Lotsa Loot!

Brody came down the stairs screeching "Holy Cow!"
And a new record of present opening -keep in mind this is only Santa and our family gifts - only 1.5 hours!

And we enjoyed a nicemeal, too.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

And all through the house, all the creatures were stirring. This was the closest attempt at an obligatory Christmas PJ pic - ended up in a wrestling match.

I wonder if Santa will miss this ornament?

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Children nestled all snug in their beds, with visions of sugarplums (and Lightning McQueen) filling their heads.

Heartwarmers

horsie rides - double!

our christmas lights on a snowy eve

bed buddies

free advertising for dad!

A litte more Christmas

The boys also each have their own little tree in their bedrooms. Logan sings to his as I change his diaper. We have the Rudolph ornament collection on his tree, so he is inspired to sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Brody's tree below, topped with his Polar Express ornament.

Mr. Cool, Playdate fun, and Clean up

This doesn't often happen so early in our winters, but here in Maine it is below zero by .9, before any wind chill is factored in.

Logan is intrigued by glasses, perhaps because big bro wears his all day.

We had some friends over to play yesterday, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the fun. Logan immediately crashed hard, snoring just moments into his nap, plum tuckered out.

Before our friends arrived, I was doing some last minute toy collecting. Brody was so very excited, because he helped to pick up his toys without me even asking, as he said. This pic is mid happy dance. Notice a clean rug to the left - this rarely happens. Duane and I are forever swimming through a sea of toys on this rug, and we actually do have a playroom downstairs!

Brody's photo shoot

Brody just looked so darling this morning in his turtleneck, I had to capture it on film.

He must be working really hard to be on that NICE list. When I asked him to tell me his favorite thing (tocapture a more genuine smile), he said , "You." God I love him so.

And Logan was equally adorable, but a little more rumpled.

Deck the halls

Well, I like to think we are finally done festooning our home with Christmas cheer. I'm sure there must be room for more greenery, but I haven't found it.

My husband discovered a new side of himself this season - a Christmas village addict, especially with those crazy after-Thanksgiving sales.

Our music/sitting room tree

The big one downstairs...at least 12 feet of yuletide.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The first snow in December is always so magical - Maine truly is the place to be this time of year (says a flatlander). We all enjoyed our several inches of snow yesterday.
The snowmade the slide super slippery, which the boys loved.

Brody was all about the snow angels

We brought out the sled a little early (it was going to be a Christmas gift)

Climbing Mt Everest with our faithful pup, Maggie.

Ho-ho-ho

We enjoyed a wonderful week of Thanksgiving while my Mom visited as well - our first Thanksgiving together in nearly 10 years, I think. The boys really enjoyed having her, and I was immensely grateful for her help throughout Turkey prep, Santa visits. We also sneaked in some professional pictures.

We enjoyed a wonderful week of Thanksgiving while my Mom visited as well - our first Thanksgiving together in nearly 10 years, I think. The boys really enjoyed having her, and I was immensely grateful for her help throughout Turkey prep, Santa visits. We also sneaked in some professional pictures.

Snug as bugs

Logan called me into our sittingroom/playroom while I was cooking dinner. "Mommy, Brody I sit." And this was the site that greeted me.

Marshmellow Monologue

On the way home from preschool, Brody asked if we could get some marshmellows. The conversation wentsomething like this:

"Mommy, can we get some marshmellows?"

"Sure, honey. Do you want to roast some?"

"Yes. But first daddy needs to get some blue fire from the stove and put it on a plate. Then he needs to take the plate outside and put it on the ground and get lots of logs to make a big, huge fire."

There was more talk of marshmellow size and who gets what, but this was too endearing to keep to myself.

First Snow 2009-10

Yesterday was the beginning of our first snow of the winter - not much, just an inch or so, but enough to look pretty this morning.

Brody is trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue here.

Logan was more interested in pushing the trike around.

The view outside this morning.

Had to share one of Brody's compassionate moments. Logan has had a really rough week - he was really frightened of our own house Halloween night, and is having lots of trouble sleeping, and as a result, is really grumpy all of the time. At the point of this picture, Logan had lost it again, and Brody just stroked his cheek, murmuring, "It's okay, Bubba." I wish I had half that tenderness this week.

Halloween 2009

We had a wonderful Halloween evening. Brody really enjoyed saying "trick-or-treat" at each house, and seemed just in awe of the stash of candy he came home with. And Logan even tolerated his costume the entire night, much to my surprise.

Brody decided I needed to be Spidergirl - thanks to Jim for his last-minute artistry in spider rendering.


We began our evening at our local library, where volunteers hosted an evening of book reading followed by a dance for kids. Of course, Brody immediately boogied down.

Brody beamed with joy (and chocolate) over his treasure trove of candy.

Logan counted his treasures to make sure none were lost.

Brody brought creepy cupcakes to school to share with friends.

We hope everyone's Halloween was a sweet as ours!