Eli the Birthday Boy

More Family Christmas Times

It is rare that Selah will just fall asleep sitting like that.  She must have felt right at home with her Great Grandma.

Love this picture of Selah...

Christmas

Eli is trying to be patient while Selah opens her present.

Selah loves her new baby doll.

Luke is proudly displaying his new watch.

Eli is excited about opening his present.

Just what he had been waiting for...

My Mom got the three children stockings so they could feel at home.

Love this picture of Selah and her Daddy.  I hope to remember these moments always...

Whirlwind of Family

My Aunt and Uncle surprised us by driving to Michigan too. 

Selah and her Great Uncle had a mutual adoration for each other.

The three brothers...

The boys playing with GI Joes.

Of course the day wouldn't be complete without a little snow for the evening drive...

The Treasured Great Grandma

We could hardly wait to visit Great Grandma.  Selah's middle name (Margaret) is in honor of my dear Grandma. 

Then the Grandma Arrived

Right before my Dad and Step Mother left, my mother arrived for a visit.  She was planning to drive back to Michigan with me for Christmas.

It took a little coaxing, but Selah finally warmed up to another new person.

Guiding Light

Many of us men who grew up in the 1980's know and remember G.I. Joe:  A Real American Hero.  I make the distinction between which G.I.Joe because the ones that have come about in recent years have been hardly worth watching.  The show I think is something that has a place in America today it starts with the title.  These soldiers were not fighting to stop some hidden agenda they were fighting for America.  A line from the theme song goes as follows--It's purpose, to defend human freedom against Cobra-a ruthless, terrorist organization determined to rule the world.  So the team was purely designed to defend human freedom.  Isn't that what all young men should strive to do.  The public Service Announcements at the end of the show are great to watch even to this day.  When most children's shows fill up commercials with what to buy or what other junk to watch this show gave us a positive message at the end.  So if you have young boys in your house you could do worse than letting them watch this show.

Saying Goodbye to the Grandparents

We had to say goodbye to the Grandparents after almost a month of visiting...

Our Family Christmas Pictures

It took some time but we finally got some acceptable Christmas pictures of our family.

Dinner Theater

Russell has been diligently practicing to perform in a dinner theater since June.  We were so proud to attend the second night and watch our celebrity perform.

Luke was so excited to watch his Daddy perform.  He was such a gentleman.  He even pulled out my chair for me to sit down.

My Dad and Judy before dinner.

Russell (Rev. Franklin Doyle) in action.

 He barely escaped with his life!

After the show...

Baltimore Aquarium

We continued the Baltimore Dollar Days celebration by visiting the National Aquarium.  We had a great time learning and exploring as a family.

Russell thought this was funny because I was nursing Selah under the Harbor View Cafe sign.  

Baltimore Dollar Days

We took advantage of the Baltimore Dollar Days.  We toured the USCGC Taney as well as the USS Constellation. 

Our boys with Grandpa.

Eli below deck on the USS Constellation.

Luke pretending to steer the USS Constellation. 

Luke playing with a cannon on the USS Constellation.

Luke pretending to sleep in a bunk.

Eli playing on the bunk (until we got on trouble...shhhhh)

Mama and Selah.

Daddy cutting off Luke's leg....just like they did on the ship.

Taking a little rest.

 

 

 

After touring the historic ships of Baltimore, we strolled around Fell's Point until dusk.  It was fun to see all the people.

Monticello Field Trip

Since we were in the area, we decided to tour Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home).  We were able to tour all of the estate including the gardens, the house, and the outbuildings.  They even had a children's educational center there.  It was a wonderfully fun and educational day!

Luke and Eli outside the visitor's center.

The Gravesite.

Our family overlooking the gardens.

Love this picture of our boys.

Whole Family.

Approaching the house.

Stunning picture of Monticello at dusk.