Snow Babies

Yesterday was our first snow of the season and boy did it do it right. about 6.9 inches of white goodness fell overnight greeting us this morning clean and fresh. And we couldn't wait to get into it and mess it up! We bundled up and hit the 'front yard' to make some snow angels and tromp around in our new snow-pants. Nick liked it OK for about 3 min. and Claire loved it. I can't get over how much more she is able to enjoy things as she gets older. She really is our little angel.

Psalms 91:7

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

On The Move And Chatting all the Way

9 Days!? Can it Be True

Today we went to play group and we met Santa! We didn't sit on his lap, we sat with the less scary elf-lady. But we got a teddy bear for effort and even smiled a little (not that I caught that on camera....

We also made it on the news, well they were filming when we were there, but I don't know if we will be on the news or not, watch for us at 5 and 11! apparently they are low on news since our little playgroup holiday party made the cut... Overall our first Santa experience ended with no tears and two new teddy bears...
Can there really only be 9 days left till Christmas?!

Hang-Over-Day-Off

Yesterday on 'hang-over-day-off' we went to get a tree. It was bitter cold as Claire's face will tell you, but we picked what we believe to be the best tree on the lot. ('Big as Daddy and fat as Mommy' just like Claire wanted)

We got it home, stood it up and opened our much awaited train! Claire and daddy tried to figure it out, and when they did we were all smiles :) Thank you GB and Pappi!

Then of course after about an hour of messing around with the train (I forgot how much time you spend lining up little wheels as opposed to actually running the thing) We had to decorate it, the tree of course.

And take our picture in front of it.

It was a good day.

Holiday Cheer

This past weekend, the kids and I hit the road. We went to Aunt Ami's!
While there we did lots of fun stuff, like going to see a three story house shaped like a shoe and baking cookies... none of which I have pictures of. Those are on Ami's camera.
I do have pictures of our Sunday. We went to see Aunt Laurie! We helped her put up her Christmas tree.

She was THRILLED to have us...

once we figured out that she is always so jazzed we were no longer scared by her overt enthusiasm

We helped with everything, the nativity

the ornaments (ok, we let Annie put on her own)

We even made some handmade crafts to decorate our own homes with.

It was a great day of family and fun, exactly what we needed to get us in the holiday spirit.

Thanksgiving

thankful for sisters, all sorts
thankful for cookies
thankful for aunts and uncles
thankful for christmas trees
thankful for no traffic in NYC
thankful for family :)

Just an Update

We are doing well here in cold, rainy New York. Planing a trip to warmer climates? next weekend at Ami's spa and resort. (we expect warm moist towelettes after dinner) Getting in the Christmas spirit with our advent wreath, ok so we haven't actually dug it out yet, maybe tomorrow after we can get to the back of the closet. But we did advent today at lunch and it just reminded me of family, singing carols after dinner and baking cookies. It made me kind of homesick. I wonder if my mom felt that way about any of her christmas traditions, do they still make her miss her mom? The tree will come soon enough and then the surprise christmas train from GB and Pappy! Lights already sit on my floor waiting to find a place in the windows, maybe they will race... a nod to my mom. and 'Santa Baby' is in my kitchen ready to sing and dance whenever the mood strikes.
Until Christmas, we will continue to attend play group on Tues. and reading hour at the library Wed. and Thur. Nick will continue to become more mobile as the days progress, first rolling and now scooting on his face, just like his sister. :) Jim will work and work, awaiting the Christmas break when he gets to see his in-laws and perhaps sleep in past 8am. I will work feverishly to get the house in order and eagarly await the Christmas day when I get to hug my mom and dad and tell them thank you for the best christmas present ever.
What are your plans for the month?

The Last for Now

92. hole-y stromboli
93. hugs
94. my parents who are still together setting the ultimate example of love unconditional
95. my daddy
96. the ability to enjoy my kids every moment of every day
97. getting away from the kids I enjoy
98. my bathroom
99. a place all my own
100. family who are thankful for me always just the way I am thankful for them

Grazi

82. Washable carseats
83. car dealerships in Harlem
84. library books
85. water bottles
86. moms and dads (what a great idea that was God!)
87. plastic food
88. real desserts
89. family of all kinds
90. Cousin Sarah
91. Better things to do than my 'to do' list

Say That Again

Nick is thankful for dancing feet

If he could just figure out whose feet they are :)

I've Got Plenty to be Thankful For

72. tiny little braids
73. bright blue eyes in the morning
74. lips to kiss with
75. Bing Crosby
76. hide and seek
77. phone calls to say I love you
78. country music
79. my daddy who could come home for lunch
80. my mommy who taught me that cooking is not the most important thing in the day; laughing is
81. legs to dance with

A Little Happy

All of Claire's toys are suddenly, spontaneously and rather surprisingly in need of quesadillas.

Just A Little Thanks

68. looking better than at least 60% of the other moms at play group
69. husbands who love me
70. showers
71. pigtails

Over the Hump

53. sisters who visit
54. sisters who don't visit
55. terminal 8!
56. getting lost the same place twice so you know how to get un-lost the second time
57. vodka sauce
58. Mark
59. Grandpa Bill
60. zoo memberships
61. moms at the park to talk to
62. kids to have adventures with
63. parents who adventured with me (do you have a plan?)
64. dry sheets
65. chubby cheeks
66. fuzzy boots
67. pants that fit two weeks before they have to :)

Under the Hood

Upon request I have review ALL of the few pictures from this past weekend. I have posted every picture in which Ami appears. If you could tell me which ones exactly are the 'nice ones' you are referring to... I am at a loss. Apparently your face does silly thing when it sees a camera without you even knowing. I would look into that if I were you, could be disastrous come wedding day.

OK there was this ONE where your teeth came together and your eyes weren't bugged out of your head. Unfortunately it seems to be a family trait as Claire can't seem to get it together at the same time as you.

(I think she is saying BOOGER!!)

Aunt ummm... comes to visit

Ami came this weekend with Mark to visit. Plans shuffled but we had a good time, well I did. All others may speak for themselves. We went to the aquarium and saw jellyfish and seals and a walrus that ami was not very fond of.

We also went out to eat, just the adults :) such a treat, twice in one week. I am spoiled.
It was good...It was great... It was fabulous to see ami and get to know Mark. I like him from what I have seen so far. I'm not sure if he's cleared for permanence yet but he's in the running. Claire likes him. The entire time we were at the aquarium she kept saying "come on Mark". She didn't want him to miss a thing. :) Well now I must go clean up from my amazing weekend. Which also ended with the fridge from my dining room being evicted! :D
Good times.

You Don't Get What You Give

I received a call from someone the other day, they were freaking out about Christmas. That it snuck up on them this year and that they were not financially ready for the burden of gift giving this year. As I sat down to make sure we were not headed for the same freak out I realized that we were and our Christmas was also in jeopardy. Not financially, although our Christmas tree will not be knocked over by the piles of gifts, we will make it work. I am not worried so much about that (ok that's a lie, but I'm telling myself that for now). I am worried that with all the focus and stress over gift giving this year we will forget what this holiday is all about. It's not about giving it's about getting and not even about getting material things it's about getting salvation, love and time together as family. I know it's early for Christmas posts but I feel like now is the time I need to be reminded of the basics. In this case giving was not better than getting. So none of you will be getting a present. :P But feel free to give us all your gifts :P
Just kidding, but in all seriousness, I am resolving to remember this year that although it is nice to give and get that it is not about that. I am resolving to enjoy and savor the time I have with family and friends this holiday season. I am resolving to not allow the stress of the holiday's to overshadow the joy that should go with them.
Here are crossed fingers and prayers that this season is stressfree and every day ends with a smile.

A Lot to Give Thanks For

44. that my car was in the parking lot when I arrived
45. nice policemen
46. insurance agent from the South
47. husbands who worry
48. sister-in-laws
49. cute old couples
50. popcorn and a movie night with Claire
51. nephews
52. laughter among family

Alex's Thanksgiving List