Merry Christmas and Happy Channukah!

Merry Max Sings and Counts

Max is 22 months old!

Max is 22 months old today! He is such a big boy it seems like he is already 2 years old, but he has a couple of months to go still. He is very excited for his birthday (or really any birthday) - when he sees balloons he sings the birthday song and asks for cake. Max also sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Jingle Bells (very rough renditions! I will try to catch on tape sometime) He loves trucks and he has begun playing with lots of Miles cars and trucks, even learning the names of many of them (although he enjoys trucks more from a distance or in pictures, because he gets scared of loud trucks like the garbage truck). Max counts to 10. He loves the ocean. Ron took him to the beach to play and wasn't planning to take him in the water since it's the winter, but Max insisted on going in the water and went underwater and everything. They drove by the ocean the other day to look at the waves and when they didn't stop to go in, Max cried "Ocean!" He still loves to emulate his big brother. He has been having a great time with him Grandma and Grandpa in some recent visits.

Miles is doing well. He can read simple words. We are in Palm Springs right now and were out to dinner tonight and the waitress was describing the specials and Miles asked loudly and excitedly "What are the after-dinner treats?!" He enjoyed his first Shirley Temple (he already loves Sprite). Then she showed a live lobster and Miles was very interested in that, he was waving to the lobster, saying hello, and was furtively touching the lobster's tied-up claws. He loves his cats, especially Scoops and he asked in a concerned way, "When we're gone, who takes care of Scoops?" Tonight when Miles prayed he said "Dear God, thank you for the chicken (we had pizza). In Jesus name, bok bok" What a character!

Max Clownin'

Miles & Max Go to Kansas City!

We spent this past weekend in Kansas City for the wedding of our dear friends Emily and Mike. The wedding took place in Lawrence and it was great to be back in what felt like a hometown. Miles performed his job as the ring-bearer to a "t", although he had to be bribed at the last minute! We stayed with our good friends, the Hoopers, and had a great time being with them again. Grandma and Grandpa Mann made the trip and we enjoyed time with them, especially in the hotel and at breakfast the morning after the wedding.

The cold weather required Miles and Max to wear their winter gear and it was cute seeing them in their hats.

Max and Caroline Hooper

Miles and Dylan Hooper


Here is a video of Max playing outside. He brought his Thomas backpack and he toted that thing through the airport, down the aisle of the plane, everywhere! He got lots of smiles in the airport and on the plane for his cuteness!



Here are some other cute recent pictures of Max

Max is 21 Months Old!

Max turned 21 months old today! His cute sayings from this past month include calling for the cats: kitty, turkey! kitty, treats! kitty, bath! (and giving the cat water at bath time), no, kitty! (and shaking his finger). He also talks about Miles: Miles sleeping, Miles gone, Miles fluffy (when patted his head). When asked a question, Max will say, yeah, no, or OK. He says thank you, more please, oh no, sorry, Max, and love you. When the doorbell rings, he thinks its Grandma and Grandpa. He asks us to "come" and takes our hand to lead us. He asks to use the scissors like Miles to open things and throws trash away. He tried pooping on the potty once but he stood and went on the floor, but another time he put him on the toilet and he pooped. But other times when we've asked him if he wants to use the potty, he says no. We went to a birthday party over the weekend and we didn't stay for the cake, but when we got home he was sort of singing the birthday song (see below video) - don't know where he learned that! He loves reading books and can identify many things in his books, especially animals. He and Miles have a cute sibling relationship and get along pretty well.

The Cute Brothers

For Grandma and Grandpa Mann

Check out Miles in his National Park shirts!

SuperMax! And CryptMaster!

Grandma and Grandpa made Boo cookies



Here is Crypt Master trick or treating. His new Puma shoes looked really good with his jeans (first time we've seen him in pants this season!)


Halloween was sort-of mixed for us again this year. Max was sick with a fever so he was dressed up briefly this morning but couldn't go trick or treating tonight. Grandma and Grandma Mann are here and we had a lot of fun with them! Miles had a pretty great day except he was overwhelmed by the large crowd at the school parade. He got really upset. He said he was scared because he thought they were laughing at him. I said, how they could be laughing at you, you look so scary, and he said they thought I looked like I clown. He enjoyed his class party but at recess they were playing a running game and he was pushed and scaped his elbow and ankle pretty bad. I was there and brought him to the nurse. The rest of the day was great for Miles.