Peter and Anna on the Floor

How I love these two. And their budding relationship. Peter is quite sweet with Anna most of the time, giving her kisses even when he doesn't know I'm looking, and bear hugs, bringing her toys (sometimes even his own!) Anna simply adores all things Peter. Today he ran up to us as I was holding her and she let out an excited squeal of laughter, flailing her arms and kicking her legs.
Peter enjoys this, sometimes. Other times, her attention is a bit much for him. Particularly when they're on the ground, the playing field is leveled, and Anna is using every bit of her newfound mobility and manual dexterity to catch and grab (and probably chew, if it came to that) her brother. Here are a couple classic sequences (pretty much any day Anna comes with me to get Peter up and change his diaper after his nap). I lay them parallel on the little quilt. And then, in a flash...

Pulled off the protesting Peter; pleased with herself; ever delighted in her brother; plotting her next attack.

One more campaign: Going for the book

Here's a story: So, Peter is in the habit of asking me to kiss (to heal) all his wounds. Peter and Anna were laying on the floor of his room as he was getting his diaper changed. Anna, always the aggressor in this position, rolled over onto him and snatched his little 4" fuzzy lamb (pictured below), and stuck it in her mouth. Peter, aghast, crying, "No, no, no!" retrieved the lamb and then surveying the damage, "Mommy, kiss that drool!"

Not sure if this sequence was immediately before or after:

Peter: Indignant;  Anna: Adoring and Unrepentant

But in other moments, they look like this (sitting together at Peter's request)

I treasure this little seed of their brother/sister friendship. May it grow to a mighty tree! 

Happy Holidays and So Long 2014

T'was the night before the night before Christmas...

This year, the 23rd was Christmas Eve. Lovely Christmas Eve service. Christmassy PJs. Putting out presents. Staying up 'till midnight assembling a train set for a little boy. Since we were traveling on the morning of the 25th, we decided to have a relaxed "Christmas Morning" for the kids on the 24th. 

It started with Christmas smoothies (and Christmas mustaches.)

Presents and stockings...

I guess I didn't take very many pictures of present opening. Though I believe we got some good video, which may surface at some point. Besides the few things we got for the kids, they had many wonderful and generous gifts to open from Grandma, Grandpa, and the Rockrose Crew [Martin/Kim Family]. Here's Peter, maxed out on present opening, chillin with Mrs. Carrot Head. 

[A week later, we are so enjoying our new presents! Thanks, all!]

The morning of the 25th, we got to celebrate with this festive bunch!

Siena's been quite taken with Peter's hair.  

We love our Trabandt family, and love seeing our kiddos play together.

The 26th was our "Christmas Day" with Grandaddy, Oma, and Aunt Gege. Something was bothering Anna throughout the holiday, the main reason I have so few pics to show for the 25th and 26th. But here's a great series of these two goofy guys: 

At the Gregg house: Here's the happy hunter. Happy in spite of the fact that he was just finally putting away his gear when 3 deer traipsed across the back field, each taking a turn to pose in front of his just-vacated tent hide. 

A beautiful morning for Christmas Day #4.

Oh yay--blackout curtains!

The girls

Before the drive home, we went out on a long walk in hopes that it would yield long naps in the car, and maybe a train sighting (it did neither.) But I always love letting the boy (and his Mama) run around out in the fresh country air. 

So that was our Christmas 2014. 

It was the first year that Peter was able to understand a little of the coming of Emmanuel, God with us. He loves the stories of that Bethlehem stable and all who belong to it--the shepherds and their sheep, the wisemen and their camels, "the donkey bearing a precious load/ who trudged the long and weary road." He loves the "warrior of light" who came to the shepherds. He loves baby Jesus who, I think he understands, grows up to be the Jesus of his Bible stories, the Jesus of our songs and prayers. Amen. May his love for Jesus grow year by year, and may the mystery of the incarnation blow our children's minds.  

As 2014 closes, we are very grateful, with much much much to be grateful for. 

All praise and glory to God, and thank you to all who were part of it. 

The Fall in Pictures, Part 3

One more round of pics for the Fall. 

Here's some cuteness eating her oatmeal, and bracing for the cold. 

My crazy kiddos, and my favorite Daddy in the world.  

Anna taking over the play mat. 

Peter's Potato Plant

Thanksgiving Day with Grandaddy and Oma. 

(The TV was on, hence the blank stares.)

And here the day after, special reading time with Pop-Pop

Hide and go seek. Siena found them. 

Cold, Shmold. This boy needs to run around out in the fresh country air. 

Home again, getting back into the daily groove. Have I mentioned that Anna LOVES her big brother. 

My cuties

Finally, here we all are after church one Sunday in what became our Christmas Card shot. 

(Thanks, Rachael!)

Merry Christmas from the Martins!