The Making of a Vegetarian

Howie is undergoing a major paradigm shift in his diet. He's starting to refuse to eat meat, with only a few exceptions. This is like a tyrannosaurus rex swearing off being a carnivore. In the past we could always count on Howie to devour a chicken leg, a hamburger, a chunk of pot roast, etc. He was eating barbequed ribs before he turned 2. The whole rack. He was constantly on the Atkins diet. He would have made a wonderful hunter-caveman. It was a herculean task to get him to eat any fruit, and any vegetable other than broccoli. But the tide is turning... usually now if I give him a ham or turkey sandwich he'll just eat the bread. For lunch he just ate a salad and some pear slices. And almonds for a snack. I kind of don't recognize him anymore.

An Ode to a New York Bagel

Oh New York bagel, how I love you. Chewy and soft on the inside, slightly crusty on the outside, you are a gastronomic delight of epic proportions. Slathered in butter and jam, you are a celestial food belonging to another sphere. You make Panera bagels hang their heads in shame as they realize how poorly they imitate you. Oh that I could eat you moment by moment and not get fat!! You fill our mouths with gladness and our stomachs with fullness. May we always live within walking distance of a hot bagel store.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

We got our tree last weekend and it's HUGE!! This is a tree for the ages! The house smells wonderful!

Right by the tree is the perfect place to play Legos

This little galpal loves the sparkling lights and ornaments.

Josh had many Legos as a kid and he brought his whole collection home from his parents' house when we were there over Thanksgiving, much to Howie's delight. They've been having a blast building together!

The Many Faces of Wren

For Your Viewing Pleasure

This guy can't get enough of his sister. As you know squeezing and excessive hugging are Howie's love language, and seeing as he's enamored with Wren, she's getting a double dose!! He's a wonderful big brother!

A common sight in our house these days- Lego men. I've already stepped on several. Ouch.

As mentioned above, this is a very common sight... Wren being watched over by one of her big brothers

We traveled to Peachtree City to see Josh's family for Thanksgiving, and of course we had to go to the park right by Nana and BB's for some tennis.

Howie next to Little Red, the preferred mode of transportation in Peachtree City. Howie's already convinced that he can drive a golf cart.

Wren enjoyed the outing by looking at the back of her eyelids. How she chooses to spend a lot of her time.

What a winning smile!! This guy loved the golf cart too!!

Nothing quite like a trip to Nana and BB's... the boys had a wonderful time!

We were so privileged to have Aunt Emily, Uncle Rob, John, and Violet come stay with us for Josh's ordination! This was the first time Wren got to meet her cousins. It was a hit! How bout Violet??? Too cute for words!!!

Justice is currently obsessed with the book The Three Little Rigs, instead of the three little pigs... it's actually really funny. Anyway he roped Grandma into reading it... I was grateful for the reprieve because Josh and I have read that book to him so many times over the last weeks that he can recite most of it. Find a new book!!!

How we pass many hours... trains, trains, trains.

Justice is still as crazy as ever. He loves to crack himself up. Recent example: we were on the way to have dinner with some friends from church. Justice burped as he was getting out of the car and said "Bless me." Then laughed maniacally. Hilarious.

One morning the boys raided Wren's baby toy stash and covered her with them. Thanks, guys.