Smarty pants

It was getting close to bedtime and it had been a long day. Mattea was in the other room and she called "Mommy!".

I didn't answer.

"Mommy!" <2 second pause> "Mommy!"

"Don't you know ANY other words than Mommy?"

<10 second pause> "Trrrrraaaaaaaaaaaacccyyyyyy!"


What a smarty pants.

Santa's Elf & Reindeer

We went to visit one of Santa's head elves and reindeer at the library last night. It was very chilly, but that just enhanced the rosy color of the elf's cheeks and the reindeer didn't seem to mind at all! The kids learned that you should pet reindeer by standing behind their antlers. I never knew that... of course, I had never pet a reindeer before! It was a fun experience!

It CAN'T be December already...

So, Mom told me that I hadn't posted any pics or news during November. I thought she was crazy. Apparently, she was NOT! So, here's a recap of November:

* We had a fun family day in downtown Denver - lunch, bowling and A Christmas Carol movie.

* We counted down for Mattea's birthday. She couldn't WAIT to turn five!!!

* We played a family game of RISK and it was such a riot. The kids learned all about strategy. Amazingly enough, there were patient playing the game and we had a really fun time.

* Mattea & I attended a Fancy Nancy story/play time at Border's. We followed that up with some shopping. It was a very fun day!

* We cheered when we heard about our new baby niece/cousin, Kristina Ann Harron. We can't wait to meet her in person... she's gorgeous in the pictures we have seen!

* Mattea received an early birthday present via Skype from Grandma Judie & Grandpa Bob. Grandma had her convinced that she sent it through the computer. I'm sure it was nauseating to watch her open her gift on the web cam, but I think Grandma & Grandpa could FEEL her excitement as she tore open the box containing the beloved Baby Alive!

* We celebrated Mattea's birthday (FINALLY!). She had chocolate cake for breakfast (in bed!!!), was showered with gifts, flowers and a balloon from us. She received huge hugs and a loud "Happy Birthday" from her friends at preschool.

* Jeff had a day off work and he chose to spend it with Mattea. They did the usual... breakfast at Village Inn followed by shoe shopping at Target (she came home with 2 new pairs of shoes!).

* We attended Alex's 1st choir concert. He played the hand bells and did an amazing job. We are SO proud of him!

* We did some home improvements - rearranged bedroom furniture, rearranged our home office, painted the dining room & hung new curtains.

* Grandpa Pete, Grandma Carol and Aunt Julie came for a visit. They took Mattea birthday shopping, got pedicures and celebrated Thanksgiving with us. As the ladies were in the kitchen preparing for the Thanksgiving feast, Kevin walked in!!! This was a total surprise as he had told us he wouldn't be able to join us this year.

* We decked the halls outside and inside. The kids LOVE decorating for Christmas. They all have 3 foot trees in their bedrooms that they got to decorate themselves. The musical Christmas decorations can be heard throughout the house and there is a magical feeling in the air. I have begun using "Santa's watching" to curb any less-than-perfect behaviors! Love it!!!

It was a great month and I can't believe it's almost Christmas! I'm happy to say that I have a good chunk of shopping done. We're hoping to get our Christmas picture done this weekend so we can get our cards sent out in a timely manner. Only time will tell if that happens!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIM!!!

BOO!

We are all ready for Halloween! Hopefully, the sidewalks will be clear enough for us to trick-or-treat. We'll see.

Alex is a street rat (think Aladdin) this year. His costume inspiration was finding a HUGE orc sword and figuring out what he could be so I would buy him the sword. He is an adorable street rat!

Josh is a ninja just like he was last year. It's all about the weapons with these boys. He has double-swords on his back and some other weapon for the hand that isn't holding the candy bag! For school, he is dressed as a football player since they can't take weapons to school.

Mattea is Tinkerbell. I tried to talk her into being a ballerina since she has that beautiful, expensive costume from her recital, but she didn't go for that. Oh well, I'm sure she will wear the costume when she plays dress-up too.

The treats are strawberry ghosts and monster eyeball cookies. I am taking them in for Alex's class party.

Hope you all have a spooky Halloween!!!

Are we snowed in?

-- Mattea wasn't too jazzed about all the blowing snow in her face! --


-- A view of our backyard --


-- Alex, Mattea & the neighbor dogs playing in the snow! --


-- Cody amidst the boots, coats, snow pants, hats & gloves --


-- Indy in snow up to his giblets! --


-- Cody navigating his way through the winter wonderland! --



Oh yeah... we've got snow. School and preschool was cancelled today. The kids kept busy watching cartoons, playing board games, playing outside and warming up with hot chocolate. Who knows if we'll get out tomorrow for trick-or-treating!

Catching up

Cody and his birthday bone!
Flag football fan club - Mattea & Jordan
Josh on Crazy Hair Day
Alex & Daddy at Joshie's game

We celebrated Cody's 1st birthday on October 18th. Alex insisted we buy Cody a HUGE bone. It was hilarious watching him try to carry it around!

Josh finished up his flag football season this week. He had a great time playing and the coach had very nice things to say about Josh. We are very proud of him.

Jeff stumbled on a furniture closeout sale on Friday and we totally scored!!! We found a side table for the office which allowed us to rearrange the furniture to accommodate my new work printer/scanner/copier/fax machine, monitor & business phone. It was getting a bit crowded in there! My wonderful husband set up my new printer and got everything all organized for me. He was very patient and made sure it was just how I wanted it. He is too sweet and it looks absolutely fabulous!!! We also found some new bedroom furniture, so we spent all day Saturday moving the bedrooms around. Josh got Alex's computer desk and dresser, Alex got our old dresser and we got the new stuff!!! It's been 14 years of the same bedroom furniture for Jeff & I, so we are feeling pretty special!

We are counting down the days until Thanksgiving when we can see Pete, Carol & Julie... maybe Kevin, too! We are also waiting to hear baby news from Tim & Katie. I'm also planning Mattea's birthday party. I can't believe our baby will be 5 years old next month!!! She has been WAITING and WAITING to turn 5. She knows that we're going to Disney (next March) and that she starts kindergarten (next July) when she's 5, so she has really been looking forward to it.

Happy 14th Wedding Anniversary!!!!