Cousins!

It is quite a feat to have seven grandchildren under the age of seven in one house especially considering that when the first was born the other two baby makers weren't even thinking of babies, marriage or dating for that matter. We tried to capture this accomplishment this past Christmas. Here is what we got... there are a plethora of pictures, but each one captures a bit of the story.

It is becoming a tradition to have matching PJ's, a tradition that is harder and harder to keep up with as the ages and sizes get more and more spread out. Any bets on how old Peter will be before he puts his foot down and says no to the blanket sleeper? Dibs on 16

Notice PT.

Daniel does.

The smile pro Peter! Poor Izzie had a terrible time trying to contain that wild man, Avery.

PT is still at work.

Okay, there we go, everyone is looking at the camera.

Ornery bunch aren't they!

The best of the PJ picture. Baby Maher was missed due to a needed nap, he matched the younger boys with rocket PJs.

"Make a silly face" in an effort to keep everyone happy and still a little longer. Little did I know that silly faces require two hands thus the Avery monster was released to charge the camera.

PT took this opportunity to finalize his snatch of the coveted Lego dump truck of big cousin Peter. He had been work on sliding it over under Isabelle's legs all photo shoot.

Okay sitting isn't working, let's stand up by height!

PT could not keep his belly off of Daniel. Image a motor sound and a little blond boy rocking his body just enough to bump, bump, bump his older yet smaller cousin. Poor Daniel knows he is at a terrible disadvantage. How early they learn to pester.

Enough said

Going for the Gold. All seven umm...nine in a shot.

Daniel wondering if PT is going to try any more of his belly bumping or foot snatching.

I love Isabelle in this one!

PT is trying to get Daniel's attention and Daniel is trying hard to think this entire photo shoot away.

Two-year old indifference.

For a six, five, three, two, one-year old and 11 and 2 monther this is as good as it gets.

Isabelle with Baby Maher and his squishy hands.

This one warms my heart to see all the tender attention paid to the littlest. It never ceases to amaze me how much all these cousins love each other. Paul Thomas is constantly asking to visit his cousins, and is smothered in hugs and kisses upon his arrival.

Over the Christmas celebration Paul Thomas turned down a Mommy snuggle for big cousin Peter snuggle.

It's wonderful having a family full of children and parents who don't mind putting up with everyone else's kids.

Smoky Delight

Friday Photo Favorites

Counter sitters, the forbidden fruit.

Great Discoveries

Two Grandparents, four children and seven grandchildren loaded up those gas guzzling SUV's while at Gia and Pop Pop's to make some discoveries at none other than the Discovery Center.

Come along and discover our Great Discoveries with us!

Wooden Machines

Push the button and watch the rabbit play the piano while the cat tries to distract and for those that fancy can get an inside view of all the wooden gears and cranks.

Sand Storms and Tornados

Some had more fun at the tornado station than others.

Smoke

Gia lending a hand.

How to relocate smoke: one can either wave it away with an open hand or blow it away with raspberries.

BUBBLES

Getting the motion down.

Oops you forgot the bubble.

Way to go Pop Pop!

A little help from the Bubble Master.

Well done, PT!

Student and Master.

Double Bubble Trouble

Stay tuned for some more action packed discoveries.

He Makes a Grown Man Cry

This evening during our routine, pre-night-night cuddle time, Paul Thomas and I were discussing the day, full of trains, grandparents, a little brother and "pasta noodles." While his speech is improving everyday, still only about 60% of his vocabulary is recognizable as idiomatic English. Lately, we have been focusing on the all-important phrase, "I love you", which up until last week sounded more like "hello" than his intended communique. So, we practiced "I love you" a few times and moved on to another topic... so I thought. I proceeded to ask PT, partly as a test to his thinking/responding to an open ended question skills, but mostly to fish for a compliment from my son, if he "liked to cuddle with Daddy." He answered, "I love you." Assuming he was still practicing his new, more correct pronunciation, I repeated my question; whereupon he lifted his head up off the pillow, looked me in the eye to make sure I understood him this time and answered, "I love you, Dada."

Light Reading

Story time at a Theology grad student's house.

Oh Christmas Tree...a bit late.

This past Christmas we spent in Amarillo at Gia and Pop Pop's house with HEBI Family (now that all the girls are married are family name has evolved to this). Being the first HEBI Christmas in Amarillo Gia and Pop Pop went all out and got a real tree! Now I know you Northern folk have your way of picking out a Christmas tree and all. You know, tromping around in a beautiful snow covered hills with sun glistening off the lightly dusted evergreens. And when you find your jewel, chopping it down like a true lumber jack and dragging it back to you log cabin and sipping hot chocolate as you lace a pop corn garland to trim that tanenbaum.

Well, down here, were we take great pride in calling Mesquite a tree, we do things a little differently.

Yup, we load up all the kin in the gas guzzling, move out of my way, I'm bigger than you SUVs and head to the Home Depot.

We braved the frigged 45 degree Garden Center,

and then weave through the trees hung up by string to find the one to call our own.

Make sure those bottom branches are sturdy! They'll hold all the ornaments this year.

Found one!

Great, slap that puppy on a flat bed and lets get her home.

Checking out the wheel base.

A bit confused on which item is actually making its way back to Gia and Pop Pop's.

Sprucing up the Spruce.

You asked just how many HEBI's does it take to properly adjust and tighten the old evergreen; one Pop Pop, three grand kids on the floor to impeded, two daughters to laugh, direct and poke fun and two more grand kids in arms to fuss in protest for being impeded in their own progress of thoroughly examining the winter tree inside.

Bust out the liquor, jingle bells and ornaments...it's time to decorate!

Peter hung all the high ornaments.

Time for the star...almost

a little farther.

Nope, too floppy!

Now we're talking!

And that is how the HEBI Family picks out and decorates the most beloved tree!