O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How true you stand unchanging!

Out searching for a tree with the Arnold Family... last year we drive up to the top of Skyline and got stuck in the snow! It was dry and warm today...Brian and the boys looking for the perfect tree... we wandered for quite some time...and to the furthest corner of the lot.

Every year we try and get a family photo in front of our tree. This is the best we could do... usually someone has their eyes closed, is crying, or running the other way... you get the picture.

The kids were pretty intrigued by the chopping down of the chosen tree.

Ben kissing this tree... and hugging the next one. I guess we can call him a tree hugger.
Cool trees on the way out.
Sam was sooooo excited to decorate the tree. I was at Kristi's annual Christmas tea all afternoon and evening and he waited oh so patiently for my return.
Tada! Our tallest tree ever! You can't see the star in this picture but it is there somewhere!
I have specific instructions from Sam... "Mommy...don't turn the lights on while I am sleeping!" He is the operator of the Christmas lights... I better not tell him I put the last few ornaments on and fixed the ones Ben ripped off and drug all over the house!

A special shout out to my sister who came over today for a playdate...and helped me decorate for Christmas, clean out my toy closet and office closet. It looks amazing and so organized! Thanks sis.

Cousins

Ellen and I took Sam and Lizzie to see The Singing Christmas Tree yesterday afternoon. They were very excited to go downtown and see a show. They were especially excited that Colin was in the show and played Frosty the Snowman in one of the scenes!

Sam did really well for only being 4 and the performance being 2 1/2 hours long. There was an intermission so they got to stretch their legs... but he was quite ansty after the first few songs. Lots of wiggling, looking under his seat, attempting to stand on his head in his chair and asking me every 5 minutes "Where is Uncle Colin? Where did Frosty go? Is Uncle Colin up there? Where?" Snacks and playing with the program kept him entertained for a few extra minutes.

Not to into posing for the camera...more into playing with the ornaments on the trees.

Even more exciting was that they got to have their first real sleepover last night. They stayed over at Papa and Mimi's house.......had pizza, played, slept in sleeping bags, and thought they were pretty C-O-O-L!

Give Thanks

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! We woke up this morning to the most gorgeous sky... it has turned dark and rainy but was a great way to start the day. I am so grateful for my wonderful friends and family, loving husband and two happy and healthy boys.

May you have

Walls for the wind

And a roof for the rain

And drinks bedside the fire

Laughter to cheer you

And those you love near you

And all that your heart may desire

CELTIC BLESSING

Tis the Season

The boys are so excited about their new Christmas jammies! Sam wants to wear them every night... and to school.

We are getting our tree this weekend... Sam can't wait. He remembers having a tree in the "playroom" last year (our living room). We went to Michael's today and they had so many great Christmas items for decorating, crafts etc. Sam really wants to make a gingerbread house this year. I told him after Thanksgiving we would start doing all of the fun Christmas things. So today we bought stuff to make Thanksgiving cards. He loved it - glue, glitter, paper, pipe cleaners. They turned out really cute and really messy!

White Dog

Reilly getting attention from Ben...

Little Cousins

Some of Sam and Ben's little cousins came over tonight. They are growing up too fast! Sam was bummed Grace and Audrey couldn't make it...

Caden...6 1/2 months

Maddox...5 months

Making Progress

So we are slowly making progress in updating our powder bathroom... We are hoping to have the tile put in Monday, grout Tuesday and new fixtures in before Thanksgiving! Brian had to work this morning and the boys actually let me paint. It is very OLIVE. Martini anyone?

Happy Friday

We have had a busy week and our weekend is looking just as busy. Sam had a good week at preschool this week... they are learning about Thanksgiving and got to participate in a special tea with the St. Matthew Friendly Club (seniors group). The kids made placemats, learned special songs and decorated cookies to share.

Wednesday I took Sam to the dentist. To my surprise he did awesome. Ben was quite busy running around the office, climbing on chairs, talking to the staff etc. Sam had his teeth cleaned and was thrilled with his prizes - a new toothbrush, beaded necklace and spiderman sticker. These items have become some of his special "treasures"... he has been sleeping with them along with his blanket, Woody, Woody's hat, and a flashlight and two CDs. We go through the routine at bedtime and naptime rounding up all of his "stuff" as he calls it.

Our bathroom is gutted and I started painting tonight. It took forever for me to finally decide on the color. The kids and I went to pick it up this afternoon (I hope we are allowed back after they both ran wild through the store chasing each other). The ceiling is done as well as the edges and corners...so tomorrow I just have to roll the walls and we are done. Tiling will be done Monday and then just need to put in the sink and the "new potty" as the boys are calling it.

Tomorrow night Brian's two sisters and brother and their families are all coming over for dinner. It will be fun to catch up and see all of the kiddos and how much they have grown.

Below - photos of my little picassos. Sam is always asking to paint and do art. I wish I was creative and crafty! I am going to try and do better with having art supplies and projects for them to work on.

More updates and photos tomorrow. Off to bed!

Row Your Boat...

My kids can spend an hour in the bath and I still have to drag them out!
I sang this to Ben the other day in the car... he remembered. I love the Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary...

Fun with Papa and Paint

My parents stopped by for a few minutes tonight. The boys went crazy! Sam asked me every 5 minutes for an hour if Papa and Mimi were here yet... Where are they? Are they here? When are they going to be here? Let's go check out the window and see if they are here... they aren't here?

When they did show up there was a lot of squealing, running, jumping, giggling, dancing to loud music and being just plain silly. Both boys kept yelling "Watch me Papa! Watch this - look at me!" You would think they are starved for attention around here.

We are finally starting work on our 1/2 bath tomorrow. My friend Nicole's husband is coming over to tear out what is currently in there. I am thrilled to get rid of the 80s look! I will not miss the tan toilet with white sink and crazy light fixture. You can see all of my paint swatches in the mirror. I think we have finally narrowed it down to two... cayenne or green tea.Our whole house is very neutral so I am ready for a little color. That ugly gold fireplace screen will be gone very soon too! (see above)

Should Have bought 2 Woodys

These were all taken a few minutes before naptime... as you can see they start out very happy...then the tiredness and emotions kick in.

Reading away...

Sam has been eating and sleeping like crazy...and GROWING. He has gotten so tall!

Do we look alike?

OK so he looks so much like Brian here. I usually don't see it but this is Brian at age 4!

They both wanted to sleep with Woody and Sam took him from Ben. Here is Ben in distress with Woody's hat. First he threw himself onto the floor in a ball - just beside himself!

Sam was nice enough to let Ben have Woody (very reluctantly and with a little foot stomping)... crisis averted...and both kids in bed.

Party Time

Ian turns 2 tomorrow - I can't believe it! We went to Ellen and Colin's tonight to celebrate and everyone had a great time. Sam, Lizzie and Ben had a blast in a bouncy house Ellen borrowed from a friend... Ian wasn't so sure about it.

Weeee.....

They even had Brian in there.... Not the best thing for a guy with a relatively new ACL!

Almost dark but still playin'...

Ian got all kinds of fun toys...

This garbage truck was a hit with everyone.... Sam tried to wait patiently for a turn. Hard to do when you are 4.

Fun with Papa...

Ellen made a super cute school bus cake. I think we sang Happy Birthday about 10 times. The tradition is we sing to the birthday boy/girl... then a group song for the other cousins...and they all blow out candles...and tonight Ian requested several encores.

Ben tried his first cupcake tonight. He has never had an interest in cake or cupcakes. He now wants cupcakes for his birthday too.

Thank you Arnold family for the delicious pasta dinner and fun party. We had a great time celebrating! Happy Birthday Ian to such a special nephew and cousin.

Yellow Dog Update

Our vet called yesterday with the results of Mac's labs. The tumor they took from his elbow was malignant... a soft tissue sarcoma. This type of cancer generally doesn't spread but is locally aggressive. There is a chance it will return in the same area...time will tell. We will see him Thursday to have his stitches removed and will get further info. In the meantime Mac is doing well and in good spirits. Thanks to all of you who have emailed and called to see how he is doing!