Christmas time

We've had our tree up for a week and all the ornaments that were on the bottom half are now sitting on the mantel waiting to be fixed. It's a sad looking tree, but I sure LOVE the smell. Rachel wakes up every morning and goes to turn the lights on.
On Friday we didn't have much to do so we went to the mall. Rachel was so excited to see Santa. When she got on his lap and he asked her what she wants for Christmas, she told him "a bell" (like the Polar Express I guess). She has asked me about a million questions about Santa. One of my favorites, "Mom, does Santa have a family?"Tommy's not too sure about him...he made sure to keep his distance.
Grandma sent us a wonderful Christmas package with books, pjs and these winter coats. Just in time too!! It is freezing here right now.
Yesterday we went to a free Christmas event and got hot chocolate, cider, smoothies, popcorn, photobooth pictures, ornament crafts and another chance to see Santa. Poor Tommy is so scared, it's so cute.
We went to see "Gingerbread Lane" at a hotel across the street from the shopping center. There were some really neat houses. I had to post a few.
This one was my favorite :)

Getting along

There are times when I can't leave these two alone in the same room together. A couple days ago they played "doll house" quietly in Rachel's room for quite a long time. It was bliss! Tonight they were really making each other laugh. I just love watching them interact and get along.

Eating their peas

Our week with Grandpa

Enjoying the beautiful weather
I love how my dad's camera captures the leaves in the air
Starting to feel a little sick
A Tommy face
We went down south to spend a day in CharlestonFort Sumter
Of all the times we've gone, we missed the famous "Rainbow Row" every time. I'm not sure how.
Since when did he turn 13?
It's always great to have my dad around, we're able to get a lot of projects done. And yes that is Rachel with a paint brush. I may be a little too trusting of my 4 year old, but if they ask to help, I try not to refuse. Even if it means puddles on the kitchen floor, streaks on the windows and mirrors, or a little paint on the carpet.We had a very low key Thanksgiving this year. We were going to get together with some friends but with how sick we all were we stayed home. We gave my friend Amber the turkey and she came back with an entire spread to feed us for days. She went above and beyond her visiting teaching duties. We were all extremely touched by her generosity.

My dad had planned to fly out that morning but changed his flight to stay the day with us. I'm so glad he did. This is the boys enjoying some football.Just a cute oneAll growing up we had a tradition at Grandma's house, after our Thanksgiving meal and some games we would march around the house following my Grandpa to find the bag of Christmas ornaments. We each received our own Hallmark ornament. My Grandma continues the tradition and my mom adds to it. The kids loved opening theirs
What we're thankful for this year:
Rachel- food, Father in Heaven, flowers, princesses, family, house, grandparents, pie, her brother, Thanksgiving day, candy, Mommy
Jake- that he has a job, a healthy family (I had to laugh, but it's true that overall we are), where we live, and milkshakes (according to Rachel)
Me- Good friends and visiting teachers, stinking cute kids, a great husband, family far and wide, the gospel
Tommy- the zucchini bread Amber made, cookies, balls and vroom vrooms

Go Duke!

Last weekend our family took a little road trip to Durham for a Duke basketball game. Jake camped out overnight for these tickets and won the "lottery" for season tickets. Him and my dad are on their way back from an afternoon game today. We had fun sprinting to the stadium to get there by tip off so they wouldn't give our seats away, and making it at 6:59. The stadium is small, which made it feel like a high school game, and it has an old historic look. It was fun to hear the different cheers from the Duke fans. Sometimes I caught myself saying, "Gooooo Cougars!" Whoops...can't help it.We took the kids to a really fun park in Raleigh that had a train and merry-go-round.


The other night Jake turned on the TV and Tommy was sitting there on the floor. When he saw that it was basketball he said, "(gasp)...wow!!!" This kid LOVES basketball. On walks he spots every basketball hoop in the neighborhood and goes nuts.
Proof


Here's a snapshot of the boy today...first time using the "big" swing. I was very cautious at first and held on to one of his hands. I let go for a second to snap a picture and he would not let me near him after that. He wanted to do it all by himself!

Beauty Sleep

I forgot what this was like. It's been months, maybe even a year!! Poor girl though, they were all pretty forced.
This was one was Daylight Savings inducedCar induced (on our road trip to Durham)Sick induced
She even went to bed tonight at 6:00. The inevitable fever, runny nose, coughing, yuckiness that accompanies every fall season is upon us.

Community Helpers

Yesterday, we had preschool at our house. We did a little bit of imaginative play, which was a lot of fun and the kids loved it.Our nurse made sure everyone was healthy
Our Firefighter put out the flames on the porch
Our Dentist showed us how to open wide
The Mailman found everyone who was hiding and delivered her letters
Our Police Officer handed out speeding tickets and made everyone slow down
and the Grease Monkey...was actually not quite as helpful. We had some Vaseline on the top shelf of Tommy's closet. I must have bumped it down as I was getting things together for Preschool. During playtime I discover it half empty, with a little bit on the carpet. Then I found him. Gobs of it in his hair, some inside his ear and all over his body. After 3 baths and corn starch his hair is still not the same. At least he doesn't have to worry about dry skin for the rest of his life!

Halloween pictures

I lost my cord that transfers pictures to my computer. I bought a USB thing and it turns out it is not compatible with my memory stick. I went to CVS and got these photos put on cd, but my video clips are still stuck on my camera. Any ideas?

Anyway, October/Halloween seeemed to happen in a blink of the eye. Last Wednesday we went to a local farm/pumpkin patch. I'm not sure if it was because it was so hot, or if those wagons were just too darn frustrating for him but Mr. Grumps went crazy ornery. It was driving me crazy!It didn't affect Rachel though, she was having a blast
I can't believe I even got this shot. Rare for them to be so nice to each other, especially for the mood he was in.
As soon as we switched activities and went to pet the animals he was better and in the corn maze he was finally happy.
On Thursday we had our Preschool Halloween party/parade (plus older siblings and neighbors)
Ward Trunk-or-Treat. Fun fun night- chili cookoff (I won the award for the spiciest :), games and lots of candy.

I just love this picture
Halloween shirts.
We were lucky to have Grandma in town to enjoy all the Halloween festivities with us while Jake was in Durham.
He made it back just in time for the big day.
A beautiful day to carve pumpkins outside.
We went to a friends neighborhood to do a parade and a little trick-or-treating. We missed the parade but I was still so glad we went. These three girls were so giddy and I had the best time watching them run, giggle, and squeal.
The Wizard of Oz crew. I was supposed to come up with a costume for Jake but I completely forgot. About 10 minutes before we were suppose to leave for the neighborhood parade I mentioned how I felt bad because Rachel was expecting him to be the Tin Man. As we were leaving, Jake had found a cardboard box and funnel and then we stopped by Lowes for some spray paint, and there you have it...a father's love for his daughter.
This picture is blurry because of the thick fog we had Halloween night. It was raining hard as soon as it got dark, and I thought trick-or-treating was at a loss this year. Luckily it stopped and we enjoyed a fun "spooky" night. Rachel's basket was full to the top and we have enough candy to last us till next Halloween.