We need a little Christmas now.

Haul out the holly, I may be rushing things but, deck the halls again now. For we need a little Christmas. Right this very minute.

Yes, we are THOSE neighbors with the Christmas tree lights already shining through the window! We are going on a Thanksgiving cruise in a couple of days and decided it would be nice to return home to a decorated, Chrismasfied house.



We let Allie skip her nap to help us decorate the tree. I love her technique...our tree is very ornament heavy on the bottom this year.

So, I quickly learned Gabe LOVES candy canes. There is only one remaining on the tree.



I had the kid's hand imprints made last Christmas. They have become my favorite!





"Hello Grammy, it's Gabers. Put away anything you somewhat care about because I'll be there in two days".

Rub a dub dub

When did THIS happen!???!!!! Gabe is getting SO BIG. Seeing pictures of him makes me realize how my little baby is growing into a little boy. And all boy he is. Tonight we were unwinding watching "UP" (cute movie!), when he climbed on Stephen and headbutted him....which lead to him (Gabe) crying. He throws anything he can get his hands on. And tonight in the tub he was pinching his sister. They had a sweet moment too. Stephen and I were in the bedroom while the kids were bathing when we heard lots of belly laughing, the kind that brings a smile to your face. Allie and Gabe were splashing water out on Izzy while she lapped it up off the floor. They can be so sweet.

Dot

We had another great visit to AL to spend time with my family. We kept Grandma Dot in the dark and she had no idea we were coming until a little 3 year old knocked on her door and yelled, "Boo". Her jaw dropped to the ground and I think I might have seen a little tear. She LOVES her great grandkids.

And we love her too....she will never understand just how much.



So much that she and Allie are now tattoo sisters...Grandma Dot is such a good sport!


And she and Gabe had a moment coloring....but you can't see the coloring book sitting on the table. (And nevermind Gabe's chocolatey face....he had been licking the brownie batter spoon).



Until next time Grandma Dot...We love you more than you will ever know!

Afternoon at the park

It was a wierd day today. Gabe went down for his nap at 10:30....and I mean, there was no waking the kid up! He was out. So he was rested and ready to play once we picked Allie up from school at 1:00 (which is normally when we come home and both kids nap). We were driving home blaring the Lion King (thanks again mom and dad, we are now on song #14...we know EVERY SINGLE WORD to those songs...some of which are in Swahili or whatever language that is). The weather was perfect....and I guess I got caught up in the moment and instead of driving home, I made a turn towards Cleveland Park.




The kids had a blast running around playing. I had a blast trying to keep up with the both of them! After an ample amount of playtime I informed the kids it was time for our impromptu photoshoot. Bless Allie's little cooperative heart....she did great and faked smiled everytime I asked. Now, if only I knew how to operate my camera...




This one was too busy trying to play in the trash cans and eating leaves to pay me any attention.

I need more time.

Look how she has the under the belly hold down.

Allie came up to me the other day, put her little arms around my neck and said, "Let's get married".
Caught me a little offguard, but I said, "Okay, what do we do"?
Allie - "kiss".
So, I gave her a little peck on her lips.
Allie - "NOOOO, a slooooow kiss".

I have not mentally prepared myself for this. I need more time...she isn't even 4.

Trespassing

I have had my eye on this field, with bales of hay, thinking it might make for some cute fall pictures. I decided to take the risk today and trespass.



I bet passerbyers were questioning my sanity. I pulled out my best dance moves to get them to smile! Okay, so they were laughing at me....I won too, I got smiles.



It was my most favorite time of day....and the weather was absolutely perfect. Now, I remember why I love fall...now if only we can dodge the next round of viruses!



I have loved having my healthy kids back! Gabe has been an absolute delight to be around the past couple of days. He is such an easy going little guy.



I wish I would have spent more time today at the hay bales...I think I'll go back and try for round 2. Maybe next time, I'll ask permission.

Allie's soccer pics

Team Nugget.



It looks like this will be Allie's first and last year to play soccer. I thought she might need a few warm up games before getting comfortable on the soccer field. But, she has been the team walker in every game. She just walks around and when the balls gets close to her, she puts up her arms shielding her body from any possible contact with anyone. Only one game left until the end of the season.

Getting better

This was the pitiful and sickly Gabe that Stephen and I had been dealing with this weekend...




Then this is Gabe today! I am happy to report both kids are well and over their funk. Gabe is still fighting a cold, but has not had a fever in 2 days. Allie has been fever free for 1 day, so I sent her back to school this morning.

It feels good to be back to our routine again.

Here we go again

My plan was to have some cute Halloween pictures to post of the kids trick or treating. My plan crumbled to pieces Thursday morning when Gabe woke up with a fever. If there is a virus going around, we'll get it!

For the past 3 days Gabe has spent the majority of the day laying on my shoulder. He has just been pitiful...constant crying, NO NAPS FOR 3 DAYS, ear infection, fever, crazy runny nose, etc.

Then Allie woke up Saturday morning with a fever. She has tolerated the virus much better than Gabe...and is doing okay, but still has a fever. Gabe has finally turned the corner today, no fever, no laying on mommy/daddy's shoulder, and he took a 4 hour nap!

We hope to be out and about again VERY soon!