Building Castles by Denny Lynn

January Build and Grows are here! The first one was a castle - how exciting! It even has a working drawbridge. We got our hammers and our projects and started building!

There were lots of pieces, but I figured it out pretty quick.

Once it was all together, I had a new toy I made all by myself (well, mostly!) It is always so fun to make something new.

Fun with Grandma & Granpa by John Lee

Sure we miss Mama and Daddy when they have to be gone, but it isn't so bad - after all, we get to stay with Grandma and Grandpa! We got to show off our build and grow skills with Grandpa by making our Lowes school buses.

And of course, we spend lots of time in the yard moving the gravel around and running!!

We have our own beds, but if the movie is good enough, we can share.

My favorite place is Grandpa's chair. It is electric and I can make it go up and down all by myself! Of course, if you get the chair, you should also get the remote!

More gravel work!

Making donuts for breakfast.

Here is Denny singing at church. He likes to have a turn on stage. I like to run between the pews.

We are so lucky to have a place like Grandma and Grandpa's house to go!

Happy Birthday, Mama by Denny Lynn

Mama is getting old! Either that or we are just giving her gray hair! We got to have a birthday party for her at Grandma's house. There was ice cream cake and party hats. I made sure there were presents. Of course, I know that games are an important part of any party, so I ordered them out for everyone. I liked being in charge of the party. I hope it was a very happy birthday for Mama!

Horsin' Around by Denny Lynn

While we were in Carlsbad we finally had time to ride horses with Daddy! He took us out to the Sheriff's Posse Arena to practice. 

We liked going up and down the stadium seats almost as much as being on the horses!

I am a great helper. I know where everything should do and can help set up.

John really liked the cones we brought to use as a course for the horses. When he put one on his head he would sing Happy Birthday!

Riding is seriuos business. John and I follow all the rules so that we can keep riding and no one gets hurt.

Sometimes we get to lead the horses with Daddy.

We can even ride double, but it is not our favorite. I have to hold on to John real tight and he wiggles!

Horses are alot of fun and alot of work! John didn't even make it out of the parking lot! I stayed to help Daddy gather up the horses. A big brothers work is never done!

Carlsbad Fun by John Lee

One of the cool things about the holidays is that Mama and Daddy have a few days off. We got to hang out in Carlsbad for a few days and do family stuff. We love to go to the big wooden playground by the river. 

We also play tag in the grassy area. I like to be it!

This time we crossed the river on the footbridge. It is a floating bridge and it bounces as you walk.

The big parking lot at the community center was a great place to practice on our new bikes and skateboards.

It was so fun to spend time together and play, play, play! We just keep getting bigger and the world keeps getting funner!

Happy New Year by Denny Lynn

Mama and Daddy had an Anniversary date on New Years Eve, so we stayed and played with Grandma & Grandpa. When Mama and Daddy came home, they brought noises makers and ice cream for a New Year's Eve Party!

It was very exciting to celebrate the beginning of a new year!

We got some poppers, too and shot confetti all over, since it was too dry for fireworks. We can't wait for 2012!

We Love Snow, Sort of by Denny Lynn

Snow kind of put a cramp in our travel plans this year, but it was exciting to have snow for Christmas. I had been waiting and waiting to build a snowman. Finally it was time! 

Daddy helped John and I get the snow together and shape him.

A snowman needs a body and a head.

John helped put in the arms. Mama was in charge of the face - cookie eyes and a carrot noses.

We borrowed John's new monkey scarf and one of Grandpa's hat to finish it off! I named him Thomas.

He was a great snowman and I cried when he melted. We sang the Frosty the Snowman song to remember that he will be back again next year, but I will miss him.

We also took the chance to make snow angels. Holly had shown me how. I can't wait for more snow!