3 boys in a closet

We rode the train to visit cousins at the hospital yesterday. Ethan, Nate and Samuel were a riot. At least it sounded like a riot. A magic wand turned them into various animals, but they hid in the closet to avoid being turned into a bowl of oatmeal or a fairy princess. They rode in cars up and down the hall, giggling and squealing all the time. As we left (through a different door than we'd entered) I looked back and saw a sign on the door that read "Quiet, entering research area." Oops. Too late.

Uncle Paul's Birthday

While Mumsie was in town to help out with Ethan (because he's starting chemo again), we had a birthday party for Uncle Paul. We had pizza, wrestled Paul, played duck, duck, goose and Samuel would get up and run around the circle when anyone was the goose. But when Samuel was the goose, he was angry that someone took his seat and burst into tears more than once. Paul got a monster truck so that he could bring his own over when he comes to play. He also got a picture frame from Ethan "to remember me by" but we hope that won't come to fruition.


Nate Samuel & Ethan on Paul; Ethan, Nate & Samuel eating cheese pizza

Uncle Paul being "it"

Nate's House

Samuel is obsessed with his cousin Nate. And not just Nate. Also Nate's house and we think this translates most literally to Nate and Ethan's toys. Nate's closer in age, and his name is easier to say, so he tends to get more credit than Ethan. If we so much as get on the freeway, he asks "Nate house?" And "Nate's house" gets top billing in many of his prayers. In our limited square footage we haven't invested in toys much (less is more, right?), so Nate's monster trucks, train set, and sandbox are divine when we go to visit. Thanks Nate! I did just buy a bag of sand and put it in a tub on the balcony. But nothing beats the contents of this tub.

Samuel, Nate and Ethan and three little ducks that went out to play.

Intense focus on that dump truck and track

Zoo with Mumsie and cousins

I tried to back out of the zoo excursion at the last minute because I am so far behind with G&A work, but then G&A had a power outage and I couldn't access the network. I regret that such a drastic sign was needed to get me to go to the zoo.

It was idyllic. The children all got along without any tantrums or tears and Samuel actually ate a PB&J sandwich. Bill's brother Jared and family and his sister Melissa drove out from VA for spring break so there were 6 children and 7 adults. We all rode the carousel twice and generally had a lovely time.

Samuel looking at the okapi (Ethan's favorite animal) and Samuel attending Charlotte's meal.

Mumsie, Samuel and Nate

Me, Samuel, Nate, and Sarah Brown holding hands.

Pictures of Samuel in 2007

I thought I would try this baby out and post some pictures of Samuel from 2007. Its been a good year.

Joseph