End of 2011

On this final day of 2011, the whole family climbed to the top of Pinnacle Mountain. Ryan strapped Waverly on front and I spotted Harrison. That evening we were able to escape for a nice dinner together sans kids. It was a good way to end the year.

Numero 3

One of my favorite present this year is this locket Ryan gave to me. I love the packaging so much I don't want to take it off :)

The Ahhhh

Santa Claus e-mailed me a special video message for Harrison. He's so funny. 

Lighting It Up

We decided to take the kiddos to see the lights and they were both really pumped. It took awhile to drive over there and when we turned around both of them were passed out! Should we wake them? Normally, I would say no but I knew it would be worth it. After a couple of minutes of nudging H, he finally came around when I mentioned I had a candy cane for him :)

I thought this image turned out pretty cool.

Christmas Shots

Christmas morning was full of smiles and giggles. Priceless moments.

Waverly's favorite part was the wrapping paper and boxes. 

Mrs. Claus is worn out after a busy Christmas season.

Book Worms

Sometimes I'm amazed at what comes out of Mr. H's mouth. He absorbs so much from books and conversations that his vocabulary will probably be better than mine by next year. We hope to always encourage this love of learning.

One night we were out of new books so Ryan decided to read Harrison one of his. For the past couple of weeks, Ryan read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis to him. I can't believe he listened to the entire book! It got me thinking of the next book and I remember my friend Heather said her son really enjoyed The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne. OMG, we hit the jackpot with these. They are about a brother and sister who use their tree house to travel to far off lands that are filled with dragons, wizards, polar bears, lion, basically anything boys droll over. Our library has most of these  so it's a special treat when when pick up some new ones. Win-Win.

Christmas 2011

The light of the Christmas star to you,

The warmth of home and hearth to you,

The cheer and good will of friends to you,

The hope of a childlike heart to you,

The joy of a thousand angels to you,

The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

The Eve

It's Pulpe last day with us and he's going out with a bang. Ryan thinks Pulpe is trying to tell us Harrison has been an angel. 

Double chocolate chip cookies for santa and the elves - check, carrots for the reindeer - check, two sleeping babies - check! Enjoy the silence.

Birthday Acts

Rub-a-dub-dub, an Elf in the tub!

Today is my birthday and I'll cry if I want to. Only kidding, I'm fine with birthdays as long as no one asks me my age ;) My day started out by reading this card from Heather whom I've know for over 20 years! This quote reminds me of skunks!

This year I wanted to do something new for my birthday and I read about a great idea on someone's blog . . . A random acts of kindness day! So I asked the family if they would assist me in my quest. Harrison and I baked cookies this morning and left a few for our mailman. 

The rest of the cookies went to the local fire house. All the firemen were pretty excited to have some tasty treats. 

Our next stop was at Harrison's doctor's office. Last time we were there, I noticed they didn't have any Highlights magazines. When I was little that was a "highlight" of going to the doctor and finding the hidden images. Harrison was sweet enough to donate a few of his issues. We also dropped off a few board books for the young 'uns. 

We found a row of vending machines at the hospital and placed quarters in all the change spots. Anything to make someone smile when they are at the hospital this time of year.

It's happened to us before . . . you've run out of diapers and/or wipes! We left a few in the bathroom for that emergency situation.

I left several of my favorite magazines in the waiting room. I highly recommend This Old House :)

This act was one of my favorites. If you look closely, you'll see a dollar bill tucked into the construction truck. We hid a few dollars in the toy aisle of Dollar Tree for some kids to find.

Had to make a pit stop at Target for some supplies. While there, we returned a cart, smiled at strangers, picked up some trash, and chatted with the checker. 

Bob and Mimi babysat the kiddos (thank you!) for a much needed quiet birthday lunch (yeah, eating local). Afterwards, we dropped off diapers, wipes, gloves and formula at a homeless shelter for families.

And finally, we pulled together a care package for Flip Flopper and Jacob. Oh and I can't forget a lovely phone call to Nana.

Just think if everyone did ONE random act, ONE day a year, how much better would this world be?!!!

Angel Guiding Us

From Bad Astronomy: This devastatingly beautiful image shows the birth pangs of a massive star. Called IRS 4 (for Infrared Source 4; it was first seen in IR images), it’s the really bright star just below center where the two blue lobes come together. It’s a bruiser, an O-type star with at least 15 times the Sun’s mass — 30 octillion tons! — and is a staggering 10,000 times as bright. It’s still in the process of forming, but it’s nearly there. 

See there are angels watching us!

Gingerbread House Builder

Harrison and Mimi Marcia constructed this candy covered gingerbread house. It makes me smile every time I look at it.

Getting Closer

We're all anxious to start opening presents. Not too much longer.

Trouble with a capital T

We noticed the Lego criminals gathered together and knew trouble was brewing.

Poor Pulpe! Those bad guys tied him up to the chair. Good thing, the police officers and firefighters were able to save him and the day!

Goin' Fishin'

You never know what that silly Elf is going to be up to! 

We had a Dirty Santa Christmas exchange today and it was fun for all.

TP Tree

After Harrison saw this scene, he said "I'm about sick of this Elf and all his messes!" You would think he's the one cleaning up these messes!

Sleepy Elfie

I think Pulpe is getting pretty worn out flying back and forth to the North Pole.

The Season of Giving

Pulpe was all ready to tag along with Harrison to school today. 

It's the season of giving and man, it's kept me busy, in a good way :) I made these "Christmas Cookies in a Jar" for friends and Harrison's school. We kept one for ourselves and they made pretty tasty cookies.

For Harrison's school friends, we bagged the homemade chex mix and burned cds of Harrison's favorite Christmas songs. It's a good thing he has a graphic designer as a mama!

I had the most fun creating these necklaces. I'm thinking about making more and selling them on Etsy . . .

Hush Little Elfie

Awwhhhh, he's all snuggled up in Dada's hood enjoying a bottle.

Construction Elf

Let's get building! It seems Pulpe has been watching Bob the Builder and is ready to work.

Jumpin' Elf

Oh that Pulpe, he loves Waverly's jumperoo!

Climbing Adventure

Remember Waverly's name sign on her dresser? Well, here's Harrison's. I'm really digging it on the door so I might move W's to her door. Notice Pulpe attempting to open the door?

Harrison hung with the big boys today. It was his first outdoor climbing/bouldering adventure and he loved it! 

Stinky Socks

"Oh great, he brought me some stinky socks" was Harrison's remark when he saw Pulpe. I had to explain there was still a tag on them so I'm sure they aren't smelly. 

Tis the season for baking. My friend Andria makes the best chex mix and peanut butter balls every holiday season. I tried my hand at the mix this year and it turned out fairly good :) She was probably sick of all my questions! 

I also made 7 Layer Dip for Waverly's monthly playdate. Unfortunately, we were all so busy talking and watching the kiddos we forgot to get a picture! Guess we'll just have to wait until January.

Be Thankful

Whooo, Lucy is getting an early Christmas present in her stocking.

We're keeping up the tradition of the advent calendar. Each compartment contains three M&Ms and the person who eats the M&Ms is supposed to say three things/people they are thankful for. Here's an examples of Harrison's - garbage, reindeer, construction sites, dump trucks, garbage men, trash cans, toys, landfills and crawler cranes.

Roastin' Mallows

When Harrison saw Pulpe roasting marshmallows this morning, he said "this is going to be awesome!"

Five Months!

I'm gonna have to go to the grocery store and buy some more syrup!

Our little angel is five months today! I feel like a lot have changed in the past couple of weeks. She's able to get on all fours and lift that belly off the ground. She puts EVERYTHING in her month that is within reach. She's learned to show her displeasure. For example, she'll help me open the mail and if she tries to eat the envelope (which she does every time), she says "ahhhhhh, grrrrr, ahhhh, eeeeehhhh" when I take it away.

She adores Lucy cat. She reaches out for her, growls and grabs handfuls of fur. Lucy must not mind b/c she doesn't move. Her favorite person is probably still Harrison. He gets the best laughs out of her. 

And lastly, she can't wait for Christmas to come!