Christmas 2008

We had a marvelous Christmas this year. It is so much fun as the kids get older. We also were lucky to get to have my brother Andy and his wife Melissa back for the second year in a row. We did so much, as most families do, and we created so many wonderful memories. Here is a photographic trip down our Christmas 2008 memory lane...I know it was SO long ago!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning we have a tradition of finding a Christmas book for that year. The boys woke up to find a maze of string, which they had to follow to find our Christmas book this year. Jack lost interest quickly, but Cole

remembered doing it from the year before and very meticulously followed and rolled up the string. Our book this year was I Spy Christmas. Cole has poured over it since.

Christmas Eve Day Melissa and I baked cookies like mad women. Yum. They boys went out and bought the Stockhoff mandatory Cheese ball. The boys sure loved that thing. I normally don't mind a Christmas Cheese ball, but this one was weirdly flavored like bacon. Oh well they liked it.

Christmas Eve night (after the Pizza of course), we had our program. We listened to reverent Christmas music and read the story of the birth of Jesus from the scriptures. Cole put together his nativity as it followed the story.

Both boys wrote letters to Santa that night, to go with the cookies that "momy" made. Cole did a great job of sounding out and writing his letter. Jack did a great job at being cute.

Christmas Day

I totally woke up before either of the kids. I always do, I am such a nerd. Jack even slept in that morning, which he never does. Cole woke up first and came peeking down the stairs. He very nicely just starred at the tree and waited patiently for Jack to get up. Once both boys were up, we did stockings and then led right into presents. Jack was just happy to be there, and once he opened his Sarge from the movie cars, not else much mattered. Cole would have ripped through all the presents if allowed, BUT I am a huge believer in making Christmas morning last, so we slowly took turns around the room.

Jack being a builder

Cole opening his "pirate ship like Tanner's"

Jack hugging one of the presents

Andy and Cole playing video games (happened more than once)

The boys playing swords, one of the more loved and violent presents

Again, we had a marvelous Christmas. I loved every minute of it and there wasn't a moment where I didn't feel gratitude for this time of year. I felt blessed to provide a Christmas. I felt blessed to have family here with us. I felt blessed to have healthy and happy kids. I felt blessed to be in a wonderful marriage. I felt blessed to know and teach my kids the real meaning of Christmas. I hope everyone had a joyous Christmas too.

Christmas Cookies

Cookie/goody plates do not always make it on my Holiday to-do list. One, I am not sure I am great baker. Two, who has the time to bake that many plates? Three, where is the money going to come from to bake all those different kinds of goodies (heaven forbid I just whip up one batch of plain old choco chip cookies)?

This year, I wasn't so much feeling the pressure to do cookies, I just had the domestic desire to do them. So I did. I thought I would share with you the recipes for the Zitzman Family Cookies this year. From top of picture to bottom-- Black Forest Cookies, courtesy of Everyday Baking, All American Chocolate Chip Cookies, courtesy of some cookbook I can't remember, and Ghiradelli Ultimate Double Chocolate Cookies, courtesy of, well duh!


Black Forest Cookies

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 table spoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup packed dark-brown sugar
2 larges eggs
1 package semi sweet chocolate chunks
1 ½ cups dried cherries

Preheat over to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder; and salt; set aside. Place chopped chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; whisk in sugars, then eggs, until smooth. Whisk in dry ingredients just until combined (do not over mix). Fold in chocolate chunks and dried cherries; press plastic wrap directly onto surface of dough, and refrigerate until firm, 30 to 45 minutes. Drop mounds of dough (equal to 2 level tablespoons) about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets. Bake just until edges are firm (but not darkening), 11 to 13 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rick to cool completely.

All American Chocolate Chip Cookies


1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup shortening
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cup flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ pkg of chocolate chips

Cream butter & shortening together. Add sugars, beat until light and fluffy. Mix in egg & vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Stir in chips. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Cool on rack.

Ghiradelli Ultimate Double Chocolate Cookie

12 ounce(s) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
11 1/2 ounce(s) 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
6 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter
3 eggs
1 cup(s) sugar
1/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
1 cup(s) chopped walnuts

In double boiler over hot water, melt bittersweet chocolate chips and butter. In large bowl with electric mixer or whisk, beat eggs and sugar until thick; stir into chocolate mixture. In small bowl, stir together flour and baking powder; stir into chocolate mixture. Gently mix in semi-sweet chocolate chips and walnuts. Using a sheet of plastic wrap, form dough into two logs, each 2 inches in diameter and about 12 inches long. As dough will be quite soft, use plastic wrap to hold dough in log shape. Wrap tightly; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. (Dough may be frozen; thaw in refrigerator before proceeding with recipe.) Heat oven to 375°F. Unwrap dough; with sharp knife, cut into 3/4-inch slices. Place slices 1 1/2 inches apart on greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until shiny crust forms on top but interior is still soft.

24 wks, Happy Bday, Strep, and the ER

Here is a fun run down of this past weekends events. Enjoy, we sure did!

FIRST: I am officially 6 months pregos now. Similar to another post, I have been trying to take a picture for several days but it wasn't working out. So this morning in all our post weekend trauma, I decided to heck with it, who cares if I am in my jammies for this one AND who cares if the picture causes a few "oh geez now you can totally tell she is pregnant!", let's just take this thing. If you will notice, I smiled in this picture, as was requested. Also I promise a friend that I would not lead into this picture with any disparaging remarks about myself...so as hard as that is here ya'all go (all I ask is that there aren't any posts that remark to the like "it's about time you start showing" etc.

SECOND: Happy late bday hubby of mine.

Can you believe you are so wise at the ripe old age of 32 (don't worry I thought it was 31 until he had to help me with my math!). He is not at all daunted by another year in age. In fact, he thinks that being older makes him more credible as a therapist. We had a good night away thanks to his parents. The only bummer was that Spencer started getting sick. Which leads to...

THIRD: Strep! I got a call Friday morning from Spencer's parents asking me if the boys had been sick. Well, not really, but obviously they were now. So I now had three sick boys to worry about. We figured it was just colds all around but when we got to Gram and Papa's Jack was doing horrible. Cole was fine to this point. So we took him to a Walgreen's Minute Clinic (PS LOVE THESE THINGS). Sure enough he had strep. We then tested Spencer, sure enough he had strep. That night was a holy night of misery! I slept with Jack and Spencer ended up sleeping with Cole, who got increasingly worse. In fact, he had a really hard time breathing. But thanks to a tidbit of info from the NP at the clinic, we were able to calm the breathing down by having Cole breath in the really cold night air. Well, that only worked one night. Which leads to...

FOURTH: ER. Last night we hunkered both boys in Jacks room since we only have one humidifier. Cole was so excited. He said it was practice for when they share rooms when the baby comes. All was well until 2 am. Cole woke up horribly upset and completely unable to catch his breath. We tried the cold again. We tried steam from a shower and nothing absolutely nothing help him able to breath. SO at 2:30 we bundled up a hysteric little boy, not breathing really well, and I hauled him to the ER. Spencer needed to stay with Jack so I was off by myself. Not really a big deal except that the Children's Hospital is in a sketchy part of town (and that is not just my version of sketchy, that is really sketchy). Thank heavens all Cole has is croup. We were there for almost three hours, but well worth it to get him a dose of steroids and on the road to breathing well again. He did so well and was so brave. He came right home and slept for 4 hours.

All the boys are doing well. We know we may have a rough night ahead still. The ER doc said that the steroids may not fully work for up to 36 hours (yikes!). BUT I am grateful it isn't serious AND that we have the power of prayer to help give health and comfort. AND, knock on whatever, I don't feel the slightest bit sick!

New Favorite Obsession

This is going to be a quick, probably short lived post, but I just wanted to share one old blog and one new blog that add to a new obsession. I have always dreamed of what I would do to this room or that room. Sometimes before going to bed at night I fantasize about how I could assemble my dream house. During frivolous day dream, there is no price to my imaginary house. On more practical poor days I imagine my house with frugality in mind.

I will admit that with a shortage of funds, and more things on my priority list, my "imagination redecorating" had gone on away. BUT my friend Vanessa and her awesomeness rekindled a little creative spark within. Her blog V & CO is really something to behold. She is amazing and has the best eye. What makes her amazing is that she can redo anything and make it look classic beautiful. PLUS, she is so willing to share how she does things. There are even really easy tutorials to show you how. OH and she sews too! I have not attempted any big project yet, but with a little more self-pep talk, and yes still need some funds, I am hoping to accomplish some great things. SO STAND BY.

Through blog stalking Vanessa, I was led to another site, which led to another site, etc. CK Interiors might be a new point of envy for me. While not everything she does in in my style, lets just say that 95 percent is. If you have some time to sit on your fanny and dream of what could be, take a look. The only bummer with this site is that because she is an actual interior designer, she doesn't give how to's. She gives great ideas and shows great pictures. BUT the rest is up to you being able to figure it out.

I am sure my decorating prowess is going to still be predominately imaginary, but I am hoping to take some inspiration from these sites and make some magic happen with the talent and dough that I have. ENJOY!

Flu shots

Oh tis the season for flu shots. Nothing like taking your kids to the Dr's with the sole purpose of jabbing them with a needle. So that whole explaining it to your kids before hand, well let's just say that didn't so much work out for me. Let's just look at the explained to (Cole) vs the ignorant one (Jack).

COLE- We very nicely explained the whole thing.

"Yes, a shot hurts a little, but it will help you be healthy."
"The hurt only last a little bit"

We even tried bribing and guilt

"We will go and get a happy meal afterwards."
"Mommy gets one too"
"All your friends will have to get one"
"Be a big boy and show Jack how brave you can be"

Here is how it played out- He held a death grip onto his pants in order for me not to get them down. When I did get them down, he immediately started screaming, "NOOOOOO!" (but imagine more O's). The nurse and I finally got him laying down, but only by force. I had to throw myself over his top half, while the nurse had to try to clasp his flailing legs. The whole time we are trying to calm him down, but alas she finally just had to jab him. I get him down, obviously now seriously traumatized, and unfortunately I non too compassionately look into his crocodile tear filled eyes and sigh.

GREAT now it was time for the actual little one.

JACK- I explained nothing. I did however promise him a happy meal in the hopes he would be too busy to think about his chicken nuggets to notice the needle coming his way.

Baffled he stared at his rather upset brother. Looked at me and let out a fake, "WAH". Then just smiled. He was slightly concerned when I laid him back on the table, but all I had to do was talk about nuggets and french fries, and the nurse could have been on another planet.

Then the shot came. His eyes went from excited to, "hey what the heck just happened!" He did cry a little bit, but all I had to do was sit him up, talk about McDonald's and a sticker and we were good to go. His tears might have cleared up before Cole's did.

So ignorance won. AND yes I realize that Jack is two and it is easier to keep him ignorant. On a positive note, on the way out of the Dr's office Cole looked at me and said, "That really wasn't that bad after all." Lets see if he remembers that come next flu season!

Minimal Decking of Our Halls

It is a tradition to put up the Christmas stuff the day after Thanksgiving. We might have fudged a little this year. Everything went up two days after Thanksgiving...oh no! I came back that day after a second day of shopping and Spencer had put up our tree, which then led me to do a little Christmas cheer. All I had to do now was decorate the tree in my special anal way!

After only a short time, everything was displayed in all it's holiday glory. Now it took only a short time because our supply of Christmas decor is in limited supply. I laughed when I realized that all of our decorations (for the most part) came from our very first Christmas when we had extra money.

Here is my holiday decor wish list:

Willow Tree Nativity Set (it only took my mom 25 years to get this)

Red Berry Christmas Wreath

Kids Christmas Tree (one just for their "special" homemade ornaments)

More Cute and Charming Decorations

So most of these things are completely unnecessary, and actually have nothing to do with the real meaning of Christmas...which is probably why I have talked myself out of them for the last several years. Still a girl can dream here and there!

On the plus side, we finally got a nativity set this year. Thanks mom and dad. It may be meant for the kids, but it is under the family tree for all to enjoy. It will be a nice stand in until I can get my willow tree one!

Yes, that is a Fisher Price Little People Nativity

Grateful for Thanksgiving

I had been looking forward to Thanksgiving for months. One, because it is a holiday and I love a good holiday. Two, I was getting to host again, we all know how I love hosting. BUT the most important reason was, three, I had some family coming! I was most excited about that. My brother Greg, his wife Allice and their new baby Gus were first to arrive Tuesday morning.

My boys were so excited to see them. They had never been to our house, so Cole was excited to show them around. Jack LOVED baby Gus. All he wanted to do was hold him. It really put us at ease about him and a new baby here. HOW CUTE is baby Gus???

My brother Andy drove up on Thanksgiving morning. He had been doing an Army training for about a month. He had gotten home at like 3 in the morning. SO we were so happy to see him. He walked in to a yummy smelling house, because we had been a cooking frenzy! Everything turned out great, especially the bird, which I still always worry about. The Bacon Herb Turkey was a hit. Andy said the best thing about it was that the drippings used for the gravy made the gravy taste like bacon too. Oh so good!

I also had a good time decorating the table. I have had the china for awhile, and had used it before, but this year I was able to get some cheap white ceramic serving stuff. I got like 7 pieces for $30. PS the pitcher was not part of the deal, that was acquired at Target (have I mentioned how much I love Target??). I think the main favorite of the meal was the Raspberry Jello Salad and the Spinach Salad (recipes will be on my recipe blogs).

Our Happy and Hungry Bunch

The desserts did not turn out as fabulous as last year, although they couldn't have been too bad because Greg drank down the pumpkin mousse with a straw.

Dessert came after a rousing two games of bowling. Some families from church all got together for some really cheap bowling. This was Cole's (and Jack, he couldn't be left out) first time bowling. The ball may have moved slowly, but it got there eventually. Spencer and I bowled with them on the bumper side, and all I have to say is that it is a good thing we had bumpers. The other adults did pretty well. Andy did smoke us all though.

We all went shopping the next day and got some great deals. Mostly it was just great to spend some time with family. Andy's wife Melissa flew in that night, which added even more fun to the group. We had a great weekend of hanging out, and I am so grateful that they came up to see me. I definitely love having family come to see me. The whole weekend may have tuckered me out (see picture below), but I feel boring and lonely the minute they all leave.

I Heart Vampires

So first off thanks to my friend April's blog so that I could use this picture. I was being technically unsavy and I could not download any other picture. Second off, yes I have seen "the" movie!

I was lucky enough to go with a great group of women. We grabbed a bit to eat and then snuggled down excitedly in our chairs for the show we have been counting down forever. I will be honest in that I did not have high hopes for the movie. The trailers left something to be desired for me where Edward was concerned. FORTUNATELY, I was very pleasantly surprised. Setting aside some cheesy moments, a room full of teenage girls gasping and giggling, and two moments of creepy eyes by Edward, I REALLY enjoyed the movie.

I won't comment too much on the movie, because well that is just rude to those who haven't seen it yet...NATALIE and K (hah-hah). However, I will say that I would watch it again, and I could be accused of getting a little twitter-patted in the movie. SO, while nothing truly compares to the book, the movie was a really enjoyable "real-life" version.

Just in closing, I have to thank Amy for ending my night on a high note by making four of us rock simultaneously in her car in order to get it started. True friendship is when your friend asks you to rock back and forth in her car without explanation, you automatically do it without even thinking about how idiotic you might look! Good Times!

Did I Make It Obvious Enough???

Yes we are having our third little boy. Overall there is excitement in the family. Cole was visibly upset when the doctor pointed out the little boy part. I am not sure that he believed him. After making all his calls to grandparents he has embraced the idea of having another little brother. Jack doesn't care yet!

Thankfully this little man was very photogenic and cooperative and flashed the doctor like four times, so there was no mistaking he was a boy.

It has been a very good day, and I feel very blessed to being adding to our family. I am excited to be the mom of boys...handsome boys at that. Our wee one is "kicking" his agreement that I am lucky at this very moment.

Thank you for all of your excitement, and really besides missing out on buying a mass amount of girls clothes, I could not be happier!

Here is our first traditional "we just found out what we are having" purchase.

Boy or Girl?

Okay everyone the time is drawing closer to find out what this new (and most likely last) wee one will be.

Spencer got all technical and handy and put a poll on the website. He was pretty proud of himself, but I realized if I didn't post anything new people might not see his addition to our family blog. So to help him out here is a new post.

Feel free to "vote" and share your insight into the sex of this new baby. Cole insists it is a girl, and when he calls it a she and then I remind him it could be a he, he says, "for now, mom lets just say she". Child intuition or logic in thinking he already has a brother shouldn't he now get a sister?

T minus 3 days!

Crybaby

Okay, so before any of you can call me that, I will flat out say that I pretty much sounded like one in the last post. The sun shone a little brighter today, I snapped a few pictures, realized that I am being a big wah crybaby...so before any of you roll your eyes at seeing this picture and reading my lamenting words from yesterday...just know I roll my eyes at myself, AND I am pregnant, throw a girl a bone. So PROUDLY (not in the vain way, I am just trying to be positive), here is me at hey 19 weeks now! Love ya all for your pep talk, patience, and love.

18 Weeks...and counting

Okay so here is the prego update--

First off, I was going to include a picture, but on the days I felt half way decent about how I looked there was no time to take a picture (I know how vain!). I feel myself slipping into the slump of no return where my looks are concerned, so I decided to stop waiting for a prime opportunity to take a picture and just go forward with the 411.

So I am a little over 18 weeks pregnant. We will find out what the little guy...oh wait we don't know that for sure...is on November 18th. No I really haven't found out early, we are just projecting the most likely sex of this wee one. We are really excited about the new addition to the family.

The anticipated arrival is sometime the last week of March to April 2nd. I was induced with the other two a week early and anticipate the same. We have heard the heartbeat several times, which gives me a calming peace of mind.

SO that is the gist. I am doing pretty well now, the beginning was rough, but thanks for all my friends for not thinking I was too crazy out of my mind or out of it. We will keep everyone updated on the grand arrival. Oh and eventually there might be a photograph...I said might.

Da Nuh Nuh Nuh BATMAN...and Robin

Trick or treating was a blast. We went with some friends, which always fuels up the kids. Cole was ready to go from the beginning, Jack was not thrilled to put on his costume for the third time. So we had to let him pretend to drive the car (his big thing lately).

The weather was perfect. All of our kids were so cute. My friends' kids costumes were amazing. One was a hand sewn Jasmine costume, then we had princess Aurora, and leaving the most amusing for last, we had a baby Elvis, white bodysuit with gold sequins and everything. She was by far the hit of the neighborhood.

We had a really good time, and we already have the costume idea for next year...good times.

One holiday down, several more to go!

Hallowen Part 2

This Halloween was rocking with fun things to do...AND we aren't even going to do everything! This installment is for Cole's preschool party. All the kids were so cute! There were of course a couple princesses, one being Tiger Lily from Peter Pan. We had a giant pink poodle, so cute. AND we can't forget our superheros. Cole was so excited when Tanner showed up as a power ranger because the princesses didn't appreciate his rough play.

All the mom's pitched in, creating quite a cute party. We played game, had a craft, and had lunch. All the extra babies (our little kids) did not have such a great time, but they hung in there.

So, obviously there will be a Halloween part 3, so I won't take up more space for this. Here are some pictures.

Be Careful This Halloween

Halloween Part 1

Last night was the much awaited ward Trunk-or-Treat. Our ward hasn't done one in years, but thanks to the YW this year we got one. I have been so excited for this little activity. Both Cole and Jack have been talking about it for days. I have been waiting excitedly for the debut of their costumes, last night was the first time they both had them on at the same time. My Batman and Robin were pretty cute.

They enjoyed the little carnival games, Cole was even the first one to get a cupcake in the cupcake walk...I made him eat it while I held it because the frosting was yellow, and there was no way I was getting that costume dirty!

It was a little bitter out, but they still all bundled up and trunk-or-treated. I sat huddled in our undecorated drunk and dropped candy in bags. The boys made quite a haul, one down, one to go.

Not So Shabby Baby Mama

Thank you shabby apple for hearing the cry of the feminine! The dresses you offer really do speak to the dolled up woman in us all. The clothing site http://www.shabbyapple.com/ is currently giving those desperate to be dolled up a chance to be a fashionista stylist and put together a must have look, with the added bonus that if the outfit is spectacular enough AND our little bio to go with the outfit is creative enough...wait for it...we could then win the entire outfit! Did you just hear choirs sing too? What's not to lose...well there is the start to my story.

Nine months, plus some extra undisclosed amount of time, later, this baby mama has shed her pregnancy skin, but what a journey getting there...

She had watched her familiar figure become not so familiar as she got closer to welcoming a little bundle of joy. As she got more excited for the new baby, she pushed back the nagging feeling that her new found back fat and accompanying junk in the trunk might be there to stay. After all, that is not what matter's most, right?

Baby comes, AHH so sweet. Euphoria, tenderness, love, crying, kisses, baby clothes, still in maternity clothes, cuddling, sleeplessness, diaper bags, bags under your eyes, STILL in maternity clothes, diapers, oohs and ahhs, fuzzy onesies, live in PJS, baby powder, baby shampoo, no shower...and finally it all clicks.

She seems to get this new mom thing down. She now can juggle breastfeeding while organizing a get together and folding laundry. She has enough sleep to start working out again, and loves the feel of a good sweat...and okay saying goodbye to the back fat and the junk in the trunk. She is a champion diaper changer and can pack a diaper bag in under 1 minute. She seems to have taken care of all the needs of her family...oh wait, how is poor hubby?

AW, he looks a little tired too? He looks a little lonely and left out? Time for a plan, but what to do. Baby sneezes, oh know, hubby will have to wait. While baby mama is expertly checking out symptoms of her babies sniffles on Web MD her thoughts lead from an apple a day keeps the doctor away to a shabby apple intervention is just what the doctor ordered.

Shabby Apple, that's it. This baby mama is looking pretty and feeling pretty good, it is time for a night out with hubby. With several clicks of her mouse she has put together a perfect outfit for this not just baby mama, but hot mama. Not only will this dress make all the squats, lunges, and sit-ups worth it, but maybe it will help her sweet helpful, but still lonely hubby, know she, his adoring wife, now mother of his child, was never too far away. Watch out here she comes.

So nine months later, plus some undisclosed amount of time, later, this baby mama sheds her mama wear (yoga pants, tee, and sneakers) and puts on the dress of her dreams, accented by the perfect shoes and bag, OF COURSE, and viola...she is one hot mama and wife.

Crazy Eights

I normally don't do these because I don't even have enough time to post a normal post, but just for you Melissa, Here it is:

Eight Shows I like to Watch:

The Office
Bones
Biggest Loser
So You Think You Can Dance
What Not to Wear
Most anything on Food Network (except Semi Homemade)
Project Runway
Gilmore Girls reruns

Eight Restaurants I like to eat at:

PF Changs
Panera
Camille's
Red Robin
Johnny B's (Sandwich not diner)
Bennihana's
Kneaders
Any place that serves GOOD sandwiches

Eight things that I've Done today:

Worked out
Washed Dishes
Cleaned the Playroom (this should count for all 8 since I do it 100x a day)
Changed a diaper
Sewed the rest of boys Halloween Costume
Vacuumed
Put Boys down for Nap
Did a Little Happy Dance

Eight Things I am looking forward to:

Halloween and seeing my cute kids all dressed up
Thanksgiving and seeing family
CHRISTMAS
Getting to scrapbook again
Knowing what is going on with Spencer's j0b
Having this baby (did you catch that for those who didn't know???)
Being done with babysitting
A good nights sleep


Eight Things on my wish list:

Healthy Hubby and Kids
Funds to redo house (or hey get a new one)
To see my family
To not balloon up in my pregnancy
Stacy and Clinton to redo my wardrobe
A vaca with my hubby
A giant family trip to Disneyland
A bigger family car

Eight people to tag: (Sorry ahead of time)

Tara
Mindy
Nyree
Melanie
Jenny
Amy
K
Mom

Our Past Week of Autumn

Leading up to the bday event we had quite a few fun fall days. On Thursday we went to the pumpkin patch with Cole's preschool group. We had a great time. It was wonderfully chilly, I loved it...except for the fact that I only wore a sweater, my bad. Overall the day was marvelous, we only had one mishap when Cole lost one of his brand new shoes in a deep pile of hay at the end of a slide. If it weren't for a sweet lady helping me, that shoe might be lost to us forever, OR a couple of random kids might have been yelled at (these were kids that kept barreling down the slide while I was at the bottom looking for the shoe. They would ask what I was looking for and then climb back up to the top and shoot right back down. Lovely!).

Cole's Class

Cole on the Wagon Ride

Cole GQ'n it

Jack not enjoying the Hay Barn

Happier Now

Friday I had a day off from babysitting, so Spencer decided to take the day off as well so that we could have a family day. We decided to drive a little south to the Hocking Hills area and go hiking. It is a beautiful area, and even more beautiful in the fall. The boys had a great time, and we had a great time watching them enjoy themselves. It was a special treat to get to have a family day in the work week. The boys loved the time with dad. We went on a couple of different hikes. Cole insisted on having a walking stick, even though it was bigger than he was. One of the hikes ends in a big pond area and the boys spent quite a bit of time throwing rocks in. Dad was the main attraction with his ability to skip the rocks. I came in a close second when I was willing to dig up bigger rocks so that they could heave them in. It was a great day.

Hocking Hills

The Boys

Mom and Cole in a Cave

Jack Resting

Cole Throwing Rock In