White before Christmas

Well, hopefully Santa will be able to brave this NE weather we're having! After a foot of snow last week, and then a whole weekend of freezing rain, then ice, then snow and back to freezing rain, the texture of everything can be best compared to meringue...it's crunchy on top and softer underneath! Not really great driving weather (good thing Brad is home studying for his new drug!) and not great playing in the snow weather!

Luckily Olivia and Brad were able to make a snowman before it got bad!

Now the snowman is glossy!

I was stupid enough to try M&Ms for the face...which apprently don't just melt in your mouth...

Oh Christmas Tree

Yesterday when we went to cut down our tree, the one we chose almost a month ago, we were sure we had (once again) chosen a tree that was not the proper size for our living space! Let's run down the trees of Christmas past...

The first year in Stamford...we brought our tree back from NJ to our 650sqft apartment...and it really felt like we had another person living with us, it was so huge! Then there was the late night disposal of the tree (real ones weren't allowed in Southwoods Square) trying to cover up the trail of needles to the door!

The following year in Stamford, we bought our mini tree from LL Bean. It was the perfect size for the place, but our presents kind of dwarfed it!

Our tree in Danbury...well, in our defense, it looked great when we cut it down. But, note to self, never pick a tree that grew up on a hill! It was definitely not the straightest of trees!

The last two trees were here in Wethersfield. And though they were good trees, none of them can top this years! It seems to be just right!

Though Olivia really thought this was the perfect "Charlie Brown" tree for her!

Olivia meets Santa!

We took the kids to "breakfast with Santa" yesterday. Olivia's first offical meeting of the big guy. I had coached her pretty well to ask for a certain present (one she is sure to be getting) just to get her comfortable talking to him. She was so excited to see him, she ran right up into his arms and gave him a big hug and sat on his lap. Apparently she was pretty cute to someone else too, the lady from the local paper took her picture and told us that she would put it in the next issue (it's a bi-montly issue, we'll keep you updated). Luke was much more interested in a Christmas countdown chair and refused to sit for a picture.

He did seem pretty happy to sit in the fire engine though afterwards!

Thanksgiving in NJ

So, last weekend we packed up the car and headed to NJ for our house-hopping Thanksgiving. First it was Thanksgiving Brunch with "Grandmama Scott" and Frank and Francine in from Canada, and then on to the Krout's to see the other part of the Krout family (this is just part of the "kids table")

we also celebrated Luke's birthday again, and then finally on to my dads for Thanksgiving with the Delciello's which included a rousing hour of liqour fueled kareoke which featured the usuals "Born to Be Wild", "The Pina Colada Song" and sadly "I've Got You Babe"...sorry Dad, it's just not cool to do that in kareoke!

He's One!!

Whoo hoo! It's hard to believe a whole year has gone by, but today little Luke hit the big numero uno. We celebrated with a special train cake and opened a few gifts. Luke will be lucky if Olivia lets him play with some of them...

Piles and Piles of Leaves

The leaves are falling at a rapid pace due to this crazy wind we get everyday. I've been lucky to have a few nice days of warm weather to get out and rake and let the kids play. Olivia and Luke have been LOVING the big piles I make them. Luke got right in and the two of them threw leaves at each other. It was pretty cute. But Brad mowed the lawn and the pile is gone now :( I'm sure more will fall tomorrow!!

Trick or Treat!

Well, it took "Fairy Princess" Olivia 8 houses to finally get the "trick or treat" out of her mouth...oddly the candy receiving didn't take as long to click in! She got that right away...and no dad, she didn't eat any of it until she got home...unlike her mommy! Luke even got a few treats in his pouch! I think I should start making Olivia's costume now since it took me so long to get it done this year!

We stuck to the neighborhood and rushed home because Brad was afraid to get stuck with all the candy we had bought...we did end up with a bowl full at the end that I have hid for emergencies.