The drive in

So people were driving in panic mode. The funny thing that I noticed was that none of the drivers on the road took the time to wipe the 1/2 inch of snow off of their rear windshield. Driving blind....yippeeee!

I'm dreaming of a whi.....

20 minutes of snow fall

I was standing in the street at 7:00 am along with 6 of my neighbors......I know.....doofus.

SNOW!!!!

Jack woke up to cold rain and darkness. He ran to the door, peered out and proclaimed that it was going to be a snowy day......Dad, the pessimist explained that we live in the South and snow may fall, but will not stick and stay around today......that was mentioned at about 6:45, snow started to fall at 6:46....the picture above was taken at 7:15 and it is now 9:20 and it is still snowing. I BELIEVE!

Still holds true!

When Jack was an infant he would ALWAYS find the wrapping paper or package to be of tremendous interest. Sometimes more so than the actual package...I know this is true of almost all babies, but Aimee and I thought that by 4 this would no longer hold true......well (an imagination is a wonderful thing indeed!)

This pretty much explains his feelings about the gift.

Welcome to "TENT CITY"

If you look closely you can see where Jack spent the last minutes before bedtime. Merry Christmas!!

See post below

He predicted it!

Jack and I went Christmas shopping the other day for all of his cousins. On the way out of the store we saw a UPS truck parked on the curb. Jack looked up at me and asked me if we could go over and get his package out of the truck. It took a few minutes, and finally a stern look, to convince Jack that the UPS man did not have a package for him. Since then, every time we hear a truck go down our street or see one in front of a store, Jack asks me if we can get his package. Each time I have to explain to him, again, that we are not expecting a package for him. Today Jack and I get home from our day to find a big brown box with his name on it (Maggie's too). He looks at me with the confidence and joy of super bowl champion who just claimed on national television that they are going to Disney Land and says....."my package". Thank you Summar family! Dr. Cliff you are dearly missed, but we know you are livening up the "great state" of Texas and Nebraska (depending upon the semester's schedule). You made Jack's day and we are now calling our dining room "tent city".

Element #2

We at the Piland household are all about a brighter tomorrow! One that is full of the Piland way of life which requires us to be physically fit and disciplined. We feel that one way to obtain our ultimate goal of global domination (pilandomination as we call it during training) is to subject our children to the OBSTACLE course. Pictured is Element #2. A little more rigorous than the "old school" truck tires, Element #2 requires amidextrous compliance and a bodacious advancement in cognitive ability. You can see Maggie (codename "the slobbinator") exhibiting fine form and dexterity. Hand placement is perfect, but her hips are a little low (well, we will keep trying)Element #1 is still "classified" and the remaining elements are way too sensitive for a public forum.

Hands Full

It is amazing how fast these guys are growing! I feel shorter and shorter every day. Mags is still under the weather. We are on our "last shot" of antibiotics before we start talking tubes. We are praying to never have that discussion with the pediatrician. Though weakened by illness the little girl has some moxy! I really don't think Jack realizes what he is in for ;)

NO, you must FOCUS!

I know I know, you look at this picture and ALL you see is a handsome 35 year old man with a slick head (by choice.....Yes I choose to shave the sides of my head, its the smooth top portion that was forced upon me) a nice tie ($5 purchase!) smart shirt, blue eyes and a winning smile.....but NO, you must FOCUS!! If you look really hard and concentrate (ignoring the obvious) you will see the most beautiful little girl in the world (dress courtesy of Nana).

Later that evening we find our Hero.....

This pose has become Jack's MO his "Modus Operandi". Aimee and I started to notice that every time we whip out the camera, Jack goes into a Transforminjaturtlemrincrediblespiderbatmandarthvaderlarryboykungfupanda mode. I need a better camera with a much faster shutter speed as it is getting much harder to catch all the action! So to capture the fullness of this moment simply add you own sound effects....."BAM!" or "WHOP!" or "POW!" will suffice, but I have an affinity for "KaPLEWEYPOWBAMWHOPCHOW!!!!".

and a doll, a puppy, and a pony.......

No words were spoken, but after looking at this picture you know exactly what she was thinking;)

BUBBLES! ! ! ! !

Bathtime just gets better and better! No one told me that you can put bubbles in the water...this is great! I mean, at first I thought mom lost her mind, pouring soap into the water, but whoa! The more I splash the more spherical delight! OH JOY!

......and she is off!

FALL

I noticed that our trees have been fully stripped of their foliage.......this typically catalysis within me the groans of the doldrums associated with the tedious battle that rages between man rake and November winds.....AAAARRRGGGHHHH. But this year was different. My first thought was not typical to years past, my first thought was......how COOL. Jack and I can go play. So, we pulled out the blower and rake and created a pile of leaves that storied about a foot higher than Jack. After about 20 minutes of prep, the official first annual Piland family pile obliteration party began. Fun was had: Jack and Dad = 1, leaves = 0

FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE at last

Maggie has decided to camp out under the table. She is acting like Columbus upon stepping onto the dry land of the new world (I know Bahamas) she too will soon realize that her new spot is not as great as she first thought. Movable chairs and peoples feet have a tendency to strike out and get you when you are least expecting. It will be exciting to watch her seek out new discoveries and at the same time heart wrenching when she bumps her head, knocks her nose and pops her lips. All part of the fun......camera (check), ice bag (check), band aid (check)...we're ready!!

Jack attack!

Big brother on the bed.....one of the things hindering Maggie from staying still. By the way, a haircut has been received by the aforementioned bouncy brother.

Its BOW time!

It was an exciting Sunday around the Piland house as Aimee decided that Maggie finally had reached "critical hair mass" and could support a bow. Apparently, the addition of a bow is worth commemorating (I dunno, I just do what I am told;). We took about 20 pictures.....this is the only one to turn out....of course the hair brush was integral to accomplishing the task of getting her to stay still. Anywho, the more important thing (no photographic evidence of course) is that Maggie successfully crawled across her bedroom floor yesterday morning. It was quite beautiful and accomplished, yet Jack (fulfilling the role of the "Russian judge") gave her a 7/10. He said it was wobbly. Soooo, this weekend will consist of continued baby-proofing and crib mattress lowering. She is certainly fearless....and that is quite frightening!

Mom & Mags