth. He excitedly squealed ,"I have a loose tooth!" when it fact it had fallen out. There was a little blood and a few tears shed, by Patty, and off he went to bed excitedly waiting for the tooth fairy.

Tommy's First Fish!

This Morning Tommy and I went to Crump Park in Western Henrico County. There is small pond there that has Sun Fish, Bass, and Catfish. Tommy had me bait his hook as the night crawlers were, "really nasty." While I admit they were a bit nastier than I remember we got the hook bated and tommy got his pole in the water.

After a few moments of watching the cork float motionlessly on the pond surface, it bobbed. Tommy's attention was focused on the cork as it bobbed a few more times then disappeared into the brown water. I shouted, "pull" and instinctively the boy knew what to do; when he cork and hook reemerged it had on it a prize like no other. Tommy's first fish!

It was not more that a few inches long but for him it might as well have been a whale. We reloaded the hook and that boy pulled in three more fish! He also caught a turtle which fortunately had not been hooked but was hanging by the worm. Tommy was fully engaged in this experience and asked, "dad, can we come back after church tomorrow?" I explained that perhaps we could come back another weekend and he was satisfied with that answer.

It started to rain briskly and the thunder began to rumble so we ran back to the car. Tommy was soaking wet as I loaded him into his car seat. He kept his fishing pole by his side. Not more than ten minutes into the return home Tommy fell asleep. I glanced back and notice the look of contentment on this little boy's face.

Ayres update

Our new pet is doing well adjusting to us and we to her. She is the best pet for a four year old because if he gets to rambunctious she curls up in a prickly ball and is no longer fun to play with.


Here is a photo of Danny protesting the theft of his Easter egg at the hunt held at thine boys school last week. Danny is a bruiser, he may curl up into a prickly ball also.


We had a great Easter Sunday at Trinity church in Beaverdam. We had an excellent turn out; GG and Grammy were able to join us for the worship service and a nice lunch after church.

Danny is Growing Up!

Danny is off and running.

Danny's hair was getting too long for a young man. He looks like a Canadian hockey player!

He did really well as the lady trimmed him up.

There he is neatly trimmed... Dapper Dan!

Christmas Morning!

Before...


After...


Danny totally owns His new wagon.


Tommy is now chief of the fire station.


Tommy "helped" mom make Jesus' birthday cake.

Gingerbread Grammy

This Wednesday Mom (Grammy) came to visit our home. We had a nice dinner which Patty prepared. Tommy and Danny got to help Grammy decorate the gingerbread house.


Tommy wanted to lick the house but all he was allowed was a bit of frosting.


Danny had a little frosting as well. He needed a bath after his treat.


When it was all said and done we have a lovely new home complete with gingerbread cookie reflecting pool. Thanks for visiting Grammy and Merry Christmas.

Pistol Packin' Patty

Patty and I had a day off together and it has been wonderful. We started out slowly this morning and took the boys out to breakfast at the cracker barrel. We Then dropped them off at school. Patty and I strolled around the mall and mingled with the Christmas shoppers. We decided to have lunch at the Cheese Cake Factory. It was a very pleasant morning. About a week ago Patty purchased a pistol. The Ruger LCP

After lunch we went to the local range to test the new gun. Patty's first expirence with the light compact pistol was nothing to sneeze at, have a look at her first few shots...

I suddenly have the urge to vacuum the living room and take out the trash…

Tommy and Randolph

Tommy is excited about the prospect of getting his stocking filled with all sorts of treats from Santa. His school is also preparing the children with songs and stories. However in true Tommy style he came home singing... "Randolph" the red-nose reindeer. We have yet to convince the lad that the red-nosed reindeer is named Rudolph. Until convinced otherwise we are stuck with "Randolph" on our front lawn.

Thanksgiving at Home

Preparing the bird for its time in the oven.



Tommy finds a bigger turkey.



Tommy decided that he did not want the turkey leg.



Danny had too much turkey, oh my he needs a nap!

November Photos

Here are pictures of Tommy who turned 4 on the 20th and Danny who turned 9 months on the 10th. I am not sure where the time went.

Tommy,Trucks and Jesus

This morning Tommy was on our bed watching a DVD about trucks. He was enjoying his lollipop , yes at 7 am, when he began to tell me about the trucks. He told me about the fire pumper and the hook and ladder truck. He stop abruptly and said, "Daddy, I love Jesus." Then he turned back to the tv and continued with his lecture about trucks. I was truly amazed that this came out of his mouth unprompted. I could not help but to be reminded of the words of Jesus when he said, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."


Fr. John

Apple pickin' time!

This past Saturday Patty and Tommy braved the chilly autumn air to get the first swipe at some local produce. Tommy was excited to report that apples really came from a tree.





Thank goodness he did not see The Wizard of Oz before going!





Anyway they were able to take a hayride and enjoy some fresh apple cider and warm apple doughnuts before returning home.





Danny had a bit of a cold so we stayed inside and enjoyed playing with the toys on the living room floor. He was treated to his first chocolate chip cookie, here is the before and after shot.





And after...





Danny said, " I want to be home. I don't want no wormy apple!"

All American Boy

Tommy shared with Patty, Danny and I what he had been learning in his daycare. Needless to say we are very proud of this boy! He starts off with the Plege of Alegance and ends with "God Bless America"

6 months old

Here are a collection of pictures of Danny at six months...

Trip to Maggie Valley, NC

The Sunday of our arrival Patty and Tommy took a ride on the real Thomas. Danny and I stood by and watched as it was loud and frightened the lad.






The weather was splendid. Highs averaged in the low 80's and the lowest temperatures we had were in the 50's that's not to shabby for the hottest week of the year. Here is a photo from the front porch of the cabin.



We had a friendly visitor while we were in the cabin. An elk with a 14 point rack sauntered up to say hello. The boys got a real kick out of the wild beast coming so close.







As boys will do they(Tommy and Will) took great pleasure in the privacy of the mountains.



This photo was just Tommy on a rock but look how the clouds have settled in the mountains in the back ground.



Of course Danny had a great time except for the noises which made him cry a bit.



Overall our family had lots of fun. It was nice to have the cousins together with the grandmothers and aunts and uncles.