Meeting Old Man Kringle

This is the first year that Ethan really gets the whole Santa Clause thing. He likes to call him "old, fat man." We usually have to let surrounding people know that he means Santa and not Daddy.

When Ethan found out we were going to visit Santa today he got so excited!


What do you want for Christmas Ethan?


A TRAIN!!!!

Snow, Snow and More Snow II

The snow just keeps on coming. Since the last blog we had ANOTHER snow storm that piled on four more inches to the already amazing amount we already had. Good thing we know what to do with it!

Here's the pile of snow in our yard.

Mommy taught Ethan how to make snow angels.

Ethan loves the snow!

Snow, Snow, and More Snow!

It seems like we just finished digging out from the storm on Thursday, but another one is upon us. Church was canceled, and Cory spent the morning with our neighbors shoveling the snow. It's hard to believe that before Thursday there was no snow on the ground.

Ward Christmas Party

We had a great time at the Ward Christmas Party this year. It's the first year since we moved to the Boston area that we were able to stay for the whole time and enjoy it. In the past, Cory was busy studying for finals so we always had to leave early. He finished his finals for this semester on Tuesday. Hooray! Ethan was also able to see Santa and get a special treat from him.

Making Gingerbread Houses

On Friday night (Dec. 14), we got together with some friends to make gingerbread houses. Ethan enjoyed playing with his friends Ben and Grant. They had so much fun playing together and eating the decorating candy that the parents ended up doing all of the work. It was great fun!

Our Funny Boy

Ethan makes us laugh all the time. He loves to put Mommy's hat on and run around the house. On this particular day, gloves and a scarf were stuffed in it. He enjoyed looking at himself in the mirror with the hat on.

Thanksgiving Feast

This year, we decided to host Thanksgiving dinner. We invited three other couples from our ward to share the holiday with us (the Burninghams, Faustinos, and Pulsiphers). Cory made the turkey. It was the best turkey we've ever eaten! Our friends brought most of the side dishes so that was very nice. After we had stuffed ourselves, we decided to burn off a few calories by playing Dance Dance Revolution. It was a blast! Ethan also had a great time with his friends Lucy Burningham and Grant Pulsipher.

Family Photo

A friend of ours is good at photography so she offered to take our family photo this year. We especially love this particular one even though Cory isn't looking forward and Ethan isn't smiling. He really is a happy, smiley child. He just doesn't like to smile for the camera.

Bunker Hill Monument

This week we were able to visit the Bunker Hill Monument, a memorial to the famous battle at Bunker Hill from the revolutionary war. We would have liked to climb up the 296 steps to the top of the monument, but we got there too late.

Ethan thought the statue was worth checking out.

The funny thing is that Ethan found the flowers to be the highlight of the experience.

Happy Halloween!

Our ward hosted another "Trunk-or-Treat" this year. True to form, Ethan enjoyed running around the parking lot more than getting treats.

I decided to join the fun this year by wearing my nun costume.

Here is Ethan with his buddy Garrett.

We also found Ethan's twin costume on Charly Shumway. What cute little monkeys!

Ethan sure enjoyed eating his candy (and so did Mommy and Daddy).

Go Red Sox!

On Tuesday, Boston hosted a giant parade for the new World Series Champs. A few of us from the ward decided to venture into the mayhem to attend the parade. We had great fun and the spot we picked wasn't too crazy so we were able to spread out a bit. Ethan and I, along with our friends, took the subway (the "T") into Boston to avoid the crazy roads and all the traffic.



One of the Red Sox Players is showing off the World Series trophy.

Check out the crowd. It was crazy in spots!

Hayride at Wilson Farms

On Monday, a few of us from the ward went to a local farm for a "haunted hayride." It was short, but fun. We were able to see all sorts of spooky scenes while on the ride.

Ethan Holding Baby Bennett

A couple of weeks ago Trish, a friend of ours, brought her two kids over so that Ethan and the older child could play. This is Trish's other child and Ethan was excited to hold him even if he doesn't look that excited in the picture.

New Hair Gel?

Ethan enjoys making mashed potatoes and playing with them more than eating them. We couldn't resist laughing after seeing him put the mashed potatoes in his hair. We think that he learned this from his Uncle Alan.

Making Mashed Potatoes

Ethan enjoys doing anything that involves using the mixer or beaters. He asks Mommy nearly every day in his cute way, "Make cookies?" We had fun making mashed potatoes on this particular day.

Fixing the Computer

A few weeks ago, our computer died on us. We'd had it for 5 years so I guess we should not have been surprised that this happened. Ethan really wanted to get in on the action. Cory had a hard time putting the new parts in because Ethan wanted to help but was really kind of in the way. We love this stage that Ethan is in. He just wants to help his mommy and daddy and do what they do.

Boston Children's Museum

Boston has a great children's museum. We decided to get a membership this year so that we'd have something to do in the winter. Ethan has a blast every time we go. These first two pictures were taken in a room that is devoted to bubbles. In addition to making bubbles, Ethan tries to splash everyone with water too.


This room is filled with all sorts of contraptions that the children can put golf balls in. Ethan could spend hours in this room.

The museum is located right along a river. It's a beautiful area, and the view is spectacular.

Pre-Halloween Fun

On the day we bought Ethan's Halloween costume, Cory thought it would be funny to put him in it and give him a banana to eat. What a cute little monkey!