Bass Pro Christmas

We had our first snow fall of the year this week so we have been feeling a lot like Christmas.

I have started decorating the house (tree is up -- fake this year) and we took our first Christmas outing to Bass Pro Shops to make a craft, see the fish, and see what activities they had for the

Chirstmas season. 

Daniel "driving" a really cool four-wheeler.

Abby on the deer, moose, and bear carousel.

This was about as we expected.  Daniel has never liked Santa and Abby doesn't let anyone but Mommy hold her so we didn't think it would go over too well.  We thought we'd give it a try anyhow and it is a great memory!

Black Friday

 

Avoiding stores and crazy Black Friday shoppers, we took a stroll around the Children's Lake.  We had saved bread pieces for a month so that we would have a lot to feed the ducks and they appreciated it!  Daniel "rode" his bike a bit but is too afraid of falling (which he has never done) so Jason has to pull him along, to help keep up the pace, and hold onto the bike if there are any turns or bumps.  He was very upset that we didn't bring his helmet and mentioned its absence several times.  Abby made friends with a giant Bernese Mountain Dog, and made sure we knew that we were feeding "ducks".  (She points to them over and over again and says "duck" which is one of her few words.)

 

While Abby and I were playing with the dog, Daniel collected sticks to throw in the pond and then climbed trees. I love getting them out of the house and letting Daniel be a boy. He handles himself much better after a good bout of fresh air and exercise. 

 

 

Thanksgiving Day

Oh how many things we have to be thankful for.  The Lord has blessed us in so many ways with an amazing family, beautiful, healthy children, a house full of potential, and a loving marriage.  Every morning this week at the breakfast table, I asked Daniel to tell me something he is thankful for.  He mentioned Roxy, food, pictures, our house, Mom, Dad, Abigail, and family - in that order!  I am so thankful for my amazing little man.

 

Helping Jason put some primer on the repaired walls. He loves to "work".

Playing at Grandpops' and Grandmas' house on Thanksgiving Day.

Jason and I discussed wanting to be with my cousins for Thanksgiving so my parents decided to invite an extended-family-less young family with three young boys for dinner.  Dinner was wonderful and the boys were boys!  They tore up the playroom leaving nothing unturned and literaly bounced off the walls.  When allowed, Abby tried to get in on the fun too. My dad sat and watched them with a twinkle in his eye and didn't even complain about the mess (which Jason and Westin cleaned up). 

Watching a Christmas movie after Thanksgiving Dinner.  The only way we could calm them down! They had a blast.

Beautiful Late Autumn Afternoon

Today was perhaps one of the last remaining autumn days warm enough to play outside.  Both kids played on the swings and slide and dug in the dirt!  Daniel would hold Abby on his lap and they would slide down the slide together with peels of laughter! 

 

Daniel has developed a love for tree climbing and the little red maple in our front yard

 is perfect for him to climb.

More Daniel Photographs

I can't help but post these, I love how he is inventorying his toys and, it would appear, his toes. 

 

 

Daring Dragons

Daniel is taking "martial arts" through our township's park and rec.  Tae Kwon Do is a bit advanced for three and four year olds but it sure is fun for the parents to watch.  Daniel is one of two 3 year olds in the class and is possibly the least able to follow directions.  Things like relay races, suicides, punching, and "stances" are totally new to Daniel but he tries and is having a great time.

The thing he needs to figure out first is how to contain his excitement so he can follow directions - just watch and you'll see what I mean:

Homecoming

This past week Jason was gone for seven straight days, was home for one, then gone again for another two.  When he came home the first time, Daniel didn't even want to look at him for several hours and would cry if Jason entered the room.  His second homecoming was much sweeter.  We were all were super excited to have Daddy home and this time everyone was full of smiles.

Good Ol' Forts

When Daddy is away for days at a time I try to come up with inventive ways to keep my little ones from getting bored - leading to my wanting to run away. This week we tried several new pillow arrangements and this fort seemed to be the biggest hit. Daniel loved hidding inside and Abby liked playing peek a boo with the blanket.

Tiny Dancers

Abigail loves to dance.  She particularly enjoys rockin' out to the Lightening McQueen drum and knows which buttons to push to get the music she wants.  Her dance progresses weekly and seems to just get cuter. We could all sit around and watch her do this for hours I think.

This one was taken during our regular family dance party about two weeks later.  

 

 

Daniel's dancing is a bit more "boyish" but it cracks me up too, espically when he increases the music's tempo and just, well, does this:

 

 

Budding Photographer

Look how cute he can be when he wants to have his picture taken.

Daniel keeps asking to take pictures too so I thought I would post some of his photographs for him:



One of his first, from a week or so ago. I think it supposed to be a picture of a duck.

While we were trying to take pictures of the kids in their costumes.  (Not bad other than the blur from not holding the camera still.)

Mommy and Abby

His best one to date! It is actually quite impressive that he managed to center her so well - especially considering the job he did on the others!

Trick or Treat

Abigail and I got to go Trick or Treating with Daniel and Jason this year.  Since we live on such an isolated street we don't get any trick or treaters, so we all got to go door to door. The evening was pretty chilly and the kids were exhausted from not napping well during the day.  We only made it to our neighbors houses this year (about 15 minutes and 7 houses).  It was enough though.  Since Daniel was the only trick or treater, the neighbors loaded him up with candy and his bag was pretty well filled.

Maybe next year we will venture down another street and try for thirty minute!

Had to show a picture with the silly hat!