its new years, and ....

my photos are so unorganized
chances are, I'll just skip a Christmas post altogether
eh, I'm out of my element anyway with this blogging stuff
you daily bloggers ... do you just have no one to talk to???
how on earth do you blog so much???
of course, I have no one over 6 to talk to either ... haha!



skipping the long complicated story, we are staying in a condo in downtown Waikiki for the weekend.  for free!  I love free!


I got to walk down to starbucks this morning.  it was lovely.
there really are some great things about living in a city.  and now, after living in the country (or what the locals call county ... but actually, its not really country) its nice & refreshing, convenient & easy.




I have forgotten a few things about this city ...
- there are TONS of people, and at starbucks, the line was out the door.  but the crew behind the counter must've had their coffee too, and it actually didn't take too long.  it was sort of amazing.
- almost everyone in there was in workout clothes.  they had all just finished their jog/walk/bike ... but to starbucks??  who drinks coffee after a workout??  I don't get it.
- and apparently its ok to be more or less naked since the beach is directly across the street ... good grief! why wear anything at all?!


- I took another route on the way back and passed by a church.  there was a homeless man sleeping on a piece of cardboard on the front steps.  I know a lot of people choose to be homeless, especially here, but still, I wonder how people end up where they do.  don't you?
then I noticed his cardboard was one big puddle.  the man was sleeping in a puddle of piss.  whaaaat?!  I was upset ... I was so sad, so disappointed, and so angry all at once.  I still am not sure what to think of it ... but if I had an extra pair of pants with me, I would've left 'em for him.


- at night, this city is very much a party place.  the party-ers I don't like are the tourists.  its like watching spring break on mtv, which to me, is disgusting.  go get drunk, naked, and stupid at home.  you don't need to go on vacation to do that!!  right?!


- apparently Hawaii is banning fireworks, so new years will be the last big show.  this is why we came.  we plan on heading to the beach to watch.  should be fun!


have a happy & safe new years!!  
ps. I have a resolution list in the making ... rough draft, you know. :)




later tonight -
so wouldn'tcha know it ... I ended up at burger king for dinner.  its a glamourous life, you know.  but I had to walk past that same homeless guy to get there.  I don't think he moved an inch.
still unsure of how I feel about it ... but let me also say, it really doesn't matter what I think in the scheme of things, just to myself I suppose ... but I wanted to do something, so I bought him a couple chicken sandwiches.
I had Elliott with me.  he didn't get it of course, but he saw.
I couldn't give him pants, or a shower, or a comfy bed.  he gladly took the food though, and, I'm glad I could help his stomach at least.

a priceless moment

my Elliott is 2 1/2 years old.  I am insistent on naptime, even when he is not.  I will ride this one to the end ... its all us moms have!  and since I'm not having anymore kids, this really IS all I have left!!

when Samuel was 3, I was pregnant with Elliott.  I was so wiped-out being pregnant the second time around AND ON TOP OF THAT chasing him all over the place that I was insistent on naptime then too.  it was great to nap together.  I think that's the only reason it lasted as long as it did with him.  however it happened, I sure am thankful for those times.

I can't nap with Elliott; he has to be a solo napper.  I now use naptime as school time with Samuel.  sometimes it overlaps with Elliott being awake, so I'm having to keep him busy ... with something.  by the way, tips on that would be appreciated!

my point for the solo nappers ... they have those few moments before actually falling asleep.  moments of freedom in their rooms, when no one is watching them to say no.  those moments of being 1/2 asleep, not really knowing what they're doing.  somehow no matter how tired they are, that desire to anything they want holds on until the last minute.  and here's what you get ...







sometimes it takes him awhile to fall asleep, but never more than 20 minutes or so.  when it becomes quiet in there, I don't go in.  I know he's asleep.
I didn't see this until he came out of his room.  he was again, 1/2 asleep, and walked out stumbling a bit, wondering what was going out with the rest of us.  he always thinks he's missing out on so much.

he forgot he was wearing these until we tried to take them off.  he put his head all the way through the leg holes, so it wasn't so easy to get them off.  but, very very funny.

at least he got them out of the drawer and not the dirty clothes!

A Special Xmas Cake recipe ... try it!

Christmas Cake

Ingredients:

* 2 cups flour
* 1 stick butter
* 1 cup of water
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 cup of sugar
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 cup of brown sugar
* Lemon juice
* 4 large eggs

* Nuts
* 1 bottle tequila 
* 2 cups of dried fruit

Sample the tequila to check quality. 
Take a large bowl, check the tequila again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. 

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. 

At this point it's best to make sure the tequila is still OK. Try another cup... Just in case. 

Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the dang fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the tequila to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Check the tequila. 

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or some fink.

Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. 

Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the tequila and wipe counter with the cat.

Bingle Jells!

Fingerprint Friday

Fingerprint Friday was inspired by a Steven Curtis Chapman song -

I can see the fingerprints of God
when I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
and I know its true
you're a masterpiece
that all creation quietly applauds
and you're covered with the fingerprints of God

to be honest, I have never heard this song ... but reading the words without the music is still pretty inspiring, no?  God's fingerprints are everywhere.  look around, take note, and be thankful.


Does this ever get old?  not to me!

somehow when the rays of sunshine pass through the clouds like this, its such a good reminder how much went into making this place; not that it was hard for Him.  maybe it was just the snap of His fingers.  but don't overlook that simple fact, He put it together.  He put it ALL together.  

When nature offers beauty like this, how can you possibly think all you see is one big accident?

Find God's Fingerprints around your day to day and join us here!

not the "haha" funny

I think its funny that the most loved holiday is Christmas.


I think its funny how people talk about the Christmas Spirit, and somehow, this Spirit allows people to be more generous and thoughtful of others.


I know you've heard this before ... CHRISTmas.  now, how did HIS name get in there?




I know that every family has their own traditions, and yes, its not quite like that of 2000+ years ago .... but at the same time, it is.




families come together to eat, drink, & be merry. we get together and celebrate the day, together.
kind of like when Jesus was born; it was celebrated among many.


we give gifts to people who are important to us, who have a place in our hearts.  we give much, because we were given much.
kind of sounds like that CHRISTmas spirit, no?  allow me to be the first (or not) but the Spirit IS real.  you're not imagining it.  there is "something" in the air.


we all have either a star or an angel on top of our tree, right?
and that's just like how the wise men followed a star to find that newborn baby, meanwhile, the angels rejoiced.


its funny.


I also its funny how so many people know and sing our traditional Christmas songs.  you are proclaiming so much more than you know.  sing it loud!


so many don't claim to be christian, but the traditions of long ago are still very much happening ... which to me, says the same thing as ... you don't have to be a christian for God to be real.  you don't have to believe its Christ's birthday, but it is, and its happening anyway.




just my thoughts for tonight ....

YOU Capture - Outside

being in Hawaii just 6 months, I have sooooooo many pictures of the beach.  I love them all.  its difficult not to take a beautiful shot.  they don't call this place paradise for nothin'!

but for this YOU Capture, I wanted to show you something different.

I am no world traveler, but I have never seen these trees anywhere else.  I still don't know the name, or should I say, I haven't done any research on the who/what/where/when/why of this tree.

there are a lot of them around Honolulu, and zero around my neighborhood which is only an hour away.

the boys thought it was pretty neat too.
here, Samuel's Tarzan-instinct is taking over.

the established branches grow roots.
they hang and grow until they reach the ground.

a twisted mess.


join us here!

a wish come true ... sort of

have you read this book?

I bought this book for 10cents at my local thrift store.  I do try to get these kids to the library because they love getting new stories and pictures in their brains, but I do think its important to have a home library too ... I'm not saying Annie the Apple Farmer will complete your collection, but you know what I'm sayin'.

there are sooooo many cute kids books out there.  there are some really talented people that know how to communicate with kids about any subject and also, create illustrations to stir the imagination.


this girl Annie gets so many apples from her orchard!  she bakes and bakes and bakes; pies, muffins, cookies, applesauce, and then takes all her goodies to the farmer's market.

ok, so you will probably get nothing from this book, but for whatever reason, I love it.  the first time I read it, I said to myself, "self, wouldn't it be great to be an apple farmer?"  and suddenly I wanted to be an apple farmer.

here's what I imagined ...
apple season is in the fall, my favorite time of year.
the beauty of an orchard and being outside in it, plus Annie has a house there too.
I love to bake sweet things.
I love to eat apples.
but the best part -
to have your own business that includes all these things you love.

you think she's sick of apples?
too many apples is a bad thing, I understand.

my point is this coincidence ...

this last week we bought apples from Costco.  they're big, juicy, and my kids love them.
this week we visited a food bank and received lots more apples, but these, were the last of the bunch and are all bruised and not ideal for snacking on ... and then the light bulb hit ... but they will be great to bake with!

and so I found myself with more apples than I knew what to do with.  in a strange way, I found my secret wish of being an apple farmer coming true ... no, I don't have the orchard, or the house, or even fall ... but I have my own business (cooking for my family), lots of apples, and a love for baking.

I love this recipe site, and so far I've bookmarked this, this, that, and this.  I have used apples in a pork dish before, and it is yummy, but I don't have any granny smith's, I have all galas's ... I think.  what else should I do with these apples?

I'm usually the one to read to my kids ... sometimes we'll read throughout the day, but we always, always, always, read books before bed.  I'm glad that Elliott is now old enough (2 1/2) to sit and pay attention, and Samuel is now 6, so sometimes, he'll read to me.  I know they both love this tradition, and I do too.  don't just read the book to your kids, let it inspire you too.  thanks Annie! :)

winter?

does this look like winter to you?!  its definitely a winter I've never known!


while the rest of you are getting buried in the snow, shoveling, sniffling, wearing 10 layers, and making hot cocoa, over here, we are packing a picnic and going swimming in the beautiful Pacific.


do you know how awesome it is to go swimming, way past where you can touch, and still see your feet in the water?!  aaaaaaaaamazing!!


yea, I've got to rub it in a little bit.


we live in Makaha, and if you look at a map of Oahu, you'll see Makaha is at the faaaaaaaar end of the west side.  there is no paved road that goes all the way around the coast of Oahu, which is kind of a bummer.  these pictures were taken at the dead-end.  where the paved road ends, there is a trail that will take you to the north side, but I pretty sure it would be  a looooooong hike.  definitely not something I could do with the boys.  some people with 4x4's think they can make it through, but I haven't heard a success story yet.


Samuel
Elliott


apparently winter in Hawaii means the waves are huge and the current is strong.  all the beaches have warning signs up.  every time I'm there with the kids, the lifeguards come over to warn us, thankfully.  


its easy to see the point breaks, which is, you can tell where the big waves are coming from and they go one way, that's where all the surfers go to wait for that "perfect wave."  then on the opposite side, its nice and calm, which is good for the boys and I.  strange how that works.


I'm told all the surfing contests are in the winter season.  we have yet to go to North Shore and watch; that's where the BIG waves are.  those guys are flat out crazy, but, so fun to watch.


ps. I was at 9,000 feet in Colorado last year, so I do very much remember what you're going through.  I empathize!!  grab some marshmellows, light a fire, and stay warm!
... and while you're sitting there, imagine yourself at the beach!

more Xmas gifts to buy?

I know most of you don't think of Avon when its time for gift giving, but seriously, there are some GREAT deals going on.  shop online and you will get in time for Christmas ... I'm 99.9999% sure you will.  good odds, right?


first, go HERE.
second, shop to your hearts content.
here's a picture to tease you ... perfect for stocking stuffers!



Avon is soooooooo much more than makeup - jewelry (ps. I recently read Avon bought Silpada, so expect some pretty awesome pieces coming in 2011!) fragrance for him & her, clothing, shoes, gifts for children, bath & body, skin care, hair care, and on and on and on.


it can really be a 1 stop shop.  really.


don't forget to check the clearance section ... there you'll find even better deals!
then at checkout, use one of these codes for FREE shipping on your order of $30 and up -
CELEBRATE2010
RFSC26


happy shopping and merry christmas!

and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care ...

its great how hobbies, recipes, customs, traditions and the like, get passed on through the generations.  I think I was passed a sweet tooth, and that's about it.  my big sister, Amanda, was taught how to crochet ... that sounds like she was forced into it, but no, she actually wanted to learn, and, she's actually pretty good at it.


I remember watching my grandmother do it while watching tv.  all I remember her making were blankets, so we aaaaaaallllll had blankets.  sadly, very sadly, my childhood blanket she made was destroyed by my first baby, Jackson the coonhound.  but to my surprise, I received a beautiful afghan that was made for me and set aside until I got married.  I've had it for 10 years now.  I don't really use it here in Hawaii, but I won't give it up for anything.  thanks grandma.


my sister made these for me last year at Christmas -



everyone that has seen these hanging in my house, has asked me about them.
aren't they cute?!


here's a close up of one.  the top is, for lack of a better word, furry, and has bells attached.  great for breaking out in song ... Jingle Bells is the only Christmas song my son has memorized, so it works.


here's a real close up.  I don't know the correct terminology for crocheting, but I do know that this stitch is tight and strong.  these stockings hold a lot of goodies!


I trying to talk Amanda into making these throughout the year, then selling them for the next Christmas season.  here's what I need to know from you savvy, handmade/crafting, business women -

  • do you use etsy?  how do you like it?  what does a beginner need to know?  as in, give me the secret insider tricks & tips.
  • how much would you pay for 1 stocking?
  • what other colors would you like to see?
  • any/all tips, advice, references are welcome
since I just got out our stockings for this Christmas, the idea just came to light, so there are none to purchase as of now.  sorry.  I am hoping I can do a give away - Christmas in July maybe?  for you early holiday shoppers that make the rest of us look bad. :)

if you like what you see, pleeeeeeeeease leave me a comment so I can show my sister that her crafting can be fun AND can make her some money.  help me give her some motivation to take the next step.  thank you blogland!!

happy holidays!

For the lost, or lefties,

Please accept, with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make Canada great. Not to imply that Canada is necessarily greater than any other country in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishes. By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.


for the rest......

Thank you Father God for sending your son Jesus, and happy birthday!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

because they will ask ...

I try to teach my kids to know right from wrong. 
to know when to stop, or to keep going.
to know how to ask for help.
to never give up, and to try and try and try again.


a quote I heard recently -
"never look down at other people ... unless you are bending over to help them up"
I want to teach them that too.


I teach them if someone isn't treating you right, use your words.  if that doesn't work, get an adult.  and if that doesn't do anything, walk away and find something else to do.
everyone doesn't know the golden rule.  I wish they did.  if they did, I think it would solve a lot of problems.


its funny, what you try to teach your kids, its usually a good "refresher course" for the parent too.  I suppose God had that in mind when he created these kids.  perfect just for me.


of course as I'm re-learning some of these lessons, I have more questions.  questions I'm afraid my kids will ask, because 1. I know they will ask eventually, and 2. I'm afraid because I don't have the answers.  


certain things are so black and white, yes or no; so easy, uncomplicated ... I guess all that entails (the not-so-common) common sense.  other things are the exact opposite, but, I don't need to tell you that, do I?  allow me to quote your mother, and mine "no one said life was fair."


its one thing to know it in your head, but when you're living it out, all these "what if's" come into play, and its very, very different.  it seems there are so many rules that bend due to the circumstances.  everything doesn't have a final line in the sand ... and I think that is what is driving me crazy.  I guess I'm a person who likes boundaries and it kills me to be the one to make them.  but sometimes you have to, like with the things you teach your kids.


what would you do, if you couldn't be you?  if you weren't accepted as you are?  if everything you said, thought, and felt was debated, questioned or attacked?  as I teach my kids, if all else fails, walk away ... because there is only so much you can do with that.


but do I, as an adult, also walk away?  or do I take it, because the rules say I have to?  or are rules and boundaries made as a guide?  kind of like the ropes in the water that say 'its safe to swim here, but not over there' when really, its the exact same.  
which is the better example for my kids?  I never want to live a lie.  I am not a fan of "fake it till you make it," to me, its based on a lie, but to me "practice what you preach" is very true.


too many euphemisms?
they're kind of like stereotypes; no one likes them or wants to be stereotyped one way or another, but there is truth to them since they're based on the majority.  right?


now in my opinion, the important part is to not hold resentment.  don't get bitter.  don't hold onto the offense and let it root in you.  I can't help but think of "don't hate the player, hate the game" ... can't believe I just said that, but hey, its true.  to me its just like what Jesus said " father forgive them, for they know not what they do."


certain things in life don't work on a clock.
issues come when they need to.
holiday or no holiday, its when God says "NOW."

good grief

does it bother you to have too many choices?


you go to the grocery store for 1 thing, and there you find an whole entire isle dedicated to that 1 product.  100 different manufacturers that claim to be the best, when really, they're all the same.  yet, I still have the hardest time choosing.  you?


in a department store you find thousands of shirts, and still you have to look at every single one before buying 1, right?  I do.  ugh.  what a chore.
I haven't shopped in a department store in {what seems like} forever, but same principle applies to thrift stores.  maybe even more so because you never know what you'll find there, so you want to make sure you everything.  its fun, but also a chore.


today I began a search to see what other designs there are for this lovely blog.  why?  no reason really ... but now I see that there are TONS of adorable designs out there.  and FREE too.  I'm definitely too cheap to pay someone to design a blog ... although, to you professionals bloggers out there, you're blogs look great.  I can totally see why you'd hire someone else!



  • I'm looking for something girly, but not too girly ... because that's not me.
  • something you don't have to squint to focus on when you come to my page.  that would be a turn off.
  • something not too busy.  that would just make it automatically ugly.
  • something simple, but pretty.
  • something different & original, but not crazily abstract.



I somehow feel like it will be one of those things that when I see it, I'll know it.  yes I know it can be changed, but ... oh, I don't know.  I don't want to hassle with it.  I know that if I don't love it, I'll end up changing it every 2 weeks or so ... and won't that be annoying for you?!
its like some kind of identity crisis.  hahahaha.  I guess this is my OCD side kicking in.


those of you that did not hire anyone, who use blogspot for you blog (or maybe that matter?), and want a cute blog, where do you "shop" for it?  help.

YOU Capture - Sweetness

love
what can I say?
Samuel loves all creatures alike.


capture your moment of sweetness and join us @


good news

a good news update -

by total "coincidence" our neighbors neighbor (people we know in the complex, just on the other side of the complex ... our neighbors, right?  it was their next door neighbors.) was cleaning out the kids room and had some stuff to give away.

I'm told the "kid" is 17 and is just now getting around to getting rid of his toys from youth ... kind of like toy story 3, maybe?  but we didn't know this guy.  he wasn't necessarily giving to give, but maybe he was ... I think it was more like getting rid of junk.  either way, its a HUGE blessing for us to receive it.

there are TONS of hotwheels, along with buildings & roads to build for them, various balls, a kite, a big box of legos ... lots of boy stuff.

it was really making me sad that the boys wouldn't have anything to open from us for Christmas.  I cried.  it was perfect timing.

God gets me.
that's perfect too.

this counts as science in my book

I posted awhile ago that my boy(s) need recess first before concentrating on school ... or anything that takes focus.  they both just wake up with FULL energy levels.


I've been slacking on that, and yesterday when I realized their morning cartoons were finally turned off right before lunch.  that doesn't happen daily, but still, I felt so guilty.


it hit me like a ton of bricks; we all get so unmotivated to do anything if we're couch potatoes first thing ... and I don't even watch, I get caught up in reading the news, blogs, facebook, emails, etc.


bad mommy.  bad teacher.  bad example.


today is a new day.  luckily I got another chance.
today, they got up at 630am.  not cool.  at least wait for the sun to come up!!  right?!!
for me that means, no walk = 1+ cup of coffee.


we still watch cartoons, but only for an hour or so.  we have breakfast, then its out the door to discover what's out there ... even if its just a walk within our gated complex.  no shower required.  just throw on whatever + shoes + my camera!


today we woke up to clouds and a bit of rain.  that's winter in Hawaii.  no sun makes it cool, but definitely not cold.  jacket optional.

but having this "winter weather" allows us to see things we don't normally get to see everyday.  the snails were out.  the peacocks stay out longer since its not hot.  the air smells different.  the mountains looks different.  and as far as bugs go, its like a whole new world.  needless to say, Samuel LOVED it.




look what he found today ...


this is the beauty of homeschool.  isn't it great?!










maybe I do need Santa

I am totally missing the Christmas Spirit this year.

  • we're in a new place.  so no family, no church family.
  • no snow on the ground, so no reminders its Christmas time at all ... I'm from WI where we did actually have white Christmas'.   not too many people put up lights and such here either.
  • new job with no money coming in ... without money, there will be no gifts, no tree, no decor, no lights, nothing.  I am sad that its money that could change that.  honestly, I miss all the traditional stuff of the season, and not the not having money thing.  really.
  • and I can't seem to forget I married a man who has always been a Scrooge and who is not "a fan" of traditional things.  boo.
its depressing, right?

I am doing my best not to turn into a Scrooge.  not something I want to pass onto the children.

I understand having stuff is not what Christmas is about.  its about giving and not receiving.  its about living in the moment, while you're making memories.  how do you do that with the above list? 

even with money, we'd do this stuff.
here's our yesterday ... aaaaaaand I'm out of ideas.  help.


opening his snowflake

makes a cool shadow in the afternoon

looks strange with this background, doesn't it?
it does for me.




yes that is a pig, a turkey, and a bunny that you see.
don't ask why.  

as you can see, I'm not great at rolling even dough.
practice makes perfect, I suppose.
good thing hubby likes those really crunchy ones!

goodbye

goodbye Eeyore.
you have been loved by 2 little boys ...

you mostly stood guard for Samuel in his crib during his nap/bedtimes.  we played your heart song (that button inside its body that kids can never find) twinkle twinkle little star often, but Samuel's lovey turned out to be someone else.  I hope that didn't make you sad.


but I saved you, and its a good thing I did.


you have brought much comfort, lots of kisses & hugs, and that wonderful song of yours to Elliott for 2+ years.  he never took a binky, but he did find the tag on your bottom; chewing & sucking on that thing until there just wasn't much left.  see picture.

by the way, I never really understood when I heard other moms say their babies love tags ... I get it now; its a real obsession!



Elliott has loved you deeply ... up until he threw you in the toilet and now deems you as "eeeeeewwwww! P-U!"  his words, not mine, Eeyore.

I have washed you many times, and although your song continues to play, Elliott knows that deep down, somewhere, somehow, you're still stinky.


so with that, its time to say goodbye.

thank you for doing your job ... loving my kids.

Fingerprints of God

I got this shot of Samuel yesterday.  I LOVE it.
coincidentally, I found this at The Rusted Chain

I think the two go together perfectly.

YOU Capture - Kindred

I love all the carnivals going on in blogland!  I'm trying to find ones that I can get into ... YOU Capture is one I can get into.  thank you!


read about how to do it here, and then join everyone at I Should Be Folding Laundry.




 kindred - what a great theme to take pictures of!


for me, this is easy.  I have 2 kids, and although they are nearly 4 years apart, they look like twins ... of course they're different sizes, but look at the pictures and you'll see that clearly they are brothers.



climbing trees together

waiting for lunch ... mama, I'm staaaaaaarving!

Elliott says "just kidding"

bathtime got quiet.
I knew no one was drowning, so I got the camera ready.