Early December

The first part of December was a delightful celebration of advent.  It was really fun to have a kid old enough to understand just a little bit what a holiday was, and that it was Jesus' birthday, and why we give gifts. 

Andrew didn't totally understand the gift giving thing, though.  After Daddy took him out shopping one morning, he returned home after a strict discussion that gifts should be a surprise, and announced to me "Mama, we bought you candles!"  The favor was returned a few days later with "Daddy, do you want to see the tools we got you?"  Ah well.  He certainly was full of joy.

Mary, on a tractor

We went to see Santa at the Big R up in Conifer, which was really great, because there was virtually no one there, so the pressure was low.  Andrew didn't really know the process, although we've talked a little about who Santa is.  When Santa asked "What do you want for Christmas?" Andrew gave him a confused look and changed the subject: "Did you know there's a cowboy hat on top of that Christmas tree?"  They also had a discussion of some of the lawn equipment that was sitting outside the store.

Clara wasn't too sure of Santa at first, but agreed to sit on my lap and stare at him.

 

And then, of course, we had to try on some cowboy hats.  As you do.

 

Wood piles ready for winter

Watching the Charlie Brown Christmas Special

November Highlights

November was pretty quiet.

We took a quick trip to Boston and met online friends Shelley and Juniper.  (Right after this picture was taken, Andrew closed our rental minivan door on Clara's thumb.)

We had a staycation down in Colorado Springs with Miss Maggie and Mr. Trey, and we went to visit the US Olympic Training Center.  There also happened to be a fare mistake that weekend so we spent a large amount of effort booking travel for 2014...

We had a quiet Thanksgiving all to ourselves, and I discovered that it's the same amount of effort to cook fro four people as it is to cook for 15.  It sure was yummy, though!

We prepared for advent by making a calendar of little presents to open each day.  A large portion of these were the pieces of the Little People nativity scene.

And we celebrated Travis's birthday... along with an Ohio State win in THE GAME.

October Highlights

First snow

Selfie

 Throughout dinner, Andrew kept saying, "I love you, daddy," and "I want to give you a hug with my hands." Then he told me, "You should get the camera and take a picture of daddy and me." Can't argue with that...

Visitors

Early November

Lots of cute pictures...

I know it's not quite in focus, but... love the grin!

Big brother is SO FUNNY

Who doesn't like to read the paper while sitting on the throne?

This is Andrew's camera smile

We went for a walk in the snow to visit our neighbors.  They were butchering a deer and gave us some venison.  Yum!!

Andrew is getting more adventurous in the kitchen.  Here he decides to bake a turnip in the toaster oven....

...and saute up some goldfish crackers.

I have a much longer blog to do on our most recent home improvement project, but for now... aren't these the cutest safety glasses and ear protection you've ever seen?