Our Snow Giant...

Kaiden and Kenny spent all afternoon building a snowman while Kiersen and I stayed inside baking cupcakes for the Halloween party tomorrow at preschool. Our snowman was HUGE! Notice that I said was...when we got home from dinner at my parents this evening, the whole thing had toppled to the ground! So much for Frosty....but I'm so glad he had his hard hat on...safety first!

Snow = Let's Set Up the Christmas Tree!

(Look at that sweet little hand...)

Okay....I know I said I'd never set up the Christmas tree before November 1st, BUT....how could I resist....with all the snow that arrived today, coupled with the fact that I was going to be home alone with the kids all evening, and Christmas music playing so perfectly from the back bedroom...I just couldn't help myself. And....really, I only set it up one week early, being that my plan was to set it up next weekend anyway!!!! (Okay...enough with the justification).

I believe Kiersen's going to take after me (a lil' elf) and not her daddy (a ba-humbug)....she screeched with delight over Kaiden's snowman that sings Christmas tunes, couldn't keep her hands off the lights, and decided to taste the decorations (just in case they tasted like ribbon candy).

As for Kaiden...I think this is the first year he actually took a real interest in the tree. Usually he helps me for a little and then gets side tracked. He was completely excited over hanging the decorations....in fact, he was so excited that some of the tree branches get 6-9 decorations on them! And then who could forget straightening the star at the top of the tree with my cleaning pole!

When everything was finished it looked beautiful.....now I just want to sit in the peace and quiet of the evening hours staring at the tree, looking past out to the deck where all the snow has laid. Merry Christmas (....er, um...Happy Halloween) everyone!

Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe...

(Blowing me a kiss...)

Tonight Kaiden learned about the mistletoe...and mommy got lots and lots of kisses!!!

Kiersen's First Snowfall!

Tonight was Kenny's 'topping out' party at the Hollywood Casino. I was looking forward to being able to celebrate with him; but as it turned out, Mother Nature decided to throw us a curve ball and send 12+ inches of snow our way, so I ended up staying at home with the kids instead. I was caught totally unprepared and didn't even have a snow outfits for Kaiden or Kiersen! There was no stopping Kaiden....he didn't care if he had snow pants or not, he was going outside today no matter what! As for little girl, her first snowfall had to be viewed from the inside looking out. Guess I better get moving on the snowsuits!

#61...

So today Kaiden found Kenny's old high school football jersey and insisted on wearing it. It was so cute to see him in it, and it brought back lots of old memories. I'll always cheer for my #61!

Halloween 2011

(End of the night...we finally gave up on the tutu...)

(Aunt Bumble Bee, Optimus Prime and Miss Ballerina)

(Chewing on her shoe...)

(And....chewing on her tutu)

(Yeah....not so happy about the outfit....)

Yesterday we took the kids to Aunt Delle/Uncle Gary's and Grandma Nan/Paw Paw's house for trick-or-treating. Kaiden was Optimus Prime and Kiersen was a lil' ballerina. Kiersen was not too happy about the tutu this time around and screamed until I nearly took it off of her (so much for my hard work). We still have another stop to make (Grandma & PawPaw's), and we already have (as Kaiden would call it) candy overload!!!

Tying Hair Bows in my Sleep....

I've been super busy getting ready for Thistle Creek's Open House in November. I think I could just about tie hair bows in my sleep, but man am I having fun creating! Oh how my life has changed since God blessed me with my little girl...I know I certainly wouldn't be making hair bows if she hadn't come along!

Rem-Rem

My sweet ol' boy...enjoying the fall air.

Colors, Colors, Colors!

I love this time of year...cool mornings and crisp evenings....the smell of wood stoves....crackling leaves and colors everywhere! I'm so glad I live in the mountains...couldn't imagine living anywhere else!

Our Pumpkin Patch Yields One Pumpkin!

Well...our pumpkin patch only gave us one pumpkin, despite the fact that it took over our entire parking area at the house. Kaiden's pretty excited about it though....even though it never really turned orange. It probably would've if I didn't get impatient and cut it off the vine, but I think it's unique just the way it is. I know one thing for sure, we Echternach's would never make it as farmers!