Brudders

These boys sure love each other!

Are you freaked out yet?

Can you name the baby in these photos? Hint: they are twins born five years apart.

Cousins

Our kids are blessed to live within a few blocks of their cousins. We meet at the park or the ice cream shop that their grandparents own often in the summer and at the ski hill in the winter. We go on family hikes together, celebrate lots of birthdays together, go to church together, hit the streets on bikes together....etc. I was the only-child, youngest cousin on both sides of my family and lived pretty far from all of them. Many of my cousins have grandchildren. I haven't seen some of them since I was 2 years old. I don't know what the future holds for my kids and their cousins, but for now...it is jolly good fun to be all in the same place. As of now, I have five nephews and my sister-in-law is due in Feb with a mystery child. Priya is hoping for a baby girl cousin...but we sure make some cute little boys around here...we shall see. (I do have to constantly remind Priya that she cannot marry Judah or Titus.)

Oh, and a bonus photo of Mr. Toes.

Hartman Halloween

The kids had a carnival tonight with their school. Silas is my not-so-scary scarecrow. Priya is a flower fairy. Levi, of course, is my little surfer dude. Elliot made a showing in his dino PJs, but not for the camera. Silas and Priya won second and third place for their age group. Frankly, Levi was robbed!!! Looked how cute he is; dude definitely deserved a ribbon! There was some stiff competition (one of the cutest girls in town dressed up as Yoda!!). After way too much sugar...Silas went off with Papa to watch the world series (try tracking down a TV in this town). And, Priya and Levi spun out of control until they crashed. Whew, we haven't even trick-or-treated yet.

Best Ever

This photo of Levi is one of my favorites, because...

1. The Sign.

2. The lip.

3. The cat is wearing pink panties.

Translation: "I would have brought my dog, but being a rule-keeper, I had to bring this dumb cat, which is, I know, wearing a dress, and yes, undies."

Super Pops is 95!!!

The children's great-grandfather came out with his wife from South Carolina to Colorado to celebrate his 95th birthday. The grandchildren were all really excited to have them here and, of course, they were excited about the balloons and the cake! The photos are not great, but I was able to capture Super Pops with Levi, Silas smiling at the cake, Super Pops with an old friend from Oklahoma who came to the celebration, and all 9 grandchildren on the couch.

Miss Priya

My big girl is such a helper. She loves babies, real, pretend, boy, girl....doesn't matter, she loves them. She just mastered riding her bike with no training wheels and can keep up with Silas on a 2 miles ride!!! Here are some recent photos of my sweet and sassy girl.