Brothers at the park

David helps John stay in the wagon

Swinging!

Happy birthday, Uncle Brian!

I'm enjoying some birthday Cheerios to help celebrate your day.

Hell hath no fury...

...like Mary Beth after her firstborn has been attacked! David got into a hidden fire ant nest under the walkway just outside the front door earlier this afternoon (he's fine, it just scared him, and us!). Ned suggested the tried and true ant poison, which disables their nervous systems, rendering them immobile and ultimately quite dead. However, Mary Beth decided this would not be nearly painful enough ("if their nervous systems are disabled, they won't FEEL anything!"), and quickly had a kettle of boiling water ready to go. Sheesh...good thing Ned didn't suggest the OTHER tried and true fire ant fix, which involves gasoline...

Construction worker David

Practicing his game on a welcome, warm day.

Getting comfortable

John's a big fan of the new king sized bed.

Elephant wrestling

Thanks for the toy and all our new clothes, Gram. The toy is our favorite!

John's reward

For being a good traveler on our trip to Oxford today, we made a stop in Clinton so he could visit Aunt Angie. He was all smiles to see her.

Brothers

While David is distracted by his iPhone, John sneaks cereal from his brother's snack trap.

The 2012 photo book...DONE!

I just finished assembling our 2012 Team Mitchell photo album, just in time to order it before my coupon from Snapfish expired. It took almost three days to get everything together (assembling photos and then ordering them for the book).  Thanks is due to Mama for my mad yearbook skills--no trapped white space, don't use photos where people face off the page, etc. Whew! Glad that's over...until April, when I need to put together John's first year book. Here's a favorite photo of David, ready to head out the door for his first day of school (August 2012).

Parents of the Year

John has figured out that under the kitchen table--specifically, underneath his brother's chair--is the best place in the house to scavenge for delicious morsels...

John at 9 months

It's good to have Daddy home

Why do babies love to unload cabinets?

John's many faces

Scary monster

Sweet boy

David misses Uncle Daniel

Somebody's sleepy!

Happy birthday, Will!

Yesterday afternoon, Team Mitchell enjoyed Will's construction-themed third birthday party. Who knew that a baby pool full of pebbles and tractors could be, in David's words, "so much fun!" (Don't worry, grandparents -- we put the paci in John's mouth and watched him every second to be sure he didn't try to eat any pebbles.)

Playing in the toy basket

Ned--help me!

David just helped himself to a plate of marshmallows while I was changing John's diaper.

Happiness is...

a bottle and an iPad (respective opinions, of course)

You'll shoot your eye out!

David says, "Thanks, Uncle Jim. Mama would never have bought one for me!"

More tunnel fun!

Less than 24 hours until kickoff

Nervous. Excited. Can't wait for kickoff! Who knew when we took this photo that we'd be playing in the national championship? John's our lucky charm!

Christmas G&Ts

Late, but still delicious.

Hotty Toddy!

Go Rebels!

Uncle Daniel leaves today...

David and John sure are going to miss him, but not as much and Ned and Mary Beth will! Thanks for all the help this week!

Fun art behind the Klondyke

Visit from Gram and Big Daddy

It was great fun. We played with our new Aquadoodle at Grandaddy and Nana's house, and Gram helped us draw octagons. Big Daddy stacked towers with blocks and dinosaurs, and on New Year's Day we ate lots of black eyed peas, greens, and tamales. Thanks for visiting!

The Takeover

Things around here have been busy with family fun, Christmas presents, and general toy mayhem. We'll try to catch up with holiday posts soon.  For now, see how David quickly took over John's present from MA & Jimmy.

John checks out his new tractor.

Then David decides he wants to check out the new tractor.

John realizes he's no match for his brother, who wants his toy, so he bails out.

And David's toy takeover is complete.