Please, come play with me

Almost every morning, this is what Tucker does. He sits outside our windows watching us walking around the house. He watches Dan make coffee, me snuggle with the kids, and all of us eat breakfast. He just gives the most pathetic looks inside as if he is telepathically sending us messages to come play. He even brings sticks next to him for playing fetch. Although he is bad as all get out (3 UPS packages later, 2 pairs of shoes, and 1 yard full of holes.....) he can be very cute. Despite all his "puppy dog" eyes, we aren't going out to play with him. (Not until later at least).

BCS Christmas Concert

The kids had their first Christmas Concert for school this past Thursday. Unfortunately, Jeremiah was very sick with the flu. Mom stayed home with him....(Thank you a kazillion times, Mom). He was so disappointed...it was one of those times where my heart was breaking and I truly would have taken his flu in a heartbeat so that I didn't have to see my little guy so sad. Anyway, DaniRae did get to go and really had fun. She loves to sing.


Sorry about this picture, it didn't come out real great. We took a lot of video, too. Dani is in the front row toward the bottom of the picture.

Pizza Picnic

This pizza picnic has sort of become a tradition at our place. A tradition that I would highly recommend during this busy time and one I will not quickly give up. I will usually pick a fairly busy evening ( a day I work, or that we are having a cookie party) and Dan will bring home pizza. We throw a tablecloth on the floor and eat on paper plates. Usually we will have chips too, but nothing that really requires silverware. When we are done, we do our part to fill the landfill and throw it all away (except the tablecloth). Anyway, the kids really enjoy this a lot...they look forward to it and I honestly think that they would be disappointed if we did not do it during December. It is easy for me and Dan doesn't mind one bit. In fact, this week when we had our pizza picnic, I spent some extra time reading to the kids which is something I have really missed since they started school.

Time for potty Training????????

Okay, so the other day I was folding laundry on the couch. AnaGrace, my big helper, was right there beside me. She decided to help by trying on the clothes. The first one she got was a pair of her sister's undies. She was determined to put them on...this kept her busy for about 5 minutes. She was so proud of herself. So, I don't know if this is a sign to begin potty training....or a sign that it is a loooong way off. I thought this was very funny. After she was done with the undies, she proceeded to socks. These she kept one all day (over her original socks) until Dani came home and promptly took them off Ana and put them on her own feet. Thankfully, AnaGrace didn't seem to care, maybe she knew after all that they were Dani's

Christmas Tea Party

About a month ago, DaniRae sent Grandma and invtiation to a tea party that Dani was really excited about. She wanted to plan it and everything. I had to really tone it down for her. She was on my case all week to start baking. She wanted scones and raisin sandwiches. Ugh..WE finally settled on snowman cookies (and that is only because Grandma made them), and iced raisin biscuits. She helped me set a nice winter table and we had a Christmas tea next to the fireplace. Maybe there is hope for her to turn into a "lady" (or was that what my Mom was saying about me as she left). Oh, well....Meanwhile, Dan kept Jeremiah and AnaGrace upstairs. They set up the train and the cattle car with horses. AnaGrace really enjoyed seeing the horses....as you can see she also enjoys wearing her hat in the house!!!!

Winter Smores

Usually during the Christmas season, we like to roast marshmallows over my smores over my smores maker. It has sort of become a tradition. The kids really enjoy this activity. So here are some pics.

O Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches

This past Saturday, we went to get our tree for Christmas. (I don't know why this is undrlining everything that I write, sorry). Anyway, we had a great time. It was cold, but not quite as bad as last year. And besides, it ought to be illegal to get a Christmas tree when it is warm out. After much deliberating, we finally decided upon a tree...a 7' Frasier Fir. Dan had quite the time trying to cut it down. Miah, of course, was right there trying to help out.

There is something really sweet about this picture of DaniRae. She was underneath the tree watching to make sure the guy were cutting it down right.

Here is my strong husband dragging his tree out of the forest....er, well, tree field. Quite the adventure for all of us, but Dan did take the brunt of the work. He goes to such great lengths for his family to be happy...cutting down trees, decorating the outside of the house, carrying 4 plus boxes of snowmen and other decorations up from the basement. He is a wonderful husband.
AnaGrace is very enamored with the tree and loves to see it "on". She is quick to point out any "kissmass tees" that we see when we are out and about.