The First Tooth

Go, Blackhawks!

After Uncle Matt's birthday dinner, it's fun to choose a lap to sit on and wait for dessert.

This cute couple is Mommy and Daddy.

It's my Daddy's birthday.  And I heard there would be dessert.

I found my Daddy's drums in Gramma's basement.  I think I've found a passion.  Gramma is encouraging me.  If I start playing drums, we will have to move the drums to my house.  Gramma loves me so much, she would be willing to part with them.

Nolan is sitting independently.  A new world opens up for him.

Gramma reads her newest book, Reindeer Games, to us.  We're the main characters.

Baseball practice at Gramma's house is difficult, because Gramma is no Sandy Cofax.

What she lacks in baseball skill, she makes up for in creativity.  She invented a batting tee for us.  She can make it spring back up by stepping on the plunger.  Hopefully, Grampa won't need his plunger real soon.

Nolan gets a look into the future.  Someday this will be my bike.

Grampa and Nolan enjoy viewing the twins' bike-a-rama from a safe seat in the garage.

Nolan is showing off his first tooth (on the bottom)!

Nathan loves to help Nolan have a good time.  

The twins are happy that Nolan can now join in the fun.  Yet they are very careful to look out for him.

Andrew likes to work in Grampa's office.  It's also a good place to hide from Nathan.

The boys haven't quite mastered hide-and-seek.  Nathan tells his brother, "I'm going to hide here." and Andrew replies, "Okay, I'll go in the next room to count to 10."

When my children were little, I used to take a magazine and hide in the bathtub.  After a few minutes, I'd sneak out and they'd "catch" me.  They never figured out where I was, even though the bathroom light was on.

Grampa tries to take over the twins' favorite spot at the park.  

I always bring my phone to the park; in case I need to call 9-1-1 for help.

Father and son share a moment in the "sands of time."

It doesn't seem that long ago, I was bringing him to the sand box.  When he was the boys' age, he was going to grow up to be a digger.  Then he discovered he didn't like getting his hands dirty.

We had s'mores for dessert.  Grampa roasted the marshmallows on the gas range.  

He's nearly as inventive as Gramma.

Sometimes the old ways are the best.