Decorated Faces

A few nights after putting up the tree, we decided to play dress-up and be Christmas characters. I am not sure the kids totally got it, but it was fun nonetheless. Brennan chose a Hannah Montana variation, Kaia was some Snow White type character, and Elise was Princess Christmas.

Brennan's poses:

Kaia's Looks:

Expressions of Elise:

Rockin' around the Xmas tree

Tis the season to decorate the tree. At the beginning of the month, we put up the tree (Dec 2nd). I have to note that it is really nice that Brennan is in a stage that he wants to put these things together. So, it is much better than me having to do it myself. Brennan and Kaia had a good time playing with the decorations and decorating themselves. It reminded me of when I was a little girl and we would put up our tree and I would put on the tree skirt and twirl around in it. It was such a beautiful feeling :)!

Gobble-Gobble

Thanksgiving this year was memorable:

Went to California!

Took Ben to California for the first time!

Slept under the stars in the desert!

Celebrated Liz's Birthday!

Explored old haunts and talked about old hauntings!

Uncovered old photos and memories!

Got pneumonia!

Made new photos and memories!

So, one does not typically plan on being ill over a vacation period. I do always joke that I don't have time to get really sick...yeah, it's not as funny anymore. However, in spite of the obvious downfall of feeling like crap and having to make accommodations for my physical well-being, it may actually have been a good thing. Normally, my trips home are sprinkled generously with outings and friends and the people I am anticipating visiting with and reconnecting to. This time, I was unable to see most of the people on my list (okay, like 2 out of 10 got seen...). I didn't even see my Aunt Susan. Weird. Anyway, this created the opportunity for Ben and I and the kids to spend a lot more time than we likely would have at my parent's house. My traditional visits home are not actually spent much at the old homestead. Really, I think this was a good thing in the long run because with this being Ben's first visit, he didn't have to get too overwhelmed by the experience of "and this is my friend ______, and we used to ________, and we still like to _______, and she/he/they feel ________ about ________". Punctuated throughout by giggle filled memories. Oh, do NOT get me wrong :). This is an experience that will be had! I have just felt that perhaps this slower pace (that was thrust upon me by the likes of pneumonia), was actually more of an upper than a downer.

So, here are some of the pix we did get in our time in Cali:

Kaia plays dress-up at World Market with me & Lorna & Elise

The oranges Ben & I got from some of the groves in Riverside.

And...welcome to the Stout's. Can you help us push a car?

Tyler's car needed to be moved into my parents garage until it can be fixed. So, after eating our Thanksgiving abundance, Ben and Adam got ready to go. And, our little Elise was right on board with helping. After the car got going a bit too fast for her, she stopped and wiped her hands proudly (as if she had done all the work herself :).

Brennan sharing the list that he created before Thanksgiving dinner. He went through and asked everything what they are thankful for. He wrote down everyone's and then read the list during dinner. It was all his idea. Then, Ben and Kaia opted to eat on the patio since the table was pretty full. Brennan set up the table and was their waiter :).

I love family food pictures :). In the first pic, you can see Brennan going out to "wait" on Ben & Kaia. I love that in the second pic, Liz and Grandma are waiting patiently (-ish), while Adam and Tyler dig in :).

Elise waited at the table for us to serve Thanksgiving dinner for a good hour before we actually ate. It was hilarious (well, to me!). She kept saying "I ready! I ready! I ready, Mom! I ready, Gandma! I ready, Lorna!"

Me (with (as Jen noted) my plastered on "i'm not really this sick" smile) with Jason & his girlfriend Lisa when they came by the house to visit. It was pretty sweet because I got to know Lisa quite a bit better. And, I liked what I learned :)!

Ben and I went to lunch at Chili's (I know, you are all shocked!) with my good friend, Lorrie. What I love about Lorrie...you know, I love this about all my friends!...is that we can not see each other and we can still hang out when possible and not run out of things to say :). Bonus points with Lorrie: As an adult, our friendship is actually developing more now. If I seem surprised (can you feel surprise via typing?), it's because I think that I have often gotten stuck in the thinking that the friends I had growing up are my friends. And, they are. I am super, super, SUPER lucky with those that surround me. I am also discovering that I can make new friends and that those relationships can be just as valid and can reach me in different ways. Isn't that exciting?! I love thinking about all of the possibilities with new friends and old friends and in-betweener friends :). How fun!!!

On the way back, Ben did a good chunk of driving and we tried to set up the car to be more comfy for me and Elise. Thankfully, Adam & Liz graciously took Brennan and Kaia back up with them. This ended up being quite the effective birth control method for them :)...

Tricks and Treats

This year, Halloween brought Adam and Liz down from Idaho to go trick or treating with me and the kiddos. First, we went to Chili's for dinner. This was presumably for my birthday, but really so that I could make sure the kids had some decent food in their tummies prior to the candy attack. The kids had lots of fun trick or treating (of course!) and really enjoyed playing with Uncle Adam and Aunt Liz! We were so glad they came out to play!!

Mama with her Princess.

Doesn't Elise look like she could be Liz's daughter :)?

Initially, I think Adam was a tad worried about his nephew choosing to be Hannah Montana for Halloween. Luckily, being around Brennan, it was impossible to not enjoy his infectious and sincere delight in it!

Elise-Princess Angel (that's what she called it :)!)

Kaia-Princess Jasmine (I made her costume :)!)

Brennan-Hannah Montana (Braved school and PREVAILED :)! The kids in his class loved his outfit and he was so calm and self-assured that I loved that!)

Kaia's wig ended up being a nightmare ;)!! By the end of the night I just tossed it in the car...where it looked quite a bit like roadkill...

Elise declared she was "NOT cold"! So, she took off her jacket to display her wings. Of course, this prompted many a homeowner to woefully decry the lack of jacket...and I am sure question my mothering skills! However, I have enough skill to know that Elise is really, really, REALLY good at being: ELISE! So, I don't need to question her if she's "NOT cold". I just smile and nod at the disapproving looks from well-meaning women and I calmly carry her jacket and allow her to "spread" her wings...

Adam walks with all 3 "girls" :)! And, Elise looks a bit weary at the end of her trick or treating escapade...