Christmas Card Mayhem

Honestly, I almost didn't send out photo cards this year.  But as cards from friends started to pour in, I realized that I loved the cards as a way to keep in touch and a way to show the passing of time.  Even though it meant I was waiting until the last minute again, I decided to go ahead and try to get it all together. :)

As the kids get bigger, it gets harder, not easier, to get a good picture.  Theresa's blog is hosting a crazy holiday picture linky party, so I'll now be showing photos that would have only seen the recycle bin otherwise.  I'm glad though, because they made me laugh as I considered them more than just the photos on the cutting room floor.

The photo card winner this year was very impromptu.  I still wasn't sure that I was even going to order cards at this point.  The kids were getting ready to go see Sammy for her family's Christmas party.  Of course, this prompted the kids to want to pull out the clothes Nana made them for holiday gatherings.  Mia was sitting in the sunshine on the dining room floor when Sunny came up and sat perfectly next to her.  I grabbed my camera and started snapping...

 And then I realized I should call Ben over.  By that time, Mia had decided it was too bright and the dog needed sunglasses.  (She was right about the brightness!)

And then the dog ran away.  It was REALLY bright.

I finally realized it would be better if I pulled the shade on then dining room window.  However, all three were pretty much done having their pictures taken.

I guess the lesson is that you should always have the camera near-by.  You never know when the opportunity you didn't know you were waiting for will present itself!

Wordless Wednesday: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Holiday Happenings

This week has been full of holiday cheer.  Not only did we go to decorate cookies with Mrs. Buist at the school, we also were VERY excited to go build a gingerbread house.  

We quickly realized just how seriously this event was taken in the candy isle at the local grocery.  Talk of trees, trunks, and roofing tiles made us a little wary of our building skills!  

We tried to get the kids to use patters and reason while decorating the house.  We failed.

Mia and Ben ate more candy that actually made it on the house.  Mia certainly was more into decorating, while Ben just enjoyed eating!  It was neat to see them interacting with their peers from school.  Ryan, just one table over, kept coming over for hugs, which in turn meant the twins had to run to his table too.  So cute!

While Ben wasn't really all that interested in decorating, he had opinions about how it should be done!

We'll see how this house survives at home!  The kids seem to think we're bringing home a candy lick!

Giving Thanks

Two sleepy babies are snuggled up in their beds, and their Momma isn't far behind them!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, happily serving our family in our home and welcoming Uncle Matt to stay for a few days.  Take a peek at some of the highlights:

Personally, I was never much of a Macy's Parade fan.  After the first couple of minutes, I always ambled away, bored and ready for more action.  Ben loved it this year, though maybe he was a bit lethargic from his cold.  

Of course, more than a little of our day was spent cooking.  I assure you that the PlayDoh was only for the kids. :) We did the turkey in the pizza oven for the first time, and it was wonderful!  While the cauliflower dish wasn't quite a hit, everything else was awesome.

Uncle Matt arrived with Christmas gifts, which we were allowed to open.  To anyone who knows Matt, this won't be a surprise.  The boy just can't wait to tell you what he got for you!  Ben and Mia were thrilled with Uncle Matt's impatience!  He did really well this year; Mia is sure that he knows everything about her.

 Nana made Mia the most adorable skirt will lots of layers of tulle for twirling.  Mia's more than happy to oblige Nana's requests, as you can plainly see.  Unfortunately, she's also sure this shirt matches exactly.

 And, lastly, here's our newest addition, Wooly.  Our Elf on the Shelf is an exciting development around here.  The kids can't wait to find him every morning!

Autumn Fun 2011

I have to say now that all the cliches are true. Time DOES fly. They DO grow up in a flash. I can't believe how quickly we've gone from babies to children. They're not even toddlers anymore! It seems like just yesterday we were taking our first trip down to the orchard to buy pumpkins! 

This year we brought Sunny along with us to the pumpkin patch.  We actually made two trips out there this year; once for apples and once for pumpkins.  The kids love the slide and the animals (goats and chickens and rabbits, oh my!).  We love picking apples right off the tree!  We've certainly been blessed with some beautiful weekends this fall.

Our Halloween weekend was packed with things to do too.  Mia as Rapunzel, in the dress my mother made, was adorable.  She loved swirling her satin dress around and pretending to "throw down" her hair.  Of course I forgot their costumes for their actual parties and had to have Gary run them in.  She didn't have her hair that day, though she wore it for "trunk-or-treating" and the Halloween party at Aunt Jenny and Uncle Doug's house.

 

Our "finished" trunk.



Gary with Jango Fett.