Some Basketball

During the break from school the boys enjoyed going to the gym.  Noah shooting the basketball and Jacob shooting the volleyball.

Some Basketball

During the break from school the boys enjoyed going to the gym.  Noah shooting the basketball and Jacob shooting the volleyball.

Making Cookies

Noah had a friend over the other morning and they got to make sugar cookies.  They decorated the cookies and sampled plenty along the way. Jacob is on a good sleeping pattern as of late so he was not up before 6:00 AM making the dough from scratch! 

Making Cookies

Noah had a friend over the other morning and they got to make sugar cookies.  They decorated the cookies and sampled plenty along the way. Jacob is on a good sleeping pattern as of late so he was not up before 6:00 AM making the dough from scratch! 

Pajama Party

It was a pajama party at Doss as they ended the semester.  Someone caught this pic of a couple cute elves!

Pajama Party

It was a pajama party at Doss as they ended the semester.  Someone caught this pic of a couple cute elves!

Basketball Game

It was off to the Erwin Center to see Texas play Louisiana Technical College (or something like that) last Saturday.  It wasn't much of a game but the boys really enjoyed seeing everything.  They loved the Rudy's BBQ blimp.

Basketball Game

It was off to the Erwin Center to see Texas play Louisiana Technical College (or something like that) last Saturday.  It wasn't much of a game but the boys really enjoyed seeing everything.  They loved the Rudy's BBQ blimp.

Pinewood Derby Redux

It was that time of the year again in Austin, time for the Pinewood Derby.  We had a lot of fun last year building the Green Machine but it didn't perform very well on the track at Hyde Park.  We learned a few of life's little lessons throughout the process (Always compete ethically, congratulate the victor, be pleased but never satisfied, be humble, learn from your mistakes, etc).  

We got down to business this year and you picked your design, a simple wedge (perhaps based on observations from last year).   We cut, sanded, primed, picked a color, worked on the wheels, and added decals.  We worked on the alignment the night before impound and we were happy to be finished and enjoying a big bowl of popcorn.  When it came time for the weigh-in, you chose a name for your car, "The Patriot".   

One short week later it was race day.  Some 60+ cars were entered in the race.  All the cars ran four heats and only the winners from each of the four dens would move on to the finals.  You ran your first heat and won while Mom and Dad looked on a bit confused at these results.  On to the second heat some 20 minutes later and you won again.  Same result for the thrid and fourth heats.   

Before we knew it, you were on to the finals competing against some really fast cars.  When the dust settled, you were third overall in the entire pack.

You got your picture taken with some other winners and also found out that you came in second in the most patriotic category (a category we didn't know even existed). 

When it was all over, you were all smiles and mentioned that you already had a design for your car next year.  We look forward to his design ideas and are happy that he is pleased but not completely satisfied quite yet!

Pinewood Derby Redux

It was that time of the year again in Austin, time for the Pinewood Derby.  We had a lot of fun last year building the Green Machine but it didn't perform very well on the track at Hyde Park.  We learned a few of life's little lessons throughout the process (Always compete ethically, congratulate the victor, be pleased but never satisfied, be humble, learn from your mistakes, etc).  

We got down to business this year and you picked your design, a simple wedge (perhaps based on observations from last year).   We cut, sanded, primed, picked a color, worked on the wheels, and added decals.  We worked on the alignment the night before impound and we were happy to be finished and enjoying a big bowl of popcorn.  When it came time for the weigh-in, you chose a name for your car, "The Patriot".   

One short week later it was race day.  Some 60+ cars were entered in the race.  All the cars ran four heats and only the winners from each of the four dens would move on to the finals.  You ran your first heat and won while Mom and Dad looked on a bit confused at these results.  On to the second heat some 20 minutes later and you won again.  Same result for the thrid and fourth heats.   

Before we knew it, you were on to the finals competing against some really fast cars.  When the dust settled, you were third overall in the entire pack.

You got your picture taken with some other winners and also found out that you came in second in the most patriotic category (a category we didn't know even existed). 

When it was all over, you were all smiles and mentioned that you already had a design for your car next year.  We look forward to his design ideas and are happy that he is pleased but not completely satisfied quite yet!

Christmas Concert

With Jacob under the weather last weekend, the opportunity was there for Lori and Noah to enjoy the Christmas Concert at Church and then go have dinner.  They enjoyed every minute of it!

Christmas Concert

With Jacob under the weather last weekend, the opportunity was there for Lori and Noah to enjoy the Christmas Concert at Church and then go have dinner.  They enjoyed every minute of it!

Tree Trimming

One of Jacob's favorite activities as of late is helping out with the tree trimming outdoors.  He is happy to help out in cutting up the branches but has less interest in the cleanup.  He really wants to cut a tree down so we are hoping to find one for him out at the Texas cabin in a few weeks.

Tree Trimming

One of Jacob's favorite activities as of late is helping out with the tree trimming outdoors.  He is happy to help out in cutting up the branches but has less interest in the cleanup.  He really wants to cut a tree down so we are hoping to find one for him out at the Texas cabin in a few weeks.

Jack O' Lantern

His teeth keep coming out faster than the new ones can grow back in.  We call him our little Jack O' Lantern.

Jack O' Lantern

His teeth keep coming out faster than the new ones can grow back in.  We call him our little Jack O' Lantern.

No Class

A mighty dusting of snow and AISD has cancelled school for the day to the bewilderment of parents all over the city!  

No Class

A mighty dusting of snow and AISD has cancelled school for the day to the bewilderment of parents all over the city!  

Thanksgiving - Happiness

That's a whole lot of happy people!

Thanksgiving - Happiness

That's a whole lot of happy people!

Thanksgiving - Cousins

The boys had a great time with their cousins on the trip at Thanksgiving.  Swimming, Wahoo, games, TV, Legos, football, etc, etc.  There's a lot of energy in that group of kids.  

Thanksgiving - Cousins

The boys had a great time with their cousins on the trip at Thanksgiving.  Swimming, Wahoo, games, TV, Legos, football, etc, etc.  There's a lot of energy in that group of kids.  

Thanksgiving - Valentinos

On the trip to Lincoln, the boys always love a trip to the pizza buffet.  Little did they know that they would make two trips to Valentinos that week for double the fun.  Noah liked pizza the most while Jacob loved his dessert named 'Blue Goo'. 

Thanksgiving - Valentinos

On the trip to Lincoln, the boys always love a trip to the pizza buffet.  Little did they know that they would make two trips to Valentinos that week for double the fun.  Noah liked pizza the most while Jacob loved his dessert named 'Blue Goo'. 

Indians

Meet Soaring Eagle (aka Jacob) and Sitting Bear (aka Noah).  This picture taken just before Thanksgiving after they came home from school brimming with excitement for the holiday (and a break from school).

Indians

Meet Soaring Eagle (aka Jacob) and Sitting Bear (aka Noah).  This picture taken just before Thanksgiving after they came home from school brimming with excitement for the holiday (and a break from school).

Claws

The boys have been mass-producing these fingers (or claws).  We must have 50-60 of them now in a big bowl.  It keeps them busy which is not a bad thing!

Claws

The boys have been mass-producing these fingers (or claws).  We must have 50-60 of them now in a big bowl.  It keeps them busy which is not a bad thing!

Doss Owl

Jacob drew a picture of the Doss Owl the other day.  We threw a frame around it and he was quite proud.  

Doss Owl

Jacob drew a picture of the Doss Owl the other day.  We threw a frame around it and he was quite proud.  

Goodbye Summer!

Goodbye Summer!

Bouncy Houses

We were once again reminded at the Hyde Park Fall Festival that bouncy houses still rule the day!

Bouncy Houses

We were once again reminded at the Hyde Park Fall Festival that bouncy houses still rule the day!

Simple Life

A boy without a concern in the world.

Simple Life

A boy without a concern in the world.