Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

We got our Christmas tree last Sunday, a whole family deal. The kids and I spent last Friday rearranging the furniture in the living room and sprucing up the house in preparation for the bringing out of the box o'Christmas stuff. Andy put up the lights, the kids decorated and I hung the few fragile "mom only" decorations.

Ever since the tree has gone up, Landon has been obsessed. He spends at least 1/2 of his day camped out right next to it, staring at it, trying not to touch the ornaments (usually failing at that one, but they are kid friendly at his level). He's also insisted on us making a "spot" for him each night at the base of the tree with blankets and pillows. It's here that we've read our bedtime stories, sang songs, and eventually fallen asleep.

I can't quite explain how peaceful it is to fall asleep with a kid tucked under your arm looking at soft lights in the dark. I get why he finds it so magical. Heck, if it brings me that much emotion at my age, imagine what all of that at 3, so unjaded and inexperienced, must be like.

Pictures of Winter

Yes, I know that it will not officially be winter for another few days. Just try telling that to the snow that has steadily been piling up since 10am this morning, or the bitter cold 9 degrees last night.

I managed to get another memory stick for the camera, so here are pics of last night and tonight, celebrating and embracing the cold.

A soup and bread combo to die for...

A very proud chef (and he had every right, best dinner for a cold night)

Cookies for D's school Holiday Party tomorrow (60 molasses cookies in total). All except that giant one at the end. That one was mine!

Boys on their way to the park to enjoy the snow (while mom and A baked and D did homework)

A New Group

Last night brought me back to high school all over again. The nerves of meeting up with people that I had never seen before hit like a ton of bricks! I recently found a local group of knitters that meet weekly and was invited to join them. I jumped at the chance to get out of the house on a regular basis and do something that I enjoy so much. Plus, the added value of meeting new people (good for me, no matter how painful at first) and having multiple live knitting resources, made it a done deal.

What I found was a very fun, welcoming group of women who I think I will really enjoy chatting with as often as I can! The nerves dissipated as the evening went on and by the time I left I was sure that I would be back for more. So that is something new and exciting (and just for me)!

As far as progress goes, I've finished up two more projects and can breathe a sigh of relief over having them done. However, I've still got several more to go. As we get closer to the holidays, I'll be posting less details about them as their intended recipients might very well be reading.

The kids are great, we just got D's report card and she is doing well! Christmas break is right around the corner and she is really excited about that. I think that we are planning on getting a tree this coming Saturday, and I found my camera cord. So new pics to come soon.

Same Old Same Old

Nothing new to report really. Things have been their usual nutty and wonderful way around here this past week. I have found my groove again with knitting and been hitting it full stride for the past few days. Been able to finish up that first pair of socks for she who cannot be named, finished a hat that started out for the man but ended up too small and will be a Christmas present for the L boy.

I need new knitting needles to complete two of my projects (and more in the future) so that needs to happen fast. I'm almost done with A's hat for Christmas and I am really pleased with how the yarn is working up. After that is done, I only have about 4.5 more projects to complete. Easy peasy right?! (gulp) At least there are days left in the teens. Going to try to knock out a project every other day and work on an additional one in between (if that makes any sense).

Oh, on a sad front. The wee ones shoved the camera memory card wayyyyy far in to the computer (my fault for leaving it within arms reach totally). So I have to dig out the cord that will let me load directly from my camera's internal memory before I can post any more pics. I hope to have that found today so that we can get some new ones up.

A Blog Neglected (Thanksgiving and a birthday)

Whoa it's been a while. To say that we've been busy would be an understatement. We took on the oh so very long drive to and from Houston, TX for Thanksgiving and made the round trip plus visit in just over a week. It was an awesome time, we visited with my mother in-law's family who lives down there and had a week-long party with 16 of us in total. The anticipation of the trip is always huge, especially since we don't live minutes away from them any more and we know it's an every other year thing. There is always game playing, lots of people (and dogs this year) for the kids to play with, and good grown-up conversation for the husband and I.

This year his cousin and cousin's wife hosted in their new house which was great! It was definitely a new spin on the holiday (usually hosted at his other aunt's house) and I think everyone really had a good time. Along with the mass of people there were 4 dogs which meant that the kids were in heaven. L made a new best friend with Hank the Weimaraner who also became the personal guard dog for Miss A. It was really too cute to watch.

Here are a few pics from the dinner, including me carving my feast of Tofurky. Miss A really liked it too which made me happy, and it was an awesome and huge meal for everyone. D made green beans wrapped in bacon and set the table, both were a hit!

Additionally, yesterday was my (gulp) 29th birthday. Just one year away from being completely out of my 20's, a thought that scares and intrigues me all at the same time. My mother in-law joked that this would be the age I forever say that I am and I like that idea! Hubby took me out yarn shopping (oh the yarn goodness) and then to dinner and a movie. We saw Twilight which was eh, just okay. The lead vampire was worth watching for hotness factor alone, but it was clearly geared more towards the teen crowd. That said, having a date night where we did not have to worry about the kids, and watching ANY movie, was completely awesome.

Christmas projects are coming along nicely despite not knitting one bit during our trip. More soon!