Our Tree

We got a little tree this year...with the hopes of scoring an awesome, huge fake one after Christmas (and on sale). I crammed most of our decorations on this small one. I am not sure anymore can fit. But I love it. And can you tell Hudson did the bottom of the tree?

Not really a kid friendly tree...


But I like the colors (and that it isnt green and red).


And I have 2 Trains...


And the boys love the birds and nests...


And sparkly things...


And 2 planes...


And balls...


So maybe it is kid and parent friendly after all.

Making a Mess

My kids aren't the only ones that make a mess around here. I have been just as bad lately. I let them play with rice, beans, grains and a bunch of other things in big trays with cars and trucks. It kept them busy for 20 minutes (by the way, that is a LONG time for them). The old Nicole would have cringed at the mess. Or the thought of a mess. But the mommy-Nicole with two messy-dirt-loving boys that need to do things to keep busy doesn't even flinch. And the funny thing is, clean up isn't even that bad.






Hudson made ornaments with glitter glue when Cannon napped.



And then I went crazy at Lakeshore and got a ton of art stuff and learning supplies. Love that place. And then I let them play with the stickers. And make art. And plate-faces.




The mess is totally worth the fact that it keeps the boys busy for a few minutes.

Hudson Says...and Cannon Says

Hudson to Cannon on Cannon's Birthday: Happy Birthday Cannon.
Cannon: Happy Birfday Huddy. [obviously Cannon doesn't really get it - but at least he's being polite.]
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Hudson when he wakes on Thanksgiving morning: Did Santa come and bring presents?
Me: No, Silly. It's Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hudson: Oh, it's Chicken Day?

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After opening Dinosaur rain boots from Grandma: Grandma, I don't really like dinosaurs anymore. I am ready to just get baseball stuff.

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Hudson: Grandpa is a bad listener. That means he's on the naughty list.
Me: Who told you that?
Hudson: Grandma.

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Hudson: All that sledding sure made me hungry.

Oh Christmas Tree

Thomas the Train

My dad and I took the boys to Thomas the train a few weeks ago. The real Thomas the Train travels the country and kids can ride on him. They kids loved it. A little overwhelming but a fun day.

Ready for Christmas ~ 2010

I love these photos. Even with the crying. The parents in front of us took about a half hour of santa's time. They kept re-taking the photos, looking at the pics and then putting their kids up on Santa again for another try, making the whole line wait. I dont know why, but it just doesnt bother me if kids are crying in the Santa pictures. I think it is funny. Both boys did much better with Santa this year than last year. In fact, Cannon let Santa hold him for awhile before the picture. And Hudson was talking to him about Dinosaurs. And I heard Cannon yelling "Choo-Choos!". But then Cannon started crying when Santa put him on his lap. Cannon's crying made Hudson a little nervous but the 'elf' was holding a candy cane that he really wanted so he looked at the camera and smiled. Then when we got home Hudson said "Cannon is on the naughty list with me." Not sure what Santa told him but I hope he instilled a little fear in these kids. Haha. O'well... Merry Christmas!

Christmas Is Coming

Our family photos came back and I love them. Just a little sneak peak of Jim's work. And even though photo sessions with kids can sometimes be not-so-fun, I thought the kids did great. I guess it helps that we were at a park.




I mean, look at this face?


And these. And they didnt even fall in the water.



The kids playing...





So sweet...She loves picking Cannon up.


Action shots...



And NO, we have not showed you our Christmas photo yet... you'll have to wait to see that one!

1,2,3,4

After Cannon and Gia's birthdays this month, all the kids are now one, two, three and four years old. I wanted to get a picture of the kids, in ascending age order. Forget order... we just tried to get a picture.

First, we tried to take a picture when they werent really paying attention.


But we wanted them to look at the camera.


And then Rowen rolled away.


So we sat them by the fireplace. But the camera freaked out.


And it was hard to get them to pay attention.


And then Rowen ran away.


So then we tried to get them to lay down next to each other.


Not sure that worked either.


But you get the point. Rowen is 1. Cannon is 2. Hudson is 3. Gianna is 4. 1,2,3,4.