The Little Nemeceks

Yes, I realize that I just posted about snow. But winter here in GA is weird like that. Today it was 70 degrees out, and after a week of being sick, I was glad to be feeling better and have a chance to take the kids outside to have some fun.

I have chalk! But I don't know what to do with it...

Rolling a ball is lots of fun:


Swings!


David's first time in the toddler swing:


On the glider (thanks to Nathan for taking the picture!)

Ahoy there matey!


Sliding...


You called?

One of Nathan's playdates this month was a tour of St. Francis Animal Hospital. He (and David) got to see animal x-rays, watch a dog getting his teeth cleaned, see all of the kennels, and even get a checkup for a teddy bear. Nathan was so excited that he volunteered his teddy to be the first to get his shots.

Watching the doggy get his teeth cleaned:


Teddy Bear gets a checkup:

We got measureable snow this month! Three inches arrived overnight and Monday morning the 10th Nathan woke up to snow! He saw it out his window and wanted to go play even before breakfast :) I hurried the kids through breakfast and bundled them out to go play, since the precipitation had already changed over to a mix of sleet and ice, creating a crust on top of the snow. Nathan had a blast making footprints, playing on his playset, and building a snowman. David screamed every time I tried to put him down. Maybe next year ;)

Playing in his playset:


Yay, snow!


David, unhappy at being put in the snow to take a picture:

Much happier in Mommy's arms:


Nathan's snowman (Mommy made it):

Wow, time sure flies! I can't believe David is 10 months old already! He is standing more and more every day, and even standing without support for a few seconds. He is not cruising, and we are starting to wonder if he will go from standing to walking without anything in between ;). He loves to feed himself all sorts of things, and seems to be hungry all the time. Growing boy! He jabbers and laughs and waves hi to everyone, making himself quite the little charmer. He also loves to play with his brother, and shut himself into rooms (and then cry because he can't open the door). We are adapting to the new challenges of an ever mobile baby and loving every minute.

Christmas afternoon, Nathan and I made the family gingerbread cookies. Nathan had lots of fun spreading icing and shaking the sprinkles all over everything :)

We made it home from MI just in time to celebrate Christmas day at home. Even though Josh had to transition back to working nights for a couple of weeks, he was able to stay up for a morning of opening presents and playing with toys. Even kitty got in on the fun with her kitty stocking full of bells and toys stuffed with catnip. Nathan took it upon himself to "help" David open all his presents, and now plays with David's presents more than he plays with his own! We're working on that sharing thing...

Nathan opening presents:


David trying to get his toy out of the box:

Kitty playing with her new toy:


David's favorite Christmas present:


Josh reading Nathan one of his new books:

While we were in MI, Josh's parents volunteered to watch the kids for a day so we could take a day trip to Chicago. Josh showed me around his hometown of Hillside, we went to the Garfield Park Conservatory, visited the Sears (now Willis) tower, and walked around Millenium Park. It was great to see where Josh grew up, and even better to have a full day to spend alone!

Josh's childhood home in Hillside:


The Chinese restaurant where Josh's family used to eat after church. The owner would carry Josh around the store to give his parents time to eat ;)


The fern room at Garfield Park Conservatory:


The view from the top of the Willis tower, looking down from the overhanging windows. Taking this picture made me feel dizzy! (yes, there was zero visibility that day, but it was our only chance to say we'd been there)


The "bean" at Millenium Park:

Every year, there is a spectacular display of Christmas lights only 15 minutes from us called Lights of the South. Since it doesn't open until nearly David's bedtime, I put him to bed first, and then bundled Nathan up and took him to see the lights, Santa, have a hayride, and a cookie. I offered him hot chocolate, but he refused. Though cold, we had a great time seeing all the lights, and Nathan loved playing in the kids area.

Nathan on the hayride:


A picture of the lights on the hayride (was very difficult to take pictures of Christmas lights, in the dark, from a moving vehicle!):


Santa's house (which Nathan refused to enter):


My favorite part - the lit castle that we drove through at the end of the hayride: