Hand me Downs

We got a huge box in the mail today from one of my dearest friends Nicki. She sent lots of clothes her daughter has grown out of and Christmas presents. She has the best taste when it comes to clothes so I am so excited to get Audrey into the clothes- you will likely notice Audrey decked out in some super cute stuff ( I sent her Ryan's stuff- ie lot's of jeans and long sleeved shirts). As I was sorting Audrey found a bee costume in the box and became instantly obsessed. She had to put it on right away. I have a feeling everyday is going to be Halloween in our house for awhile! Thank you Nicki for all the great stuff!

Playing in the Leaves

Family Time

One of the best parts of the Holidays is my family coming together. My brother who lives in Chicago came for an extended weekend, the longest he has visited since moving away and he is coming back in less then a month for Christmas! 

Decorating for Christmas

Today was Christmas decorating day! I love how our house feels when it's all done up with the tree and lights so it is always exciting to pull out the boxes. Grandma and uncle David were here to help us start the process. 

I admit I have never decorated outside but since we finished all the inside decorating and it's still November I might venture out into the shopping madness to see if there is anything that looks good. I have pictures here of us decorating but I don't yet have any of the final product... maybe tomorrow. After a whole day of cooking/ eating yesterday and a whole day of cleaning/ decorating today I am wiped out. 

Welcome Christmas Season

Thanksgiving has passed and now we are onto Christmas. First stop: Picture with Santa. My kids hate meeting Santa, it has gotten to the point where it almost feels like a tradition to cry in the picture with Santa. It started when the creepy Santa grabbed Ryan's arm to try and get him to sit on his lap... Ryan panicked with set off Audrey. This was one of the only pictures where Audrey was even looking forward because she was so freaked out that she didn't want to turn her back on him. Ah the sound of children screaming, it's just like Jingle Bells.. or not.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday... it's like Christmas but without all the pressure of gifts. We had 16 people come to our house this year. Like always I was done with all the food an hour early.. but it worked out because it gave me more time to spend with our wonderful friends and family. I am so thankful for all the great people I have in my life. 

Chips

What happens when I leave the room for a second? Audrey finds a bag of chips that is as big as her and starts scarfing. Now she refuses to let me have the bag back.

Sugar Coating Fail

We went to the zoo today. When we first got there I took Ryan to the bathroom. He tends not to like public restrooms (but really who does?) I was trying to make it sound okay so when we walked in I said "it smells like a pool in here!" My oh so honest kid replied with "It smells like a DIRTY pool." Sugar Coating the public bathroom FAIL.

Autumn Leaves

This years autumn has been awesome. About a month ago it got really cold so the leaves started changing but then the weather got back up to 70 degrees so now we get to go out and play in the colorful leaves (that haven't all fallen off) in long sleeved t-shirts. It has extending the beautiful colors and given us a beautiful setting to take pictures. 

Twinkle Twinkle

Ryan: Twinkle Twinkle really star how I wonder what you are..
Me: It's Twinkle Twinkle LITTLE star
Ryan: That's not the way I sing it mom

I guess you have to let kids be who they are!

Daylight Savings Time.

There is no such thing as an extra hour for daylight savings time when you have children. If your child used to wake up at 5:30am guess what time they wake up now? Yup you guessed it 4:30am! When it gets to be an hour before the kids bedtimes guess who is so cranky and tired they can hardly function? Yup. I suppose we will get used to it but wow the adjustment is just no fun at all.