Be Merry!

The cookies & milk and celery & carrots are out, the stockings are waiting to be filled, two very excited little boys are sleeping soundly, the jingle bells are set up on Cal's door to make sure we don't have a middle of the night looky-loo, and this mama is ready to call it a night.

Merry Christmas to all (from our family to yours), and to all a good night!

Stop the clock.

I can't get over how big my boys are getting. It's ridiculous. I want to shed a little tear every time I shop for Cal cause he's officially out of the 'toddler department.'  No more 5T for this guy... Which is a bit of a bummer for a 3 year old cause that means no more cutesie 'my mom's a rock star' shirts.  And Bennett, he's growing like a weed, talking up a storm and is getting insanely independent.  He hits the big 1.5 in a week. How did that happen already?!

pics by MKC Photography

'Tis the season...

for holiday get-togethers, checking out all the Christmas lights, seeing Santa & just feeling jolly.

setting off on the Tour de Lights, complete with a map, popcorn & lots of Christmas music (and an excavator)

 Ian's excited!

 And getting ready to see Santa.  The visit went better than we expected. Cal was beyond excited to see Mr. C. Bennett made it through one pic with Santa and decided he didn't want anymore to do with him, but we had no tears. Cal told Santa the only thing he wanted was a cotton picker (Santa's response, "ah what?") and being the good brother that he is, he spoke on behalf of his little bro and told Santa Bennett really wants a 'choo choo' & a tractor.

If only I could upload some of my other pics, but blogger is deciding they should all show up sideways. Only seems to happen with pics taken on my SLR. Anyone else have this problem?

Some recent happenings.

making gingerbread houses

playdates with good friends

doing some art

and a visit from Stu-doggg

Taking it all in.

We've been so pleased with Cal's preschool. He begs to go every morning, loves his little friends and adores his teacher. And it's a catholic school so he's learning all about the meaning of Christmas and lots about The Big Man above.  He's actually fascinated with God & Jesus. In fast, when he woke up from his nap the other day, he came out of his room like this...

and told me he was God. Then he grabbed his baby doll who was "Baby Jesus" and said he needed to lay him in the hay.

Not sure how PC it is to 'play God' but it makes me happy.

Oh Christmas Tree.

On our way home from Ian's folks on Sunday we stopped by a tree farm just outside of town to pick out our beauty. And that's just what we got... an 8 ft Colorado Blue Spruce.

Bennett was less than trilled to be tree hunting again (that's 'the one' behind us)

Every year the boys get ornaments that kinda represent the year. Last year Cal picked out  a skateboard and Bennett a 'baby's first Christmas'.  This year, the kids got their ornaments as gifts the night night we decorated the tree.

Bennett got a "choo choo"

and Cal, a hockey player

I forgot about the joys of a 1 year old and a Christmas tree. On day 1 of the tree being set up we had 2 ornament causalities

On the road again...

We spent last weekend in The Woolley and enjoyed a long weekend with Ian's folks.  On the agenda, get Grammie & Pa a Christmas tree.

on a mission

look who found 'the one'..... Bennett!

these two really were on a mission

Also, on the agenda... lots of football. Re-living dad's glory Cubs football days.

Then I was off to Seattle on Saturday night, for a night with the girls.  We're going on 8 years strong of our annual KD ornament exhange.  Such a fun night with 16 (I think) of my nearest & dearest girlfriends.

And while momma while out & about, #1 dad sent me this pic of my little sleeping beauty

Love bugs.

Giving Thanks.

I love Thanksgiving... family time, great food, eating way too much, making Black Friday shopping lists & a day to remind us all to be thankful. Typically we travel over the holiday however we were home this year and hosted Thanksgiving for the very first time (in 8 years) at our house. And for the last 8 years, Ian has been dying to cook a turkey so this was the year. It was an intimate little gathering and was a great day.

Ian w/ the guest of honor