Ho, Ho, Ho!

Tonight we began decorating for Christmas.  A few things were new this year.  First, Sam and I received a lot of "help" from Cohen.  This led to the second change--a total redesign of the tree.  We quickly realized that any ornaments within Cohen's reach would most likely not survive the season.  The kid just can't help himself!     

Cohen was just a "little" excited about the train.  I wonder if he remembers it from last year.

Cohen got his very own tree to decorate.

"Hmm, where should I put this one?"  (notice where all others ended up)  

Finally, someone was around to catch my little helper in action!

When I was growing up, the first decoration to go up was a kid-friendly nativity.  I LOVED it and looked forward to playing with it all year long.  I've been looking for one like it for years, but I haven't found anything close.  I am determined to find something this year because our ceramic one just isn't going to cut it.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with Sam's family at his sister's new house. We arrived to their small town after dark, and when we got Cohen out of the car he looked up into the night sky and said, "Wow!" The sky was ablaze with stars! Cohen's attention quickly turned to the colorful lights strung across the front porch. He pointed and let out another enthusiastic, "Wow!" Then we went inside to find a Christmas wonderland! Lights, music, bells and a warm crackling fire. 

 

Our nephew/cousin Rio showing Cohen the bell elves. 

We enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal complete with Sam's family's traditional noodle gravy. Yes, I know that sounds like an easy way to ruin the meal, but believe me, it is YUMMY! 

It was FREEZING but that didn't stop us from going sledding a few of times. Cohen looked like the Michelin Man in his snow gear.

Sam's sister Adrianne and me relaxing on the couch. Cohen was so busy playing with his cousins that I read an entire book!

What a lovely Thanksgiving weekend! THANK YOU to Marci and her family for your hospitality. We love your new home!

#1 Man

This morning I slept in! Even better, I awoke to find this on the kitchen island along with two pie crusts resting in the fridge. 

 

I wasn't sure where my two favorite people were, though. I thought maybe they were outside shoveling the snow that fell overnight so I peeked out the front door and found these darling footprints on the porch.

I was so glad I got to see these before they were shoveled away forever. 

Turns out they were at the store buying more pie supplies. How lucky I am to have a husband who gets up with our one-year-old so that I can sleep in AND starts making the Thanksgiving pies!

We are headed out in a couple of hours to spend Thanksgiving at Sam's sister's. We're bringing the pies and a couple of sleds.

Leaves

I love living in a place with four distinct seasons. I'm always excited for each season to begin. Fall is well underway and I'm enjoying every second. I love the warm rich colors, the home-grown produce in my garden, front porches lined with bright orange pumpkins, the crisp cool mornings and sunny afternoons, and wearing cozy sweaters and wool socks. I even like raking up leaves, especially when Sam and Cohen are there to help (or do it for me while I take pictures). 

My two favorites working hard in our back yard.

Cohen helping Great-Grandma A during our monthly family night at her house.

Self Photography

Ever since Sam and I took our engagement photos, we've somehow managed to be our own photographers.  (I'll be honest--usually Sam's the one with the camera.)  So with the holidays coming up and the leaves in our back yard at their peak fall colors, we got out the camera and tied Cohen's toy Cookie Monster to the tripod. 

Sometimes as a parent you have to decide between stopping your kid from doing something gross,  or getting something really funny on camera--we chose the latter.  Here Cohen is discovering a snail shell.  Of course we knew where this might go ... 

Here he is after tasting the shell.  Luckily he didn't like it, and luckily we got this picture!  

My two favorite guys!

My cute family in lighting that wasn't cooperating.

I LOVE this smile!

Handsom Hubby!

Cohen letting us know he was finished with the photo shoot.  He left Cookie Monster to fend for himself!

I think we finally got one good enough for our Christmas card, but I think next year we may hire a photographers other than ourselves--it's a bit more challenging with a kid running around!

First Haircut

I've been trying to get Sam to let me cut his hair for years.  He has the greatest hair ever, and I must admit I was a little scared I'd totally screw it up, but I still wanted to give it a try.  He FINALLY let me. 

Holy Shmoley!  Look at all that hair!

The result.

Sam says he likes it, but I don't think I'll know how he really feels until the time comes for his next haircut.  We'll see whether or not he asks me to take care of it.