Happy new year!

Don't worry, Emma -- we've still got all of 2015 to figure these toys out. 

Visiting Aunt Olga

One of our many visits this Christmas weekend was to Aunt Olga's place, so she could meet Emma for the first time. Luckily, they both behaved themselves for a change.

I got to tell her all about the presents that Santa brought both of us, and check out all her decorations. And she has a stuffed tiger like me! But she didn't name hers Hobbes. It's a real missed opportunity there. 

Christmas morning at Fort Awesome

It all happened so fast, I can barely remember it. There were presents and wrapping paper and a note from Santa and all the sudden the room was filled with toys ...

Well, look for yourself at how it started. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I've got a train to watch under the tree, and Emma has a comfy pillow. So why is Pop the one having the most fun?

Christmas party, part 2

Another weekend, another family Christmas feast. I had wanted to show you the great food we had at Aunt Rose's house, but my soup seems to have disappeared...

But Lexi and Emma had a blast with Aunt Jul. I'm still impressed they found time to color coordinate their outfits for the holiday. 

Moment of terror

What do you mean the Eagles could go 11-5 and miss the playoffs? I've been waiting my whole life for a playoff game!

Christmas party, part 1

We went to Aunt Jeanne's annual Christmas party this weekend, and everything was really calm and pretty. So, naturally, Tommy and I and all the other kids ran around like crazy. It was a blast!

Surprise!

Nobody ever expects the sideways smile. 

Trimming the tree

Almost finished...

OK, the tree is all set. So now is it Christmas yet?

Always clean your babies properly

Wash with like colors, dry on the delicate setting. 

Dad's birthday

Dad has been saying for weeks that all he wanted for his birthday was to eat me for dinner. And today was his birthday, and ...

He's really taking this joke too far. 

Learning from the cousins

You know what the best part about an older cousin is? She already knows how to read!

Getting political

Now, Emma shares her views on the president's recent decision to issue and executive order bypassing current immigration laws in an attempt to force changes in the system:

Truly, she's ahead of her time.

O-H-I-O!

Mom told me the Buckeyes have a big game tomorrow, so me and my new little buddy here are getting ready for the fun! Go Bucks!

Stealth attack

Always be aware of your surroundings. You never know what might be hiding nearby. 

Meeting of the minds

Whatcha thinking about?

Stuff. What are you thinking about?

Other stuff.

Let me sleep, Dad

Seriously, stop it.

School portrait, fall 2014

My hair was a little long that day, but I think the superhero shoes really brings the whole thing together. 

Happy two-month birthday!

It's been two months since I first checked on Jonathan's bear, so it's time to check on him again. 

I dunno, he still looks pretty big to me. I wonder what Jonathan thinks. 

This seemed like a better picture idea when we talked about it before go time...

Smile for Mom

I never show off for Dad's camera, but I didn't realize Mom had one too...

Haircut time

The hair was getting pretty shaggy down here, so we all took a trip to the hair dresser this weekend. 

Here's my before picture:

And here's my after picture:

Weird how the haircut turned my tongue blue. 

For the record, here's Emma's before picture:

And here's her after picture:

I think the trim really brings out her eyes.

Learning the ropes

OK, Jonathan said one of these turns on Thomas cartoons and one puts on the dinosaur movies. But how do I get the football game on?

The work never ends

And by the time I finish this, I bet that tree next door is going to drop all its leaves...

We're getting the band back together

Ollie and I still need to work on the set list, but at least Pop is excited to be our roadie for the tour. 

Halloween 2014

Tomorrow is trick-or-treating, and we've got our costumes all ready here:

I'm going as The Flash, because I already run lightning quick. 

And Emma is going as Supergirl, because she already has super loud screaming powers. 

And together, we're part of the Justice League, battling evil doers everywhere. Especially if there's candy involved. 

Aunt Jeanne sleeping bag

Everyone in this family is sooooo comfortable. 

Baby exercises

It's important to work on your fitness routine every day. 

Pumpkin picking

Emma and I headed to the local pumpkin patch to get some Halloween decorations for the house. I wanted to bring this one home, but Dad mumbled something about the car being too small. 

They had a ton of pumpkins at the farm this year. I thought it was mean to just leave them out in the cold field overnight, but Mom said they like it. 

And a lot of them were huge. Here's a big pumpkin, with Emma for scale.

Found the perfect one!

Here are the four pumpkins (OK, three pumpkins and one gourd) that we brought home for the porch. I still think we should give them a coat or something. It's getting cold outside.

Can I play too?

OK, Emma, you can drive the police car for a bit. But no drooling on it this time. 

Swimming with the fishes

Emma and I got to visit the Baltimore Aquarium this week. Did you know they have all kinds of fish and turtles there? 

Jellyfish too. I couldn't find their eyeballs, but they sure had a lot of arms. 

Mom and Dad said we couldn't take any of the really big fish home, but I'm pretty sure we could have found a place for this guy. Maybe the bathtub? That's big enough for me to swim in.  

But the coolest part was the sharks. Emma got to swim in the tank with this friendly guy, but Dad accidentally cut her out of the picture when Mom screamed. 

We definitely had space in the outside pool for one of these big rays. Maybe I'll take him home next time we go back. 

Happy 1/12th birthday, Emma!

Little girl is one month old today, but she's already mugging for the camera at a six-month-old level. 

Nap time

You have no idea how exhausting it is to keep up with her all day long. 

Hold on

You mean to tell me there's stuff to eat around here besides formula?

Cooing Emma

Really, I'm just a step away from talking at this point.

Frisbee practice

I picked up a frisbee for the first time two weeks ago, and Dad says I'm a natural.

Helping around the house

Since baby Emma arrived, we've all had to do a little more around the house to help keep everything normal. So, I've done my best to take on some new responsibilities:

I've been tending the garden even more, picking all the tomatoes myself.

I've taken up sewing, to help keep the baby's clothes in good condition. 

And I've taken over the weekly grocery shopping, so Mom and Dad can get a little more rest. 

Emma has been helping too -- here she is picking up some supplies from Lowe's before she fixed some broken roof shingles yesterday.

It's hard work, but we all have to do our part.