Happy New Year!

From our crazy house to yours. Happy New Year! May 2011 be the happiest of years for you and yours.

Yes Bennett, they are crazy.

Christmas Vacation

We've been out of school for 2 hours and already decorated a gingerbread house. What are we going to do with the next 12 days?

Do you see what I see?

Window

A certain little boy in this house has become a fan of climbing on the couch. Now that it's in front of the window he loves being up there and looking out at the world.

Such eyes of wonderment. Such curiosity. Such innocence.

And then this crazy hooligan showed up and wanted his picture taken. They absolutely adore each other.

It's the most wonderful time....

Ho Ho Ho!

I mentioned in our Christmas letter that we keep this blog. I've done it every year so maybe it doesn't make a difference but I feel like I should maybe update it for those newcomers or those who just want to see what I do around here. Hi!! Welcome, I hope you stay for awhile. It's nothing spectacular but it helps me remember moments with my kids and helps keep family updated on our ongoings. And recently, we've had many.

Tis the season though, right? Just in the past week we've had the flu (all of us), a blizzard, insulation blown into the attic, a Christmas program and we've baked 4 dozens cookies for our teachers and friends. And I still have some shopping to do with the boys, all the wrapping, more baking and a Christmas dinner to plan. Where's my Coke?

The boys were thrilled to go outside after school the other day. Bennett wasn't really a fan of the snow pants and boots. So we didn't last long. In fact I can guarantee it took longer to get out the door then the amount of time we were outside.

A Christmas Program. There is nothing more entertaining then 40 three and four year olds belting out some Christmas songs. Declan was thrilled to have a green bell. He wasn't digging the red bell he had when they practiced.

He actually sang too! Unlike his brother who stood there in a stone cold silence at his first Christmas Program.

Guess who drew this?

Declan! Can you believe it? My little abstract artist actually drew something that actually resembles something. Any ideas what it is exactly?

This one is Carson's. Looks like the baby is laying in a manger (Hint).

You can add two rather large scratches on his nose to his nice scrape and bruise on his forehead. He looks fabulous and a little beat up!

Here's hoping your enjoying the Christmas season and during the rush of it all, you can take time to enjoy the reason for the season, your kids and your family!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Memories.

We've cut down our own tree the past 3 years. It's been cold every year. And this year was no different. So we bundle up...

I prefer each layer to be a different blue, it adds depth, and makes him look like Ralphie's brother. But he was warm and he could still walk so that was a plus.

We brought a sled this year to help tow the hooligans. Cold weather usually brings out the inability to walk.

Somewhere along the way it also became hard to sit up. That many layers and a big belly can make that a difficult task.

We searched and found a tree. It was as far out as the tree farm went. We wouldn't want to pick a close one because we prefer to make things difficult.

We also had a few moments to have a snowball fight.

We are a fan of child labor.

But whose that I see coming?

It's Santa! And he's come to carry our tree. That Santa, he's useful for so many things.

Declan didn't want to ride with Santa.

No crying. No whining. Smiles all around. And little snowman who now have a tree that is as fat as it is tall! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

In honor of the Feast of St. Nicholas the boys left their shoes out on the front step last night. I was informed by a certain 5 year old that they had to be outside and that they should be filled with gold.

No gold but St. Nick did fill them with candy, books and a car. Oh and he brought them inside so they'd be nice and warm in the morning.

Tis the Season

We spent part of Thanksgiving weekend getting into the Christmas spirit which included a trip to see Santa.

This one...

and this one were not afraid

But this one was not impressed.

He was impressed with his new mittens though.

And his cute new shark hat.

And the snow.

We went on a sleigh ride.

And huddled close to stay warm.
(Psst...see how close this picture is? If I had a new zoom lens ((like say one similar to this)) I could fix that and you'd actually see that Bennett is on Trevor's lap...I'm just sayin)

We also pretended to be Santa's helpers.

I'd say they are the cutest elfs I've seen.

Merry Christmas! We hope your enjoying the Christmas season.