A few of my favorite things

These are a few of my favorite things

sitting by our Christmas tree repeatedly looking over all the ornaments that make us smile

grimy little fingers and not so perfect gingerbread houses

my sweet lil Carter playing in the snow

sipping/selling cocoa out of his playgym fort

curling up on the air mattress with my two favorite guys in the world for Christmas Movie Night and camping out by the tree!

and celebrating this special special day with those we love!

Hope you all have a Christmas full of your favorite things!

Do you hear what I hear?

Few things in life can melt a momma's heart like watching your son parade in through church doors, take a seat up by the alter and sing at the top of his little lungs in a voice that brings tears to your eyes. (even if the girl next to him completely sang over him the entire time) Carter was so excited for his Christmas Program and once he realized that we were front row right in front of him he was all smiles and just kept waving and giving us the thumbs up! And the music, well it was 19 preschoolers all singing in their own time, and it was simply beautiful!

Happy Happy Birthday

to me to me to me!!

Wow, who knew that turning the BIG 30 would be so nice! Matt planned a very special birthday dinner for me and our entire family downtown at Harry and Izzy's. And it was absolutely wonderful! The food was ummm, amazing, the drinks were yummy and the company could not have been better. Then we all headed back to our house so the kids could play and we could all chit chat a while. I was so happy that everybody could make it to help me celebrate!

A visit with Santa

Preparing our hearts and our home

Well, by now, the lights have been hung, the tree has been lit and the feeling of Christmas is all around. This year we promised to do more, spend less, and enjoy all the moments that make us smile!

Above, you can see that Carter is all smiles as he decorates his very tree! It is just darling with pinks, purples, blues and lime greens and full of little sweet shop ornaments. He absolutely loves all the colored lights which differs slightly from the all white light tree in the living room. This year Carter was insistent that an angel be placed on top of the tree in the living room. He has been completely intrigued by the story of Christmas and feels that an angel is most fitting...he is just too smart for only being 3.

We love using our annual Indianapolis Zoo membership as much as possible and one of our favorite times to use it is now. The Zoo is decorated with millions of lights, figurines and trees. They even bring in one very special Christmas helper...a reindeer. Carter was too funny this year as he went from tree to tree and figurine to figurine posing at every one for a picture...we finally had to cut him off he was stopping so much!

And as always we celebrate the season with a baking day at mom and dads. You should see some of the cookies...the kids did an absolutely amazing job decorating!

When it is 72 in November

you throw on a little sweater and you head outdoors! Today we went to the Indianapolis Zoo with Auntie Holly, Keaton and lil Miss Kenley! And although we saw tons of animals, all eating and playing and roaming around since it was nice, my very favorite part was seeing all the smiles we got out of the little guys. They were just having the time of their lives running around and being boys!

All aboard the Indianapolis Zoo Train!

Really, wow....I just cannot believe that he is nearly four!

Don't be a Scaredy Cat

It is just the Cat in the Hat!!

I usually try to make Carters Halloween costumes but this year when he told me that he wanted to be Cat in the Hat, I have to admit that I was immediately a little overwhelmed. So I headed out to the store to find a store bought costume only to hear Carter completely disappointed say,"No, mom. I want it to be fluffy". So with that said I headed to JoAnns in hunt of the fluffiest fabric I could fine. Then without a pattern, a little luck, and a little boy patiently waiting, I cut, and sewed, and ripped a couple seams(more than once) and sewed some more just so he could be the fluffiest Cat in the Hat. And it was cute!!

Below we were at Auntie Holly and Uncle Justin's Halloween Party....just one week after the birth of their 3rd baby lil Miss Kenley! I cannot believe they still hosted their annual party but they did and as always it was a good time. The kids played in the leaves, ran around outside, went on a tractor wagon ride and ate more cupcakes and candy than ever!

Then of course on Sunday it was off to go Trick - or- Treating....but after having his costume on 4 days in a row our little Cat in the Hat refused to paint his face for the big day! Oh well, it was still cute and he had a blast running from house to house!

Above Carter Trick-or-Treats at his favorite neighbor Brandon's house! Brandon has a dog and a few nephews that are Carters age so he just thinks that Brandon is the coolest guy ever...and it probably helps that his wife Amanda is very beautiful!

Our super scary pumpkins...Skeleton (Matts), smiley face (Carter) and the witch, well I am sure I do not have to tell you but yes it is mine!