Christmas Card pics...

It is that time of year, again, when the family makes its pilgrimage to local spots to try and get the perfect picture for our Christmas cards. Last year's cards are going to be hard to beat, if I do say so myself. I absolutely loved them with the way the kids looked, the background and the blue cards...they were beautiful.

This year, we went back to the State Park since it is a natural backdrop and we also tried out Illinois Beach State Park. That was a trial. It was warm at home, but once we hit the beach, it was cold and blustery. Poor LC was shivering by the end of it but all the kids were such troopers about it. There was little complaining and valiant efforts at holding poses and smiling brightly.

I am bound and determined to get my cards out by the first of December, so the hunt is on for the perfect one. I am scouring the internet and have 3 possibilities, I think.

Here's a taste of one of the pics. It is not the one we are using but is still one of my favorites...

Harvest Fest...

Yesterday was Harvest Fest at the boys school and we had a BLAST! It is the first year they have done something like this and it seemed like a huge success. Usually the school sponsors a Halloween Fun Night the Friday before Halloween and this was so much better. There were horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, face-painting, a cake walk, 3 bouncy tents, and games galore. The weather was great for it.


Some pics of the kids from the day:





And some more:





That pic of Wyatt is one of the only ones we have since he was off and running with his friends.

Cousins...

Heather, Justin and Olivia came for a visit this week and my kids are in heaven. If they could keep her here forever, they would. Vivi is smiling up a storm and cooing all the time so it is really fun to interact with her. But, while it is nice to get a baby fix, it is even nicer to either hand her back or roll over in the middle of the night knowing I don't have to get up.;)

Dear God,

I don't ask for much. Whenever I pray, all I ask for is the health and safety of my family. Tonight, I ask for a much bigger favor.

Please.

I beg of you.



For the love of all that is holy, Let. The. Cubs. Win. I really don't think I can live in this house, with the boys I live with, if you don't give me this one favor this year. Seriously. Todd was reading me an article about 4 generations of Cubs fans and we both got so verklempt it was a little pathetic. And Wyatt. That precious boy is too young to have his heart broken.

So, if you could just give all Cubs fans around the world this one little favor this year, I would greatly appreciate it.

Kthnxbye.

An Entry for Uncle J.J...

Two years ago, Santa brought a huge Lego set that makes both an aircraft carrier and a destroyer. 1200 freaking pieces. I don't know what the fat man in the red suit was thinking because it sat in our crawl space for forever while the boys forgot about it. Until two weeks ago when they found it and begged daddy to "help" put it together which translates to doing it all himself since Wyatt nor Henry have the patience for Lego's. Seriously, aren't all little boys supposed to love those things? Mine like them as long as they are cooperating but the minute they run into trouble...tears because of frustration. I am hoping it is something they will grow out of. Or maybe not...then I won't be stepping on the little pieces anymore.

Anyways, the above picture is the monstrosity that the boys put together. They are so very proud.

My Little Fashionista...

I have a huge jewelry chest in my bedroom that is full of junk---and I do mean junk--jewelry, courtesy of my maternal grandmother. It has oodles of necklaces, bracelets and clip-on earrings to try on and model. Oftentimes, while I am getting ready in the morning, Lauren goes into it and tries on anything she can fit around her neck. Today, though, she found the earrings and this is the look she came up with:



Don't you love how the jewelry perfectly coordinates with her outfit? She gets that from me.

Woo-Hoo!!! First Day of School...

Yes! Success! Wyatt woke up fever-free this AM with a slight headache so we pumped him up with allergy meds and some Advil and off he went for his first full day of school in his new uniform colors. He was glad to be going back and being with his friends. I am hoping the meds last all day for him.



Henry's first day today was just a visit/play day where he met his new classmates and got re-acclimated with his classroom and teachers. There are 4 more boys in his class than there were last year for a total of 8 boys and 12 girls. He played wonderfully with his old buddies without much interest in the new ones but I am sure that will change as he gets to know them.