Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas in Aberdeen! This is how the day started - with Duncan and Ewan awake at 6am and looking at all the presents under the little tree.

Duncan had put out a mince pie for Santa and some rice for the reindeer on Christmas Eve (which they ate of course), so now when Duncan sees pictures of reindeer, he says "eat rice." Yes, Santa's reindeer eat rice.


We started out the morning opening presents and eating cinnamon rolls and eggy-bread (also known as French toast) and drinking coffee. Yum.


Ewan opening his present with the help of James.
Poor James was supposed to catch a flight back to America for Christmas to be with his family, but because of the weather and all the cancellations and delays, he got stuck in Aberdeen. Although I'm sure he would have rather been home, we were glad he spent Christmas with us!


Duncan had been waiting so long (like days) to open the presents under the tree, so he was super excited to finally get the "yes!" from us.


Before nap/lunch time, we went outside for a walk and some sledging while Joe cooked a turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and stuffing. Ewan and Liz are going down the hill while Duncan and Amie wait their turn.


Hold on Ewan! Hold on Liz!


This was Duncan's attempt to make a snow angle. He obviously didn't know what he was supposed to do, but he's making a good effort.


Ewan loves being outside. Even when it's so cold that his little nose turns all red!


Duncan has been loving playing in the snow - at least until his fingers get too cold and hurt!


Bye for now! We're off for more sledging!

Advent

Our first Christmas in Scotland (2008) one of Joe's office mates had given us a little Christmas tree (complete with baubles and lights and tinsel) and my mum sewed us an advent calendar, so we brought our little box of Christmas things down from the loft to decorate. Duncan was excited about the tree and remembered where it was last year (so we put it in the same spot) and Ewan was "helping" with the tinsel.
These days we are enjoying our Christmas decorations, some Christmas music and stories as we prepare for celebrating Jesus' birthday in about 2 weeks time!


Ewan and the tinsel.


Duncan getting Joseph's staff ready for him.

Let It Snow!

Aberdeen has gotten quite a bit of snow these last few days! I think it all started last Wednesday (the day before American Thanksgiving), and it hasn't stopped yet! It was great to go out and play in the snow, but driving to work and shoveling with our garden hoe are two parts of this winter-wonderland that aren't so fun.

Maybe its because Aberdeen doesn't typically get a ton of snow in the winter, but whatever the reason, they really are not very good at clearing the roads here. Only the main roads get cleared (when the trucks finally come out), so all secondary (or third-ary) roads are a nightmare! My drive to work starts out in our unploughed neighborhood and ends with a 1/2 mile drive down a windy, skinny untouched-by-plough-or-gritter road that leads to the long hilly driveway into the residence where I work. Drives to and from work have been very slow this past week, and it doesn't look like this weather is gonna let up anytime soon.

Duncan and Ewan both love going outside, and the snow and cold doesn't stop them from having a good time! Liz and Duncan built a snowperson in our back garden on Sunday while Ewan and I watched and Joe rode the bus to Asda to get us some food.


Duncan getting the snowperson's nose ready...


Putting the nose on


Ewan "watching" the fun!


Tying the scarf



The finished product (except Duncan decided the nose needed some more nibbling)


Ewan singing in the snow


Eating some (not yellow) snow

Sleepy Boys

Poor little Ewan was so sleepy he could hardly sit up after eating his porridge.


Duncan couldn't stay awake to finish his sweet corn.


He's trying to fight it, but he's loosing this battle.


Sweet baby needs his cot!


Somebody better go put these boys to bed now!!
Bye!

Crawler!

That's right, Ewan is now officially a crawler! He has been balancing on his hands and knees (or on his hands and feet) and rocking back and forth but Tuesday morning, he crawled forward a couple of steps for the first time! Way to go, Big E!! He is quite pleased with himself now, and has been crawling around to find all of the toys that were out of reach before. He has also gotten brave enough to pull himself up to standing to see what he can see from a higher vantage point. He's getting so big! Also this past week Ewan's first tooth popped through - what a week of milestones!


Ewan looking surprised at himself for his new forward movement.



Here are some of our recent pictures:


Tickle tickle tickle!


I'm the only one looking at the camera, cause Joe is holding it out to the side. Guess I should've kept looking at Joe like the boys are. Oh well.


What a sweet face!


Duncan has been wanting to wear a shirt like this and calls it his "helmet." So far he has gone to the store and the doctor's office with a "helmet" as well as just around the house and neighbourhood.


Posing for the picture


Duncan wearing his Sunday Best



Bless you, Ewan!


I LOVE his laugh and smile!


Duncan likes to have Ewan sit on his belly (most of the time)


And finally, our most recent family photos:

Sports Fans

Duncan and Ewan are sports fans. They wear the gear, and they love playing with American footballs, proper footballs, baseballs, golf balls, and bouncy balls. You get the picture. Some of their newest sports wear has come from two very good friends - one here in Aberdeen and one back in Boston.


Chris bought them each this year's brand new kit for the Dons!
Of course Duncan and Chris kick the football around and I've seen Chris make some diving saves in the living room against Duncan's quick left footed kicks. I'm sure it won't be too long before Ewan is joining the game.


JC sent a box with some Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabers stuff in it for Ewan and Duncan. I'm pretty sure Joe's Bills jersey also came from JC. He's our Buffalo supplier.
GO BILLS!


I just thought I'd add this photo of the boys in their matching tops, since they're matching in most of the other photos. Ewan is enjoying his porridge (see that Vic and Hay?!) and Duncan his apples.


Bills fan.


I think Chris is teaching the boys one of the songs they sing at Pittodrie (not NaNaNa's).



Aberdeen fans checking the scores online


I like Duncan's pouty-face here.


These fans are looking pretty knackered, so we'll say good bye for now!

Birthday Boy!

Happy Birthday to Duncan!! He turned 2 on 16 October and we celebrated on both Saturday and Sunday. Duncan is funny cause he asked for "cake" and "eat cake?" all day everyday from the moment he saw his birthday cake (made on Thursday night). He finally got to have a piece (or two or maybe three) on Saturday and he greatly enjoyed it.

On Saturday AWF had a Family Ceilidh to welcome in new students/families, and since that was Duncan's birthday, we took some cake and everyone sang Happy Birthday to him. A birthday and a ceilidh - 2 great reasons to wear his kilt!

Duncan enjoying his birthday cake


Ewan wore his kilt, too. I think this was the last time for that kilt (thanks, Micah and Rachel!), cause he was sort of busting out the back of it!


Duncan and Daddy dancing at the ceilidh


It's a pretty cool look to wear your Scotland top with your kilt. He's a pretty cool kid.


On Saturday morning, Duncan opened his present from us and LOVED it. To give you a little background on how we decided to buy him this gift, Duncan has been using a squash racquet as a guitar for several months now. He often picks up other items to use as a guitar, too, but the 2 racquets we have got used the most:

Guitar playing in the pumpkin hat


Ewan gets to play the racquet-guitar sometimes, too


Opening the present~


HOORAY for a real guitar!!


He's a rock star


Another thing Duncan loves is helmets. He got to wear a few different ones while we were in America (thanks to Cousin Will and the Fair family), and has been asking for a helmet ever since. Liz got him a Bob the Builder set complete with a yellow helmet.


Liz finally let Duncan have a turn wearing the helmet


On Sunday we had some friends from church come over to celebrate. More presents and more cake - happy day!

Happy birthday to you...


High-fives for blowing out both candles!


What's a party without party-blower-things?!


Ewan getting into the party, too


Enjoying some little haggis pies. Yum!
(Thanks Christy!)


One more guitar solo +


one more bite of cake =


Good times!!!