Christmas

We had a good Christmas.  The boys and girl must have been very good because Santa Claus brought them some fun new stuff and they received awesome presents from friends and family. We hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

We made some Christmas tree cookies for Santa (and for us!).

Cadel mainly enjoyed the frosting.

Maggie's Baptism

We had Maggie's baptism this past weekend.  It was held at the chapel on post by Father Jose, the Catholic chaplain.  Pat asked the chaplain from his office, Chris Dickey, serve as the proxy.   All of the pictures show Maggie as pretty happy but she did not go quietly while becoming a disciple of the Church.  She cried off and on throughout the entire thing, stopping only when she was blessed.  But it is kind of like the Deacon who assisted with the baptism said, "the ones with the strongest voices make the best disciples."

Maggie is moving on up

I pulled out the high chair for Miss Maggie.  Even though she isn't eating food yet I thought she might like to have a seat at the table.  So far she seems to be enjoying the view.

Gus' Spirit Week at school

Gus' school had Spirit Week this week.  Monday was jersey/sports day so Gus wore his Cubs shirt from t-ball this past summer.  Tuesday was hat day and he wore his Cubs hat from summer t-ball.  Wednesday was wacky hair and Gus didn't want to do anything for that one.  Thursday was career day.  Gus has come a long way from his playboy days of wanting to be a movie director/race car driver/pilot.  Now he wants to be a paleontologist.  It seemed pretty basic so for career day he wore khakis and a button down shirt (this seemed to be the standard among all googled pictures of paleontologists).  He added a hammer,a paint brush (to carefully brush away dirt from fossils) and a magnifying glass as his tools of the trade.  I made him a little name tag that read "Dr. Gus Bryan, Paleontologist" and he was ready to go.  He was so excited to go to school and show his friends.

Skating boys

Gus and Cormac are taking skating lessons again this winter.  We found different lessons at a different location and these seem to fit much better, especially with Cormac.  Last year we couldn't even get Cormac on the ice at his lessons and now he is fantastic.  He gets right out there and works hard.  He is in the Tots 1 class.  Gus started out in the one as well but was bumped three levels up to Basic 1.  He has improved so much as well.

Cormac is in the blue coat with the instructor.  They are practicing swizzles.

Gus is in the red coat.  The day I was there to watch happened to be the one day they forgot their helmets and gloves.

At the Air Force Academy ice rink they had a Skate with Santa during free skate last Sunday.  Some of the instructors from Gus and Cormac's lessons were there to help the kids.  Gus, Cormac and Pat all went skating. Maggie and I watched while Cadel ran the bleachers. Gus and Cormac didn't even get close to Santa or his elf (but I can't blame them and, in fact, I think it is probably a good thing that they avoid strange, bearded men).  They did have a great time skating.  Gus will just keep going and going until you make him stop.

Gus' Christmas Program

Gus' school had their holiday program last week, "The Quest for Holiday Cheer."  Unfortunately I was unable to make it because we have had a crazy stomach virus going around with Cormac and Cadel.  Pat went to one of the performances (they have to have two to accomodate all the friends and family).  He said it was really well done.  Here are a few pictures of Gus at the performance.  He said he got a little bored during it--the kindergarten classes only had one song to themselves so I can imagine they were pretty squirmy.

The Christmas Tree Express

For Christmas Grandma gave the boys a Christmas tree train.  Pat put it together for them last weekend and put it on the tree.  They love it, especially train-crazy Cormac.

Volcano Wins

Gus has been drawing a lot of volcanoes lately.  Here is one he drew this week.  On the back he included some information about volcanoes that I thought was awesome so I have included that as well.

"A volcano can be very dangerous 'cause the smoke can sometimes be poison.  Also 'cause the volcano wins."

Recent pics

O Christmas Tree!

Cadel always takes naps (yes, finally one that STILL takes them!) with cars or trains.  I love how he is clutching Thomas.  He does this at night too.

Miss Maggie in her new fleece outfit from Grandma.

More stickers from the grocery store.

Birthday Boys

We just celebrated Cormac's 4th and Gus' 6th birthday this past week.  What a week it was! We have had lots of cake and lots of presents.  We had quite a bit of snow so Gus didn't have school on his birthday.  Grandma came to visit for both birthdays and we opened up our Christmas presents with her while she was here.  Then on Saturday we had a birthday party for the boys.  They both invited some of their friends from kindergarten and preschool.  We had a balloon guy come and do balloon animals for everyone.  This was the first real "kid" birthday party they had and I think they had a good time. Cormac seemed a little overwhelmed but after it was over Gus asked if he could have a birthday party every year.

Some pictures from the past week: