Christmas

  There was a lot to do to get ready for Christmas.  It was very important that Luke visit Santa and let him know what was on his Christmas list.  Then, each morning Luke had to look for Pickles, his elf.  Each night, Pickles returned to the North Pole to report to Santa if Luke had been especially helpful (or not) that day.  Pickles always chose a different place to spend the next day.  

Trying on the stockings

We spent Christmas with Lisa's family at Sharptop Mountain Cove.  Sharptop is a Young Life camp and our brother-in-law Chad works for YL and is able to get us one of the cabins.  It is a beautiful camp in the mountains of north Georgia.

Christmas was toymageddon.  Luke got tons of toys, including an r/c race car and helicopter, a rocket ship tent, a big wheel, Kermit the Frog and Big Bird, multiple Mr. Potato Heads, toys, toys, and more toys, and a new train table which Santa left for him at our home.

Luke's train table. 

Lisa's photo of sunset at Sharptop. 

An hour-long exposure of showing the earth's rotation as represented by star trails. 

Nina comes for a visit

Damien's mom, Lauren, came down to Atlanta for a visit in November.  Luke had a great time visiting with his "Nina."  We took a trip to the Fernbank Natural History museum and learned about dinosaurs.  Luke also liked his Nina's sharp new red car. 

Huntin' for a Pumpkin

Luke and Damien had fun huntin' for pumpkins for Halloween. 

Halloween

Way back earlier in the year, Luke was introduced to "The Wizard of Oz."  It quickly became his favorite movie and for Halloween, he wanted to dress up as the Tin Man.  We thought we'd have fun and make it a family affair.

Luke gave Caleb a big Halloween hug. 

Caleb, Colby, and Luke, aka Buzz, Mickey, and the Tin Woodsman, walk down the street for candy.

Luke remembered this guy dressed up as Darth Vader from last year and was sooooooooooo excited to see him.  He literally ran to him.  He made Lisa dash a half block just to get there.  We had to go up to his house three times so Luke could talk to him.  Luke told him that "D" is for Darth Vader (from his Star Wars alphabet book).  Darth Vader said Luke was the bravest boy he had seen all night.  

Fripp Island trip

Back in mid-September we took a beach trip with Lisa's family to Fripp Island, SC.  The weather was cooler than expected, so we didn't get a whole lot of beach time.  We just had a good time enjoying each others' company.  Here are some photos:

 

 

Cold weather - brrr. 

Luke is the Alligator Hunter!

The water was so cold!  All the adults watched from the side (in sweats!)