Christmas Cheer

 The photo above and below are a perfect
depiction of our holiday break!
Crazy moments, calm moments (and a lot of in-between!).
I was fortunate to take several days off of work
to spend time with the boys.
We had a nice balance of activity and staying home.

 Our first snow-dusting looked so pretty on the clubhouse.
It was the first year we decorated with lights!

Big Santa makes his appearance every year;

the kids have fun sitting on his lap (saves us a mall visit - ha!).

Tyler's face is saying, "I'm asking for a phone, 

but I know I'm not getting a phone."

 
Christmas cuties.
Drew tipped his head over to Tyler.
Totally worth the photo!

  We moved our Christmas tree into the living room.
Drew was not sure about this because it meant bending a ritual,
but he agreed it felt more cozy.
Yes, an Iowa State jersey!

We hope you had a restful, wonderful Christmas.

The Joy of Baking

Peppermint, salted carmel, gumdrop and ginger.

The taste of the holidays!

We had a couple of weekends of spending

most of the day in the kitchen, baking up a storm.

... and cleaning the tornadic aftermath!

 Tyler and Maddie handled the construction of the houses.

The frosting was so weak - we almost added real glue : )

A couple of years ago I made a gumdrop tree.

It's simple and whimsical - perfect for kid hands to master!

(sugar "snow" in the jar, of course)

I am a popcorn fanatic.  

The pic below is a bit of heaven.

You can't say Paula Deen without saying one stick of butter.

We tried something new ... melting hard candies.

One idea was to melt lifesavers into a cane or wreath

and it's a completely edible ornament.

Let's just say I don't have any photos of those masterpieces.

Snow Fun

Our first snow of the season!

The sleds were too high to reach,

so Drew volunteered to ride roll down the hill in an orange box.

Soccer Star

Our Lucky Number 13!

Drew was sooo excited to play U8 soccer this year.

He wouldn't mind practice every day -

he can't get enough playing time!

After one game Drew said, 

"I want to get my hair cut so it doesn't move.

When I run it flops in the air."

His mop-top could land a shampoo commercial!

 

Fright Night

Happy Halloween!  

We are enjoying all of the fall traditions,

especially anything related to dressing up 

and getting chocolate.

A few of Tyler's friends aged out 

of Beggar's Night, and I'm

glad he decided to go with

his little brother (and me, trying to keep a 'mom cool' distance

with a big group of boys!).

The kids decided on being heroes 

this year.  Wise choice.

 It wouldn't be a true photo session without resistance.

The photo below would be

a fun one to caption -- right!?

Hat on.  Hat off.

 

Twelve!

He's twelve and I may be

boycotting the term "tween."

I always ask the kids what theme

they want for their birthday and Tyler

said, "Just a fall party."

Done!

He is getting taller and I'm 

guessing I will be looking up

to him in a couple of years!

Happy birthday, Tybo.

Here are a few snaps from
our annual KC game: