Searching for our Christmas Tree

Jeff and I both had real trees in our houses growing up and loved it.  We both remember going to find the perfect tree, cutting it down and bringing it home.  We wanted to start that tradition with our boys and this year seemed as good a year as any. 

 

We had a perfect weekend to do so this past weekend.  Off to Heritage Valley Tree Farm we went.

 

My boys off to find the perfect tree. 

As you can see there were a lot of little ones...as you can imagine, the drought this summer had an impact on the tree growth. 

I loved the feeling of finding our Christmas tree at a family owned farm for over 100 years.

Tyler got a bit bored searching for the perfect tree and the tree sled was the perfect mode of transportation. :)

 

Happy boy! 

These are the memories Jeff and I were hoping for!

Still searching...

Getting closer...(and impatient)

Mom and Nathan enjoyed the perfect weather too. 

I had a lot of gear - a baby and a camera bag. 

Daddy started sawing.

Then Tyler went to work.  He did a great job cutting down our Christmas tree.

 

My boys and our little tree.

Tyler took a lot of ownership in our Christmas tree and wanted to help drag it back.

 

Pull!

Muscle man!

Headed for home to put the tree up. 

We had such a good time.  I am positive we started a tradition that is here to stay.

 

I will be sure to post photos soon of our little decorated tree.  It makes our house smell amazing too!



Introducing our Elf on the Shelf, Red!

We thought Tyler might actually get into Elf on the Shelf this year.  We were correct.  Tyler looks for Red every morning when he wakes up.

For those who are not familiar, Elf on the Shelf is the way that Santa really knows who is naughty or nice.  Tyler named our elf, Red...real original. :)  Red reports to Santa each night with a behavior report for the day.  Each morning after Red has returned from the North Pole, he rests in a different place.  Tyler is not supposed to touch Red as he could lose his magic.  Red cannot talk to the kids but Tyler is encouraged to tell Red what he wants for Christmas from Santa.  I have been having a lot of fun with it and Tyler wakes up most mornings wanting to know where Red and the search begins. 

 

These are some the things we have found Red doing:

 

Nov. 25: Red was hiding with the animals.

Nov. 26: Red was taking a nap in the Kleenex box in the living room. 

Nov. 27: Red was rocking Baby Jesus. 

This did not make Tyler happy.  Tyler told Red "You don't get Baby Jesus"

"Baby Jesus goes here with Mary and Joseph" Tyler said, as he put Baby Jesus in the manger. 

I thought it was pretty cute that he was so protective over Baby Jesus. 

Nov. 28: Red was doing flips from the ceiling fan in Tyler's room.

Nov. 29: Red was brushing his teeth.  (I suggested Red be in a spot that was already part of our morning routine as we had been running late the previous two mornings because we had to search for Red.) 

Nov. 30:  Red was enjoying some popcorn while watching TV.

 

Dec. 1: Red was reading Tyler's animals a Santa story and Tyler sat down and started playing.  Red sure knows the way to Tyler's heart...through books. 

 

I will keep you updated on future Red sightings.  I am hoping that the behavior continues to improve.  I would say that since Red has come to our house, Tyler's trips to the corner have been reduced by 50%!  Great job, Red!  Hopefully Santa is getting the good news! ;)

iPhone Photo Overload - part I

I have a lot of random phones from my iPhone that I thought I would lump into a post (or several...there are a LOT of random photos) with explanations.

 

Krista got Tyler a Curious George memory game for his birthday and Tyler LOVES to play games including Memory, ZINGO and Sequence for Kids.  I love playing board games with my sweet boy. 

Speaking of sweet boys...this little one melts my heart.

When Sandy watches the boys (and now Hadley) on Tuesdays she sends photo updates throughout the day which I love. 

Tyler reading books at Aunt Sandy's.  Shocking, I know.  

I think we are going to have a boy who likes to wear hats. 

Sweet Hadley.  She looks so tiny in this picture.  It is fun to see her growing so fast!

ICE CREAM!  (and a huge red mark on his forehead from a fall earlier that day)

Nathan gets put in the play pen when I need to do things like shower and go to the bathroom so I know where he is when I am finished.  

How can you not love a little duck after bath time? 

 

I promise there are more to come...a LOT more. :)



School with GG

Tyler got to go to school with GG again this year to help her with her Christmas craft project.  You can see last year's school visit here. 

 

Tyler had to bring his backpack.  Of course.

I do have to admit this photo makes me tear up a bit.  He had no idea I was still there.  ;(

 

I was happy to spend the full morning with him watching him with the other kids.  A big thanks to my mom for watching Nathan for the morning. 

 

GG and I simplified the craft this year - thank goodness.  (Last year we used glitter glue - a bad idea for most 1st and 2nd graders.)

While Tyler went to the class rooms to get "more kids" with GG, I was in charge of setting up the crafts. 

 

Kids hard at work.

Tyler was busy coloring and working on his letters.  He can make a T, an O and an I...that is about all that is legible. 

We did the Santa ornament craft with some of the kids in the school library and Tyler was in LOVE!

This kid loves books more than anyone I have ever met...maybe even more than GG herself. 

GG loves volunteering with these little rug rats.  She has an extreme amount of patience and is so good with them.  I can do it for a few hours...and then I remember to really appreciate all teachers.  It is such an important profession that requires a LOT of patience. 

 

Thanks GG for inviting us to tag along for craft day.  Tyler loves going to school and I have fun helping too. 

Snowflake Art

Several weeks ago (I feel like I start every post this way), I found a fun idea on Pinterest and so to Michaels I went to get canvases. 

 

After a tiny bit a prep work with some masking tape, we were ready to go. 

 

Tyler loves to paint!

Very intent.

His job was to cover the entire canvas with paint.  Easy enough. 

Snowflake #2.

Messy hands!

Almost final product.  I outlined the snowflakes with black Sharpie and they look wonderful!  I love Tyler's artwork.  I am working on 3 more canvas masking tape designs to display all 4 seasons year round.  I will be sure to post photos when complete.   

 

I recommend this activity for kids who love to paint but may not quite be at the point of creating something recognizable.  ;)

 

 



Hunting Season 2012

Deer season was a few weekends ago so the boys were dressed in their camo.  Odd enough dad was dressed in bright yellow before heading to the farm for deer camp. 

 

I am pretty sure all of my boys were annoyed that I was taking this photo. 

I told Kyle, Maggie and Hadley that we could pass the camo onesie down to Hadley for next season.  I am sure Maggie and Hadley are thrilled. ;)

 

In several short years Tyler and Nathan can join Daddy, PoPo, Uncle Kyle and the rest of the crew at Otter Creek Farms to hunt and maybe, just maybe, I will have a free weekend to shop and relax.  Ahhh...sounds lovely right now.

 

 

Since my mom was out of town, I was in charge of sending the traditional oatmeal pies.  Jeff didn't come back with any pie so I assume they were a hit. 

 

Daddy did come home with meat for the freezer.  He got a doe.  (Thank goodness, how ever would we eat!...insert sarcasm here.)  We are thankful he had a good time and that he came home safely. 

 

 

 

8 Months!

Another month has come and gone.  The months sure do seem to be going quickly lately. 

 

Can you believe I am 8 months old?

I am pretty happy about it and think I am getting to be a big boy...with a lot of hair that was apparently pretty crazy on Friday.

I sure do have a hard time sitting still.

Hello!

Look at those beautiful eyes!

This is my favorite thing to do.  I love to stand on my own and take a few steps occasionally.  I also have excellent balance and love to dance. :)

 

Other updates:

• The biggest change for Nathan this month has been the gradual switch to formula.  I think we only have 3 more frozen servings of breastmilk for him before he is completely transitioned.  With 6 teeth his time was up.  Let's just say Nathan ruined it for himself...
• Nathan is very clearly saying MaMa and DaDa and we think he really knows who he is talking about.  Tyler doesn't seem to have a sound yet but Nathan still watches his every move and sometimes gets upset when he cannot see Tyler. 
• Play time is so much fun - he walks around everything and pushes truck on the floor, plays with balls, trains, hammers, books...pretty much EVERYTHING!
• Smiles are ALL the time and I love it. 
• Sleep is good; however the last few days Nathan has been really wanting me to cuddle him to sleep rather than fall asleep on his own, especially at night.  (Maybe he is sad about not being nursed)  I was frustrated about it at first but in rethinking it I just really appreciate the time with my little guy. 
• Nathan is really starting to get the hang of "Sooooo Big" and we are working on waving bye-bye. 
• Nathan is VERY currious!  He is into everything.  For example, he unpluged the lamp downstairs the other day and put the plug in his mouth.  Why?  Who knows?  Nathan is sneaky/quiet and FAST!  I can turn around and have the panic of where is Nathan.  His favorite spot is the bathroom.  I have learned to keep the door closed.  It is tough when you have a three year old who needs to go potty.  We are already struggling getting Tyler to pull his pants up, wash his hands and so to add close the door...it just doesn't always happen. 
• Overall, we are loving life with our two boys and cannot imagine the craziness any other way. :)