Merry Christmas!

Just a quick note to wish all who read our blog a Very Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Eve

I met my friend Ali for coffee this morning and we talked the hour away! She is such a sweet, caring, patient, fashionable woman that I am proud to call my friend!

Parker & Grammy bundled up and went for a sled ride/walk outside in the snow. He's so cute with his winter gear - Spiderman boots and all!

We are going to church at 3:30 pm tonight and then opening a few presents. Parker tells me that he is getting excited!

Kels & Graham will be here on Friday morning - bright and early! Can't wait to spend time with them. We are making some holiday craft projects as well, look for pics of our handy work soon :)

Enjoy the wonder of tonight!

December Updates

Whew...5 days until Christmas! Parker is beyond excited to open presents. He's going to leave carrots and oats for the reindeer. And cookies for Santa. He asked me what I had on my list when we were driving in the car last night and said "Santa is checking twice". So stinkin cute!

Parker had his Christmas program at school yesterday afternoon.

They sang 3 songs - he did a great job and was waving and smiling the whole time to me! We went to Subway (his choice) afterwards to have a sandwich and a cookie. A slight melt-down on sandwich#1 that got made. Note: he likes the mayonaise on the BOTTOM of the bread...the ham, pepperoni, salomi, and sprinkle cheese goes on the top.


We are in Spicer for the weekend - hoping not to get snowed in! We are going to see The Tale of Desperaux movie this afternoon. Can't wait to bring Parker to the theatre. He insisted that Grammy take him - and you know her, she gives in :) All in good nature though. She loves him so. He specifically said that he wanted to go to the movies with his family. What a boy - always including!

We wrapped some presents this morning. Note: Grammy you have all paper for boys, none for girls. We'll be re-stocking the supply at the after Christmas bargain sales. Love looking for the deals!


Parker also decided that he does not like hot chocolate - but posed for a cute picutre anyways!

2 days of work this week and then we are home bound for the Holidays. We are looking forward to spending time with our family. Love you guys.

Parker tells us that we have to wait to open our presents until it is Christmas time. He also loves looking for the lights at night-time...he tells me "Mommy - look for Christmas on your side". I love that he gets so excited at this time of year. I'm looking forward to the expression on his face when he opens his presents - fingers crossed that he'll enjoy all of his gifts. There are some Spidey things, a doctor kit, workbench, and games coming his way - he should be set for entertainment!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours. I still haven't received our cards yet - can't complain though for spending $6.13 (including tax and shipping) at Winkflash. I'm still working on the letter as well...I best be on my way to finish it up!

Dancing + sprinkles + decorations galore!

We love it when Auntie Kels is home with us! We spent the weekend making Christmas treats, singing the Hokey Pokey, watching Polar Express, going on a bear hunt (indoors + outdoors), shopping, making chalkboards, eating way too spicy chipotle chicken pizza, chopping down evergreen boughs, putting up Christmas decorations, watching Incredibles, hanging ornaments, and just being together. It was GREAT!

Parker even cooperated for a photo to use for the Christmas card...unbelievable! He smiled and everything. What a great boy. He has been asking so many questions, telling so many stories, and comes up with the cutest one liners we know. That boy makes me so happy to be his mama!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Wow. Where has the time gone!

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner at my mom & dads. My mom made a wonderful meal. Grandma brought a to die for salad. And auntie Dawn made this amazing apple dip. We played games and enjoyed each other's company. It was great! Parker got to play with is most favorite cousins. He had a blast.

Today we spent the day helping Grammy get the Christmas decorations out. We went for a walk after lunch time and managed to get some really cool red dogwood braches. I'm excited to put them together with some evergreens for a nice holiday arrangement.

I love this time of year. It is my favorite season.

I'm working on a December Daily album - found the inspiration on this site. I have the "guts" of my album started and can't wait to document the 25 days of December.

I need to get a list of the gifts that I have already purchased + a list of the ones that I still need to buy.

Parker is wonderful. He is back at New Horizons and loving it immensely. I can't believe how in 1 day he is "himself" again. Learning, growing, discovering, and most of all being challenged EVERY day. I'm thankful to be working back at Merrill and am enjoying my job. Wow, what a difference it makes to WANT to get up and go to work every day - and feel like I am making a difference and am putting my talents and abilities to good use.

We're waiting for Auntie Kels to get here! She's spending the rest of the weekend with us. We love being together. We'll miss Graham and Bodde...

Enjoy the start to this amazing season.

Madagascar 2

Tickets to Madegascar 2 = $11.50

Popcorn + purple slushie = $10.00

The excitement leading up to (one hour prior) + sitting on the edge of his seat for our first movie in the theatre = PRICELESS.

Spidey

I was lucky I even got a picture in Parker's excitement for his Halloween costume this year (yes-I know I'm EXTREMELY late in posting these pics...sorry!). Needless to say, he was at his finest in full Spidey gear. Bonus: he had Spidey socks, undies, and slippers to match! One boy can NEVER have enough Spidey things.

We carved a pumpkin for the first time together. Parker wasn't a fan of the "gunk". And the tail on the cat fell off the next morning. Oh well :)

He forgot completely about whole bucket of candy he got. I was so proud of him when we went trick-or-treating. YES, Parker you must say 'thank you' at every house. Oh man, mommy - that's alot of times. I know buddy.

New Spectacles

Parker got his glasses last night! He looks like a little professor with them...and made sure that he got the pair that he can see the rainbow in (not sure what that means!). Today is his first full day of wear - we had several discussions leading up to the day he got them. He was FULL of questions last night. Can't stress the importance of how good it feels to be able to talk to him and see him comprehend/process things! It's a GREAT feeling :)

ali j's

We had the honor of meeting a fabuous woman on Saturday afternoon...Ali J! It's crazy how good it feels to meet someone for the first time and know that there is a purpose and timing for everything and everyone in your life. Thank you, Ali, for opening up your home and boutique for us :) We shopped and talked, Parker played, and we enjoyed the company of a beautiful, kind, smart, loving, and fashionable woman!!!

Ali's line includes: pashmina scarves in a variety of colors and styles. She also sports bangles, clutch bilfolds, and much more! If you're in the Willmar area - be SURE to stop at LuLu Beans on November 1st, where Ali will be showcasing her beautiful boutique items! To learn more, check out her website at: www.alijboutique.com.

The meet-greet was sure bliss. Thank you again, Ali!

October

I am enjoying every minute of this beautiful Fall season!

I've started to think of the Holidays already...they will be here before we know it. Parker and I were doing some errands this weekend and I have *lots* of ideas floating around in my head for gift ideas! Now, it's just taking those ideas and putting them in motion!

Some exciting news...I am back at Merrill! Full time employee + benefits + daytime hours = happiness :) Week 2 started and it feels absolutely wonderful! THANK YOU to my friends and family (you know who you are!!!) who supported me the last 10 months. This change has done wonders - not only to my spirits, goals, confidence - but my checkbook as well!

We went trick-or-treating on Saturday at PineCone Marketplace. Parker got a whole bucket of candy. Come to think of it, he hasn't asked for one piece since we went...interesting! We ate lunch at Quiznos while watching the other kids come and go - saw some pretty neat costumes. And the Spiderman costume stayed on ALL day. Even for the afternoon nap, running of errands, supper, and movie before bed.

I have pictures to post! Forgot my camera cable at home to transfer them...so will do that this week :)

We are heading to the lake this weekend to relax and work on wedding projects!