Swinging into...

another year!

Happy New Year from the Baltimore Maces!

WHAT?...

Sitting in Panera after church on Sunday, Micaiah says to me...

"Nonny, I'm going to use you to catch a fish one day. I'll put the hook on your necklace (which by the way it may have been mistaken for a fishing lure), then I'll lower you down. You can get the fish by it's slimy tale and then I'll pull you back up!"

I have to say I thought for sure that I was going to be eaten by the fish...I guess I have that to be thankful for!

Our boys...

have some really cool bowling moves!

Christmas Day Hike...

Christmas Day Hike through Eli's eyes...

"Where are we going?"

"Wow, it must be someplace really important!"

"Are we there yet?"

"How much longer do I have to carry this log?"

"God, I pray that you will help them find what they are looking for so I can go home sometime soon!"

Christmas 2008

Joshua...we had to wake him up on Christmas morning...but it didn't take him long to get in the Christmas spirit.

He serenaded us with a beautiful version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" followed by "Hark the Herald Angles Sing" in Eli's echo mic.

He "baked" us some ice cream in the kitchen...

and then the rest of the day he played his violin "with much pomp and ceremony!"

Micaiah...was the first one up, he helped us wake Joshua up and they hurried downstairs. It didn't take him long to empty the contents of his stocking and get to work!

After opening his stocking presents he exclaimed, "This is the best Christmas ever!"

He completely forgot about the one and only thing that he asked for...Football Guys!

Just like his Daddy he is a "jack of all trades." He was throwing touchdowns one minute against "Turtle Bob"...

and serenading us with Beethoven the next!

Eli James...it took him a while to warm up...I think he was wondering why people were so excited about breakfast...

well, breakfast waited while he rummaged through his stocking...

ate some candy...

and got mad at his brothers for taking his toys!

Pictures from...

the weekend...

"Man knows...

himself only when he learns to understand himself in light of God, and he knows others only when he sees the mystery of God in them."

Pope Benedict XVI

I waited...

knowing that once it was cut...he would no longer look like a baby.

Micaiah's Public Debut...

he played drums for Wes' work Christmas party today...click on the play button to see the video

He definitely had fun! When he was through playing he said, "When can we do that again?!"

This video is on YouTube...I've added the link to Our YouTube videos

Family Portrait...

Our visit with...

Santa. I think that Eli thought that the man in the red suit was the next babysitter! I'm not sure what Micaiah and Josh were thinking...they were excited and smiling as they told Santa what they wanted for Christmas but their faces sure did change for the picture!

I reached to grab Eli thinking that the photo was not as important as making him feel safe and secure and Santa said..."Relax Mom, he is just fine, there is no hurry we're on Santa time!"

Glimpses from the "big game"...

Ravens vs. Steelers...

Heinz Ward catching a pass...

Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend and others celebrating Ike Taylor's tip and Ryan Clark's interception...

what they didn't show on TV...the real celebration!

my favorite pictures...

Steelers fans are the best in the game!

so sorry about the loss love

but boy you know how to win my heart (not only did you score these tickets but these pictures were taken with my birthday lens)!

Saturday in December adventure...

to the Christmas tree farm. Mommy lost her rights to picking the "perfect" tree after a few minutes of indecision...so Daddy said "Micaiah, it's an odd day (Micaiah has odd, Josh has even, Eli goes with the flow for now) you get to pick it out!" A few minutes later...

he went to work cutting our tree down...

I think he grew a few inches from this responsibility!

One quick photo with Daddy and his boys and we were off to the barn for some hot chocolate!

Glimpses into our early morning...

5:30 A.M...the little one didn't want to sleep anymore. As soon as his feet hit the ground he walked over to the dining room chair and pushed it to the kitchen sink and wanted up.

I guess he had a job to do...

his older brother joined the early morning fun with a crocodile party...

just in case you're wondering...the rest of the day proved to be just as adventurous.

Our first snowfall (at home)...

it was only about an inch or two (and dark) but that didn't stop these boys from getting dressed to play.

And they were back at it by 9 this morning even with the really cold temps. Eli joined in the fun this time for a short while. Although getting back on his feet after a fall was difficult...every once in a while you would hear "Uh, oh" and know that he needed help.

a little brotherly love...