Christmas Tree Day!

If you'll remember, I've got a thing for Christmas tree farms.  I guess it began the one Christmas I can recall where I convinced my parents that we should go to Cricket's tree farm down the road and cut our own tree.  Well, I'm pretty sure they paid someone to cut it...but it was a fresh cut beauty nonetheless.  It looked great in our living room, except for the fact that it was too tall and we couldn't stand it up straight.  We probably used a very scientific measuring system while meandering through the trees like, 'as tall as your brother with his arm in the air.'  My dad had to drag the tree back outside and saw a couple of feet off.  I can't get the image of him in our front yard, sap all over himself, cursing our stupid real tree out of my head.  It's just not Christmas if I can't wander through hundreds of trees and conjure up this favorite holiday memory of mine.  So, with much reluctance, hubby agreed to go to the farm I selected this year.  Although, he was quite confident we'd be making another trip to Home Depot.

They had a tree maze!

C loved it!  We ran around that maze for over half an hour.

C was Mario, I was Luigi because I rock that accent,

And Daddy was Koopa.  Scary, right?

We spent a good amount of time at the farm, despite the cold.  C declined to visit with Santa.  Seen one seen 'em all, I guess.  We could've paid $30 to cut down any of the trees in the maze.  But, they were a little too real.  Yep, I'm a tree snob.  I just want one that's done a little preparation for the role, that's all.  We got a beautiful 9 foot Frasier fir.  Same tree would've cost us a small fortune back in KS.  Not so here...locally grown.  Point for MD.  We had no fears about it fitting in our place, we've got obnoxiously tall ceilings in the living room.  We did worry about having enough lights and ornaments to cover the thing, but it looks beautiful!

Can you see the tiny headlight zooming around the bottom of the tree?  A gift from hubby's parents.  C was thrilled to "have a Christmas train just like Grandpa."

Now it feels like the holidays.

Just hangin' out with Dad!

Thanksgiving 2010

The kiddie table.  Although it was hardly needed.  C kept getting up and Kaylee would tattle on him, telling us he had gotten up again.  Then at one point Kaylee left the table and when C turned around his mouth fell open and he started pointing.  "Kaylee's gone!" he gasped.  She was actually right behind him.  It was pretty funny.

I don't know why C refused to eat...look at our yummy spread!

Busting out the craft projects to keep the little ones entertained and give the grown-ups a chance to have an actual conversation. ;)

Our attempt at a family Thanksgiving photo.  Doesn't C look terrified to have us as parents?

I don't blame him...this is the newest form of punishment hubby created for these two.  He joked that when they didn't play nicely together he would stick them up there.  And of course they loved it!  They laughed and hollered for help to get down.  Once they got back on the floor, they intentionally started picking at each other so they could get put back on the banister!  Crazy kids!

We were so glad to spend the holiday with some of our newest friends!  The kids got along well so we were able to spend most of the day together.  We usually make an exit when things start to go downhill.  And we never know how these two are going to behave.  They're like an old married couple...best friends one minute and yelling at each other the next! 

Homeschool Hoodlums

The last couple of weeks have been busy.  And we've been a little, um, delinquent with our studies around here.  We're catching up a bit and will hit it full swing again after the holiday weekend.  Here are a few pics of the lessons we've managed to squeeze in...

Color combinations

 Letter of the week

Letter sounds hopscotch

 And even when we don't manage to complete our formal lesson, we never miss P.E. ;)

You want me to stand on what?

 Alright, I'll give it a try.

 A little help please!

Yay!  I'm doing it!



Grandma Rose

 My Father's way may twist and turn,

my heart may throb and ache.

But in my soul I'm glad I know,

that He makes no mistake.

 My cherished plans may go astray,

my hopes may fade away,

but still I'll trust my Lord to lead,

for He does know the way.

 Though night be dark and it may seem

that day will never break;

I'll pin my faith, my all on Him,

for He makes no mistake.

 There is so much I cannot see,

My eyesight's far too dim

but come what may, I'll simply trust

and leave it all to Him.

 For by and by the fog will lift

and all things plain He'll make.

Through all the way, though dark to me,

He made not one mistake.

You will be deeply missed Grandma.

The things he says...

Me: C, what am I going to do when you don't fit in my lap anymore?
C:  I'll just sit on you and go squish.

Me:  C, do you want a waffle?
C:  Um, actually C is upstairs taking a nap right now.  I'm actually Batman, C's brother.
Hubby:  Well, who is Batman's Mommy and Daddy?
C:  (pointing at us)  Well, you're Owlman and you're Batgirl.

Me:  Ugh, now I remember why I hate Five Guys.
Hubby:  Why?
Me:  Just smell your shirt.
Hubby:  What?
Me:  It smells like greasy french fries.
Hubby:  No it doesn't.  You're crazy.
C: (whispered from the backseat) I know she's crazy.

"Would you like a nose in your eye?"  And no, he didn't give me a chance to say no!

"I used to be three...and I miss that day."

"Mom, when I'm grown-up, when I'm 19 years old...I will know not to pick my nose."

Random Happenings

Several weeks ago, my sweet nephew celebrated his first birthday with a little Barnyard Party!!

I'll have it be noted that someone told me my sheep looked like pigs.

I will also have it be noted that the one year old could have cared less.

He liked all the animals!

A little late on posting, but we did have our pumpkins carved well before Halloween.  We did it while Daddy was away since he has some phobia about scooping out the stringy goop inside. 

 C's green jack 'o lantern is now a tiny decomposing clump on our patio.  I keep forgetting to toss it.  And when I do remember, C's with me and I know how well that will go over.

 After what seemed like a zillion rain-outs, soccer came to a close.

 I don't know what he will miss more, playing soccer or stalking his friend Kaylee around the field.  As soon as we pull up he is out of the car and running, screaming "Kaylee!  I'm here!  Wait for me Kaylee!"  It continues throughout the practice as he makes sure he stands next to her at every opportunity. 

 They've got basketball for the littles starting up in January.  He already told me he wants to play.  Won't that be an adventure?

 Lastly, there's this...

 Our newest, and possibly grandest discovery yet.  Oh, sweet cupcakes.  You are every bit as tasty as you look.  Even C was trying to suck every last bit of deliciousness out of that wrapper.

Believe me, hubby and I were doing the same.  There just wasn't enough time to snap a photo of it.  They're that good.