Shogun

I had the best idea I've had in months on Friday - to take the boys to Shogun! We hadn't been out of the house all day and I NEEDED out so we went to North Park, had a little walk and a little dinner. Carter was a bit disappointed that we weren't going to Buffalo Wild's as he calls it, because he says that is his favorite place to eat. The boys liked it all pretty well but stood in the corner of the room when the fire got "big" - they didn't enjoy that at all! Carter (our picky eater) did decide he's a big fan of shrimp and scallops and ate as many off of Sean and I's plate as he could and they were both thrilled that the meal ended with what other Japanese tradition but ice cream?

Santa was good to us...

There isn't much more to say than that - Santa was very good to us this year. The boys had a great visit to Iowa (despite Lincoln's 8 day stomach virus!) they had a great time and love seeing their family and playing with their cousins - the whole drive back to Oklahoma Carter cried - I miss Mimi and Papa, and Grandma and Grandpa and all my cousins (I had to remind him to miss his aunts and uncles - guess they aren't quite as exciting as the cousins?). Carter was thrilled to get to spend some time in the snow and Lincoln was such a trooper and had a pretty good attitude for being a sick baby.

Happy New Year from the Hogan Boys!

I'll get around to Christmas soon - maybe even after this post but here are the boys ringing in the New Year about 8 last night - with their party hats, blowers (not good for the Cyclone game and daddy!) and their sparkling cider which Carter called "spicy" and decided they didn't want to drink but were happy to Cheers with! Happy New Year everyone.

An Unauthorized Driver

Nope not Carter on his new big boy (Cyclone) bike - but Lincoln in the truck. He thinks now that he's an experienced tractor driver the truck is do-able too but I'm just not so sure. Carter rode shotgun with him yesterday to help guide him but Linc spent a lot of time in the road and attempting to ramp the truck over the curbs.

The boys got to open their gifts from us on Sunday - Carter is a bit afraid of the big boy bike due to a badly timed fall - like in the first few minutes on it but both of them are thrilled with the wheelbarrow and tools that Lincoln got - now if we can just keep them from being used on one another we will be doing great and keep Carter from digging the pond he's determined to construct in the backyard.

Counting Down to Christmas

We let the boys exchange gifts last night, in our efforts to increase our farming skills and fleet we made a trip to the tractor supply store last night. I'd planned on Sean taking each of the boys to pick out for one another but since the day is approaching we went last night and took turns looking at the toys. Carter picked out a tractor with not one but two wagons and Lincoln (well Sean really) picked out a Razor for Carter. When we got home we tried to put them in bags quickly so they could exchange but Linc took the one for Carter and happily opened it for himself so he kept the Razor and gave Carter the tractors and Carter was just fine with that. So the boys (including Sean) spent some time last night and today farming - I hear that Sean spent much of his childhood farming and he still has the skills, he can make the proper tractor noises just like a little boy. I got recruited to drive the tractor today for a short while but I wasn't any good at it and got fired by Carter.

We also got messages from the north pole today, I think the boys were in awe of Santa talking to them - a little bit frightened maybe but in awe.

Carter's First Christmas Program

Carter had his first Christmas program yesterday - the pictures certainly don't do the event justice. About 40 4 year olds singing and dancing is quite a sight! They were dressed as little lambs. They sang Light the Candles One by One (which Carter tells me is his favorite), Away in the Manger, a short version of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and danced to Jingle Bell Rock unfortunately Carter stood smack dab behind a taller kid and we weren't able to capture much of his performance, from the video (and a keen mommy eye, you can see him moving and grooving in the back row). Thus far I haven't figured out how to upload the video but am hoping to get that done so everyone can see the full deal (all 7 1/2 minutes of it). Linc was thrilled with the donut and M&M offering
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Pictures by Carter and Lincoln