It's Lookin' Like Christmas Around Here!

Charlie Brown Christmas tree in bonus room

Hummel Nativity

Dining room tree

Our Big Tree

Home Sweet Home

Cool Nativity from Mexico

Thanksgiving 2009

Caleb with Natalee

Carah with Natalee

Holiday in the Hood: Christmas Spectacular!

On the way to Danny's parents' house we got to eat dinner with friends from Auburn! We spent most of Thanksgiving at Danny's parents house. We got to see a lot of family and eat a lot of good food! Instead of getting up at the crack of dawn to go shopping, we headed home to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for my parents. Now on to Christmas decorating!

Carah's Thanksgiving Program

Carah and her friend Kelly (they have been in 1st and 2nd grades together!)

At Carah's school the 3rd grade did a little Thanksgiving program this week. They sang songs to remind us to be thankful for all we have. It was really cute. Carah dressed as a little Pilgrim girl and had a line in the program. She said, "He taught them to plant corn and other crops." referring to Squanto. It was a very entertaining and educational program.

Cate's Birthday Celebration (Early)

Today we celebrated Cate's birthday. I know, it's not in November. But when you have a December birthday you have to be flexible! She requested cookies with C's on them and orange and grape drinks. At the last minute she also requested (ok, demanded!) a birthday crown. A little friend at school had her birthday celebration last week and she had one.

Cate was thrilled to be able to hand out the cookies and Capri-S*ns. For some reason that was her favorite part of today! Her class sang Happy Birthday to her as well.

The picture below is of the girls watching a movie this afternoon. So sweet!

Halloween 2009

Tonight we went to our church's Harvest Festival. Thank goodness it stopped raining! It got pretty cold, though! Carah dressed as a hippie, complete with white patent leather platform go-go boots. She walked around in them for about 30-40 minutes before she swapped for her crocs! Cate dressed as a rock star with pink hair! Caleb dressed as Aubie, the Auburn mascot. He was so cute, but refused to wear his tiger hood. Oh, well!

I brought his wagon for him to ride in but he wound up pulling it the whole night. He eventually caught on about how to trick or treat. Who knows how many suckers he ate?! At one point during the evening he and I gave out candy from a friend's trunk. He was so sweet handing out candy to trick or treaters.

We left pretty early in order to get baths and wash all the pink hairspray out of the girls' hair!

Cate's First Field Trip

Today all the kindergarten classes went to Owen Farm on a field trip. It was chilly and overcast but it didn't rain (at least until we were leaving!). Cate had such a good time with her friends. First we found our way through the corn maze. Next we learned interesting facts about cows, sheep, bees and chickens. Then we got to see some farm animals like pigs, calfs, a donkey, chickens and goats. After that we went on a hayride. The views were so beautiful with the leaves changing colors and the valley with a river running through it. When we got back from the hayride we ate lunch and then let the children play on the huge slide and playground. The teachers decided since it was so cold we would head back to the school a bit early, which was fine with me! All in all it was a really fun day!

Circus Time

Caleb wearing the ringmaster's hat

Look out Charlie! We're riding on the MTA!

Carah with Tom the Head Clown


Popping bubbles with Tom the Clown

Cate watching the circus waving her wand

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus!

Ball of Death - At one point there were 7 motorcycles inside! Very Scary!

Our Family (with 2 clowns!)

Grandpa & Grammy with Caleb & 2 clowns!

While we were in Boston we went to see the circus. It was such a fabulous show! We took the MTA into the city which the children loved and ate at a delicious Italian restaurant in the North End. Then we got to the circus early for the pre-show. A lot of things to see! We had really great seats and it paid off during the tiger's performance. The Head Clown, Tom, came over and asked Carah if she were shy and started talking to her. He asked Danny & I if she could come with him and perform in a trick with him. WOW! The next thing we know she is out in the ring with Tom following him around and popping bubbles. She did great! She said later than she wasn't nervous at all and wanted to join the circus when she grows up! I don't think they teach that at Auburn (but maybe she can go to Alabama to learn to be a clown!). Caleb enjoyed the show as did Cate. They both just sat and watched, mesmerized! We all had such a wonderful time at the circus!

Playtime at Grandpa & Grammy's House

The children love playing at Grandpa & Grammy's house! They have a lot of toys and a fun place to ride bikes. Grammy started to teach Carah to type, which she loved! Cate enjoyed the Gabriella from HSM dress-up clothes and practically lived in them! Caleb (of course) wanted to play outside all the time so G & G took them to a local park. We had such a wonderful visit!

Trip to the Farm

While we were in Boston visiting Grandpa & Grammy during fall break, we took a trip to Davis Farmland http://www.davisfarmland.com. We try to go every time we travel to Boston. There are lots of farm animals to pet and some rare animals to look at. The girls always love to ride the ponies, but Caleb didn't want to! He did pet the bunnies, much to our amazement!

This year Carah found a racetrack with 4-wheeled bikes! The girls loved this and can't wait to come back next time! Caleb enjoyed riding the ancient John Deere tractor, though it's partially buried for safety!

Keeping up with Caleb

Caleb certainly keeps up busy! He's been getting into things around the house more and becoming more independent. A week ago he got into my make-up and actually applied some! He loves playing outside and has figured out how to climb up and slide by himself! He's very friendly and makes a friend wherever he goes!