Dylan’s Birthday

For Dylan's birthday, Magnus came up with the idea for the cake.... a lion in the road. And that is what we made, complete with some matchbox cars, and broccoli and strawberries for trees!

Make a wish Dad!

Christmas Time

National Christmas Tree

National Christmas Tree (White House in background)

Throwing coins in the passing model train

Pre-Christmas with Newmans

 In early December we took a trip to San Diego and visited Grandma and Papa Newman.  Along with visiting GG (GreatGrandma Miccio), and GreatGrandma/pa Crawford, also known as GreatGrandpa Danny and GreatGrandma Denise. 

To start off the trip, we normally take a pit stop at an "In 'n Out Burger' restaurant on the way back from the airport to the Grandparents house.  As we got in the line for the drive-thru Magnus threw up in his car seat.  And that began the sickness.  Magnus was sick for 3 more days.  Then Papa Newman got sick, next Dylan, then me, with a 103 temperature. Despite all of use getting sick we still had a great visit!




  

Maliah and Mom–Chicken Dress

I found a old picture of me when I was 18-months old.  I asked my Mom, Granny Jo, to make a dress for Maliah just like the one in my 18-month old picture.  Granny Jo did great... I just had a challenge getting Maliah to pose in just the same position (with her hair flipped out too).  Nonetheless we got some cute pictures, even if they aren't exactly like my 18-month old picture.   

 

 

Deborah - 18-months old

 Taken 19 Aug 2012

Christmas Tree Lighting

We enjoyed the Christmas Tree Lighting on Ft Myer.  The US Army band played, and then the Arlington Cemetery horses pulled a wagon that brought Santa Claus to see everyone!

 

 

Maliah would only get close to Santa if Mom was holding her.  And Magnus only sat on Santa's lap after he watched a boy that is in his class sit on Santa lap... peer pressure. : )

 

Winter Christmas Festival

It was a unseasonable warm day and took advantage of it and enjoyed an outdoor outting.  We went to Ticonderoga Farms in Chantilly, VA (45 mins NW) of DC, for their Winter Christmas Festival; http://www.ticonderoga.com/winter_christmas_festival/.  The Ticonderoga farm has it all; hillside slides, Noah’s Ark playground, antique tractors and fire truck, bouncy bridge, giant jump pillow,, a petting farm, a bamboo maze,  s’mores roasting, cornshucking demos, hayrides, swings, a pumpkin patch, and much, much more.
        
         
        
        
        

And to top it off... they had Santa there. Though neither Magnus nor Maliah were interested in actually sitting on Santa's lap, but they did enjoy the candy cane he gave them.
        

Easy Flyer

On the final leg home from our last-minute Thanksgiving trip to MO (bought tickets on Tues, flew on Wed), Magnus got some time in the cockpit with the pilot’s hat.  I guess that is one perk of sitting in the absolute last seat of the plane.. there is no one behind you rushing you out so you can chat with the crew and dress-up.  (NOTE: The window by our seat, in the back of the plane, actually viewed the side of the engine!  Which doesn’t entertain a kid the way a normal airplane window view would!)

Family of Four

Maliah’s Godmother

Maliah enjoyed time over the Thanksgiving holiday with her Godmother, my older sister, Sarah.

Hanging out at the Hummels

Magnus & Uncle Andy reading

Helping Aunt Sarah to burp baby Julia

              

Hummel Clan

We were all together for the first time since July 2011, and we had our newest addition to the family, Julia Jo Panka, who arrived on 2 Oct 2012 present as well.  So we took a picture of the whole Julius and Betty Jo Hummel family! : )

Apple Picking

Papa Hummel and Granny Jo have a little apple orchard in thier backyard. Magnus and Maliah were excited to go and pick apples. With it being so late in the season there were not a lot of good apples left. But byv hoisting the kids up really high (or pulling down a branch with a garden hoe) we were able to find some good apples.
  

Checking out the harvest

These are mine!