Year 1, Day 15: And still snowing...

We're weathering "Blizzard 2009" just fine. Everyone has been staying warm and dry, with the exception of this afternoon when we made a quick round outside to take some pictures. We need to get Max some real snow clothes before we head to Missouri for the holidays, where we may have a white Christmas.

Late breaking "first" news: Max took his first steps on December 16, 2009!

Year 1, Day 2: Running with the Big Boys

So the big day of the party arrived! Here is the calm before the kiddy storm. The bear and balloon on the table are from Aunt Lou Ann. (you'll see that the balloon makes frequent appearances in the pictures below)

Stanley (& his mom), Max (& Mom), and Leks (& his mom) are working hard on their art masterpieces.

Leks and his dad munching away.

All of us are new parents with no other family in the area, so it is rare to get "family shots." Usually, mom or dad have to stand in as the photographer.

Leks' family

Stanely's family

Stanley having a blast with a plastic bowl.

Leks pausing his exploration of Max's toys to pose.

For the most part, the boys did their "own thing." They aren't at the "playing together" stage - it's more like, "What do you have that I might want?" while protecting their own stash.

Checking out the man-tunnel.

Zombie Leks coming to take the balloon from Max.

At last, the boys are within a few feet of each other! It looks like the unifying force was their interest in the balloon.

Max and Leks

Leks playing Twister

What life might have been with twins...

...and triplets. Note Max's constant companion: his walker. Both Leks and Stanley are competent walkers. Max must have been feeling a little threatened because he rarely crawled and was distressed with the other boys attempted to use his walker!

Two heads are better than one for figuring out this envelope and card business.

Leks helping to test out Max's new toy.

"Dude, why are you eating my toy?"

The "Big Boy Brigade"

Time for cake!

From this angle, it does look like the candle is dangerously close. But it's the angle, really!

Max's trademark scrunchy face.

Max is really putting "it's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to" to the test.

Dads and Sons.

Moms and Sons.

Max's birthday card collection.

The card that daycare made for Max.

Max's original birthday artwork.