I've been meaning to post this for many moons!!

The Annual (???) Christmas New Years St. Valentines Tax Reminder Letter from the Buyskes has arrived!

Benedict Douglas joined the scene on August 27, 2007!  Hooray!  Welcome, our little Blessing!

Costumes: For Halloween this year, Will borrowed his daddy’s old cap to top off his train engineer costume.  Accessories included a wooden train whistle and lantern.  Wearing a white sleep sack and a yolk yellow stocking cap, the little brother was the cutest little Egg Benedict you’d ever see!

Dump truck mania!  It is starting to look like a Tonka truck rally in our house!  Will spends hours each day playing with his trucks, trains, cars, and planes and Ben loves to watch and grab what he can.

Earmuffs!  These would come in handy every once in a while to cover Will’s receptive little ears.  Mommy found this out the hard way after a slip of the lip following a sticky spill led to a toddler using some colorful language.

Flight suit.  Matt is a hard working pilot stationed with VP-46, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.  Currently qualified as a Patrol Plane Commander, he’s training to become an Instructor Pilot and is studying for his Mission Commander Boards.

Galveston Dust, Burnt Clove, Lemon Grass Sage, Scenic Desert – Wow, they come up with rich names for paint!  Kelly and Matt have painted nearly every room in their home this year.  Lots of work, but love the results.

Honeymoon… Matt’s still promising one… Kelly’s patiently waiting…

I-Chat: Isn’t technology incredible?  We stay connected across the miles with the grandparents and various aunts and uncles via videoconference on the computer.

Jogging indoors.  Matt and Kelly, tired of waiting for the return of the sun, invested in a treadmill this winter.  Kelly’s goal: 10 K, here we come!

The Kitchen is Kelly’s favorite room of the house, with cooking and baking as the favorite hobbies.  Cakes and cinnamon bread are the most frequent guests of her oven, so come on over for a slice!

Lake Milnor = our favorite Montana getaway.  We enjoyed a visiting Matt’s grandparents in July. Will even had the chance to ride in Grandpa Bill’s boat and cool off with a dip in a lake with Dad and a very large and in-charge Mommy (expecting Ben’s arrival).

“Motocyco! Bwwwoommmm!” Will loves looking at them, listening to them, talking to Boppa about his, but he especially enjoys riding Ben like a motorcycle.  This used to freak Mommy out, but judging from the cute baby giggles, Ben appears to get a kick out of it.

“Nudder one, pwease.” Will can’t get enough time on the laps of those willing and able to read to him.  In fact, book time eclipses dump truck time! (Cue the proud mommy/teacher smile)

Oregon Coast: We celebrated Ben’s baptism over the Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by beautiful family, friends, and the coastal scenery near Tillamook, OR.  It was a very dairy good time.

Potty trained, and proud.  The big little boy is diaper free all day long!  Hooray!

Quick! Get the camera!  They are growing fast, and there are so many great moments with these fun boys.  It is amazing how the second child’s photo portfolio is about half as thick as the first’s, though…

Rolls upon rolls.  Ben’s got ‘em.  He doubles up on the chin and it’s nothing but chubby baby down to his toes.

San Diego has been the destination for many of Matt’s training missions this year.  He’s missed at home, but at least Daddy gets a little fun in the California sun when he’s not flying.

Two years old!  Will celebrated in style at Nana and Boppa’s (Kelly’s folks) during a trip to Iowa this fall while Daddy was training (see above).  Grampa and Gramma (Matt’s folks) and Aunt Molly, as well as Great Grandma and Grandpa McGillick were special guests.

Ultimate Challenge:  Ping Pong. You. Me.  Casa Buyske Rec Room. BRING IT!

Visitiors!  Will and Ben (along with their parents, who know they are of secondary importance now) had the pleasure of entertaining many of our family and friends this past year, enjoying time with Gramma and Grampa, Great Grandparents Buyske, Uncle Mike, Uncle Joey, Aunt Jen, Aunt Molly, as well as Nana and Boppa, Uncle Matto, Aunt Jill and Uncle John.

Wow!  We cut down our own Christmas tree this year, and made sure it was a good one.  All ten feet of our pine helped us celebrate in style with Matt’s family here in Anacortes.  We had a ball playing games, chatting it up, feasting in style, and just hanging out.

X-country and across the ocean:  This summer, Matt will lead his crew on a six-month overseas deployment.  Kelly and the boys plan to spend the time in Montana and Iowa, hitting a few other destinations along the way.  Keep an eye out; they might just be coming to a town near you!

You, dear friends and family, are always welcome at Casa Buyske!  May God bless you all and continue to bless us with your friendship and love.

Zo don’t forget to do those taxes!!! J