And the countdown begins!

How can you not get overly excited about Christmas when you have little ones running around? They can't wait and have marked their wish lists through the dozen toy magazines we have gotten in the mail. They each sit down and circle their favorite toys so we can send them back to Santa. I can't wait either. Christmas makes me smile and for one time of the year, it's okay to be sentimental. I seem to be that way every day so I love that others are joining in too!

Raef insisted on putting the star on the top of the tree. He was smiling the whole time.

We loaded up and went to get the Christmas tree right before Thanksgiving again this year to beat the crowds. I remembered quickly why I love Christmas so much as I watched my little boys stare in amazement at all of the Christmas decorations and lights. There really is something magical about this time of year.

Trick or Treat

Halloween finally made it here and we had a magical night! It was one of those nights we put on the "priceless day" list. It was perfect. We rode the train in the day and the boys loved it. Then we all had a long nap and woke up ready to get dressed and head out. We went to a party composed of kids that were almost all the same age. The boys couldn't wait. They had pizza, movies and games and then went out trick or treating for probably almost 2 hours. They slept good that night. Raef kept saying, "mom, this is the best Halloween ever!"

It's tradition isn't it? The counting of the loot! The boys had to dump it out and see what treasures they got while dentist dad snuck some candy out and away to the garbage. I don't think they even noticed. Then they ate a few pieces and off to bed they went! Exhausted!

The boys were so excited they could hardly stand it. Ryan didn't have a clue what the excitement was all about but he understood enough to get into it. He knew treats were coming although he didn't understand where from or why.

Visit from Gammy and Doug

Gammy and Doug came and spent about 5 days with us and had a great time. The weather wasn't great but we definitely made the best of it. They watched the boys while I worked on Friday and took them to the dinosaur museum which was a big hit. We went to Boo at the Zoo, Amish country, Patterson's Fruit Farm, the mystery dinner downtown, Cuyahoga train, and had some delicious food that I prepared none of which. It was fantastic. They said they tried to give us a break by being here since we couldn't go there and I do believe they succeeded!

Mom was laughing harder than the boys on this ride because Doug was not going the legal speed limit. He was flying and she didn't have a chance of keeping up! It seems that Doug was laughing pretty hard too though.

Congrats Dad!

Dad tied the knot on October 4th in Montana. I flew out there by myself(yahoo) and spent a few days with everyone. The wedding was beautiful and Dad was smiling ear to ear. He had one of those smiles that spreads from ear to ear and even if you tried to, you couldn't help but smile! I even managed to gain two more sisters!

I got to spend some time with Dad the night before the wedding and listened to him play his guitar. He was working on a song to sing to his new bride the next morning and I absolutely loved that time with him. Dad can sing. That's the best way to put it. His song was beautiful and this picture captures a moment I will never forget. Listening to Dad play and sing brings me back 20 years and I rememeber loving hearing him play then. Love you Dad!

New bikes!

Gammy and Doug bought these early Christmas presents for the boys and we have never gotten so much use out of an outdoor toy. They absolutely love these bikes. There are no pedals so as to teach the boys to balance first and then go straight to a big boy bike without training wheels. Ryan was a bit hesitant at first but now puts his legs up also and they glide down huge hills, scaring us half to death but they love every minute of it. Thanks Gammy and Doug!!!

We have been really fortunate to continue to have some warm sunny days and we are taking full advantage of them. I am kicking the boys outside every five minutes because I know that pretty soon, they will be stuck inside and we will all be wanting out!