It's Christmas Tree Time!!!!

We headed back the Coop this year for our Christmas tree. We always have good luck there and the trees are beautiful. We decided to pick out a smaller tree this year and put on a table so we could use our Christmas train - like we did in Little Rock. Rachel didn't remember the train and Kate hadn't ever seen it, so they were thrilled with I set it up. Noah was just as happy to have the train back as well. It didn't take us too long to pick the perfect tree and it was a good thing too, because it was freezing! Doug tied the tree to the roof and we headed home. We were meeting Grammy and Papa for dinner to celebrate Doug's birthday, so we had to wait to decorate the tree, but I got the lights and ribbons on so the kids could start putting the ornaments on tomorrow. :)

Letters To Santa 2011

The kids wrote their letters to Santa tonight - So cute! This is one of my favorite traditions! I love to see what they think up for their wish list and also I love, love, love to see it all written out in their handwriting (and how it changes each year as they grow!). Noah knew exactly what he wanted (as always) and set quickly to work on his letter. Rachel knew right away what her top requests were, but then had to think a bit for the rest of her letter. Kate was quick to tell me that she wanted Santa to bring her some "Can-knee" (candy), an "ah-pun-zal" doll (Rapunzel doll), a doggy and a robe. She was so proud of her letter to Santa. She has also decided that she does like Santa and she is going to smile and be happy when she goes to see him. (We'll see!). They all did a great job with their letters and when they were finished and I had gotten my pictures taken, Rachel folded them all and sealed them up in their envelope for us to mail out tomorrow.

Conversation With Kate:

Conversation with Kate today -

Kate: "Why you doing that, Mom?" ... as I was putting up Christmas decorations.
Me: "Because Santa Claus is coming."
Kate: "I don't like him."
... Me: "Really? He brings children toys at Christmas time."
Kate: "I have blocks to make a tower with and babies to love. I don't like him."
Me: "Okay."
I'm wondering if she is recalling her Santa experience from last year.... lol

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a nice Thanksgiving this year spent with all of our family. We started our day at Mom's for the Thanksgiving meal around noon. It was delicious and we got to share it with Mom, Chris' family, Amie and her kids, Uncle Brian and Mom. We all ate too much and then enjoyed just being with each other. The kids ran around screaming, laughing and playing (as usual). All just happy to be together again. I still love how they can go months without seeing each other and then play together like it was just yesterday that they were here...
Around 2 we headed over to Doug's parents house to hang out with Grammy and Papa, Uncle Donny and his family. The kids mesh just as well over there and they run and play just as hard. It was a relaxing and happy day. Rachel shot baskets with Papa and even tried learning to ride a 2 wheel bike - it won't be long before she's scooting along all by herself on 2 wheels. :) Kate tried the 'big girl' bike and decided she still loved the tricycle and little car. Noah loved playing guns with the boys and had a blast as usual. Doug had to go to work around 4 and I had promised Amie some time in the evening, so we headed back over to Mom's when Doug had to go to work. It was a very nice day spent with the people we love. I hope everyone had a Thanksgiving just as blessed as ours was! We do have so much to be thankful for.