Brothers

These two little minions (actual Minion/Halloween pictures to come) can be quite the buddies.  It's such a joy to watch and hear them playing together.  One seems to always be copying the other.

Hitchin' a ride and smokin' a beef stick...or maybe it's a Lincoln log...?

Trying on Toma & Sandu's slippers

Pumpkin Carving

Jack, Toma, and Sandu had their first experience of carving pumpkins Monday night.  I'm pretty sure all three of them enjoyed it.  I also made them a pumpkin pie to try.  I was a bit skeptical as to whether or not they would like the pie.  They loved it though and asked for the recipe.  Here's to introducing Kazakhstan to pumpkin pie! :)

Toma and Lane

Diving in!

Oh Jack! 

Focusing

The finished product

The ladies are very sweet to the boys, who have really warmed up to them.

Kazakh Friends

We have two women from Kazakhstan staying with us for a couple of weeks.  They are in the states for construction education training.  We have really enjoyed them so far.  Here are a few pictures of our first weekend together.

The ladies gave both the boys a King Size Snickers...HA!
Luckily they come in two pieces--one half was obviously
still enough to thrill Lane! :)

"Chatting" with the ladies through Google translator.
Not sure what we would do without it!

Making Lagman (a Kazakh dish) for us 

Hanging out and grilling at Ledges

:)

Growing up TOO fast!

Looking entirely too old in my opinion

Old enough to dress himself :)

Lane is not my baby any more!

The speed at which these guys are growing & changing makes me want to enjoy each day.

These guys LOVE their daddy!

Dad and Mom's Grand Ideas

One of our recent library books was "Eggbert the Slightly Cracked Egg".  After reading it to Jack, Ryan asked Jack if he wanted to paint an egg, which quickly turned into all of us painting an egg.  The seriousness with which everyone (except Lane--his was the more-than-slightly cracked egg [hard boiled of course!] by the end :)) painted their eggs was quite humorous. :)

(Notice "Eggberts" to the top left)

Lane wanted his picture taken as well

Mom's latest "grand" idea was a couple of big boxes and the contents of the paper shredder.

BIG hit...BIG mess! 

The photos don't come close to doing the mess justice
...but it was so worth it :)

You make the mess...You clean it up :)
(Actually, using the vacuum is a highly sought after "chore")

Okay, so Lane really should have been the
one with the vacuum!

Lane Samuel

Quite pleased with his Lloyd Christmas haircut
(hate it when that happens!) and big brother's boots :)

Where else would the oranges go when mom
lets you have a truck on your tray?!