December

Well, I had big blogging plans for this month- as in making up for lost time and really trying to get back into regular posting to keep you avid readers abreast of all our holiday hoopla. What I didn't really factor in was how time consuming said holiday hoopla is. And while I love the holidays- the crafting, the gift planning, the decorating etc., I am just not that too good at documenting it. For example, this year we went to an absolutely adorable, family run Christmas tree farm and chopped down our own tree. There were so many picture worthy moments, it was kind of ridiculous. Good thing I handily left the camera at home, where it was nice and safe. We did take a few pictures on Jeff's camera phone, which is no iphone, if you know what I'm saying.

See?

Not so great. But there we are, anyway, with axe in hand (not that you can see it), ready to chop our tree down.

The tree is now cozily ensconced in our living room, fully decorated with our ornaments and popcorn/cranberry garlands, another festive occasion I neglected to capture on film.

Oh well, there is always next year, I guess.

But anyway, this month has been full of fun activities and we are having a lovely time of it so far. This past weekend we went to a family holiday party at the Mondavi winery, where the kids decorated cookies, watched a very entertaining puppet show, and sat (begrudgingly) with Santa. And I remembered the camera!!

Cookies and coloring.


The five of us- not the greatest picture, maybe, but it is rare that we all get in one photo together, so there it is!

Grannie came too!


There was also face painting. Is that just the cutest ever or what?



In case you weren't sure...



The big boys, waiting in line for candy canes... Oh, I mean waiting to meet Santa.

SO psyched for Santa!!!


Awkward photo with strange man dressed in red.

One more cute shot of Grannie and Atti just for good measure.

The view behind Jeff's winery. Pretty nice, huh?

Quote of the Day

This morning, while snuggling in bed, Patch asks me if I like "pretty things?" "Yes. I do- like you. You're pretty," I tell him. "I know, " he replies. "I'm pretty like flowers."

Indeed.

Tree Climbing

Yesterday Sam comes running into the house calling for me, saying "Mom! I have some good news. Patch can climb trees now!". Now, you mothers out there will probably be with me in doubting the intrinsic goodness to this statement, but there was no denying the excitement in my son's voice. So outside I go to find one very proud Patch, perched about three feet off the ground on a couple of low branches. They were both so pleased. And so was I.

He may not sleep that well,

but, dang, is he cute!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wishing you all a happy, relaxing, and yummy day!!

Funny Faces

So big!

I feel like I am going to blink my eyes, and he will be off to college. Or at least starting to walk!

Handsome Sam

This is Sam on a day when his class was doing a presentation for the rest of their school. He was instructed by his teacher to dress nicely. I think he did a pretty good job, except of course, for the socks with sandals fashion gaffe. Other than that, though, he looks pretty darn good!

Bathing beauties

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday was a fun filled day. We finished up some last minute decorating in the morning, went to a fun party in the afternoon, and rounded it out with three hours of trick or treating. Well, Atti and I didn't last that long, but the big boys really pounded the pavement this year. We already turned in the majority of our loot to the dentist- the cash for candy program is a hit with parents and kids alike! Grandma B is visiting from Iowa, which makes this year's celebrations (also Atti's first) extra special!

Forestman Sam with friend Theo (Harry Potter).


Indiana Patch with two friends at the party.

Atti in his hand me down Tigger costume.

Atti, exploring our cauldron full of eyeballs.

Our visiting witch.

How much candy did we get this year? I can tell you actually- Patch got 3 lbs. and Sam brought in an impressive 8 lbs.!!

Halloween fun

These photos are from a recent Birthday/Costume party we went to a few days ago.

Here is the group shot- Sam is the Forest Man, holding Atti, and Patchie is Indiana Jones on the other end.

And here are a couple of priceless shots of Atti, trying on some different costume ideas.

Firefighter Atti.

And Redneck Rocker Atti.

It's obvious which he will be for the big night. The boy was just made to rock the mullet!

Summer flashback

The fair. Not much to say about it...hot, fun, rides, hot, ice cream, hot, crowded. Turns out I'm not a huge fan of the fair, but the kids- they love those rides. And me, I love those kids, so I see many more hot, sticky, long summer days spent following them around at the fair.

More of that baby

So, like usual, I am here to plead my case of extreme busy-ness, which has been exacerbated by a baby that now crawls. Yes, crawls. Not too quickly yet, but he is really on the go now. He no longer rolls to get places, ending up somewhere quite differently then he had originally intended. (Such is the nature of rolling as a mode of transport. Not too accurate). Now he can spy something small and choke-able from across the room and head straight for it. And since the computer lives in the same room as all the legos, I no longer spend any time in here, it being chock full of small, colorful pieces of plastic that an 8 month old would just love to get into his mouth.

And, as usual, when I find myself with some quiet time to blog, like now, it is because it is late and the children are in bed, and I'm tired and also want to get into bed.

So, instead of filling you all in on our current news, or even another summer flashback installment, I will opt for the easy way out and just post some more dang cute photos of my baby. Because I know that's really what you come here to see anyway!

Technically these are a summer flashback, as they were taken in August, before the advent of the crawling...ah those were the good ol' days...