Christmas Bandits

Everyone made out like bandits this year. Ethan got some great toys from Santa, Mommy and Daddy.



Daddy got some much needed clothing,


and Mommy got her Christmas wish.... a new sewing machine!

Ethan and Santa Clause

This year Santa made a special house call to visit Ethan. We weren't sure how Ethan would react, but true to form, Ethan was a real sport and loved Santa Clause. Santa this year was one of our close friends in the ward. He plays Santa for a lot of the little kids in the ward and does a fine job of it too!

Christmas With the Kojimas

This year we had a very nice family from Japan move into our ward. Brother Kojima is here on a teacher exchange program to teach Japanese to high school students here in Boston. He speaks English very well but his wife and kids are having to learn it here. Since Christmas is not really celebrated in Japan, we thought we'd invite them over to our place for Christmas Eve. We had dinner and a short Christmas program.

We have a tradition in our house that everyone gets to open one Christmas present on Christmas Eve. We really wanted the Kojimas to be able to join in so we bought them some small presents to open. They were very grateful and we all had an incredible time.

Kids Love the Funniest Things

We're always surprised at the things Ethan finds entertaining. This year Ethan's Curtis Grandparents sent us one of those musical, light-up Christmas cards. Ever since we opened it we haven't been able to get it away from him!


This is his favorite Christmas toy!

Bring on the Cold!

Ethan is officially ready for the cold weather. We have only had a few chilly days, but we are prepared. In these pictures, Ethan is playing in our yard. It's a small yard, but he still loves to be outside.


Don't you just love the goofy hat. It reminds me (Kristie) of a "Three Stooges" episode where Curly wears a similar hat with tassles.

Playing with the Mop

Out of all of the things in our home, toys included, Ethan enjoys playing with the mop the most. After Ethan broke the original mop by dropping it a thousand times, we got a new one and let Ethan have the old one as a toy.


When Ethan is really happy and excited, he likes to put his hands up in the air. "Manos Arriba"

Finally! Pics of Our New Apartment!

Here's the exterior of the house in which we live. It's an older house, but everything is old around here. We have a small little yard, and if you look carefully, you'll be able to spot Ethan standing behind the gate.

Here is the lovely all-purpose dining room. If functions as a dining room, exercise room and home office.

We love our new living room. It's nice and cozy.

Ethan's First Big Boo-Boo

In an attempt to flee from Mommy, Ethan tripped and fell flat on his face on the concrete porch. Ouch! He's all better now. This happened about a month ago.

A New Discovery

It has finally happened! Ethan has discovered his nostrils. We do find consolation in the fact that he's not pulling anything out yet. :)

In the Toybox

Apparently Ethan is not satisfied just with playing with the toys. He feels the need to be in the midst of his toys.

Just Chillin'

Ethan can finally drink out of a straw. Hooray!

I love my bear!

One of Ethan's favorite toys is this blue bear. More than anything, he loves to put the nose of it in his mouth and wander around the house.

Happy Halloween!

Grandma Jaralee got Ethan this cute Halloween shirt that he wore during the day on Halloween.

He got a little upset when Mommy wouldn't let him play with the camera.

At night, Ethan got dressed up in his frog costume.

Look at his cute little bum!

Our ward hosted a trunk or treat in the evening. Ethan had more fun wandering the parking lot than getting candy.


There were a lot of cute costumes. We particularly liked Ethan's friend's (Garrett's) costume. What a cute little duo!

Look what I can do! I love to do anything I see my parents doing. I especially love drinking out of Mommy's huge water bottle even if I do get half of the water all over myself.

Playing in the Cabinets

This is how Ethan entertains himself while Mommy is cooking. Usually he has his clothes on. Hee! Hee!

Apple Picking

Today Ethan and Mom went to Natick, MA with some friends in the ward to pick apples. We got to ride a little train through the orchards to where we wanted to pick our fruit.



At the farm, in the middle of the orchards, they had a play area for kids. Ethan enjoyed climbing up the haystack and playing with the pinwheels.


Here is Ethan at the top of the haystack.


Ethan enjoyed being with his friends, Julian and Hazel.


Ethan and Julian were exhausted after picking apples. It was great fun!

Moving Day

We moved last Saturday from Malden to a city called Everett. Ethan loved playing in the boxes, but Mommy and Daddy were exhausted by the end of the day.


We had some great helpers from the ward. It was a pain to get the furniture in the new place because the door frames were so small. They jokingly said that I (Kristie) prayed our couches into our new apartment, but it was probably true.