Visions of Sugar Plums

I have always loved Christmas - decorating, baking, wrapping gifts, watching all the great Christmas movies... It is so fun to enjoy all those things with Todd and the kids. The boys are full of the yuletide spirit, donning Santa hats whenever they are home. We put up our tree early in the month so we could enjoy every last drop of Christmas cheer.

Some of our favorite traditions... nightly lighting of the advent candles and reading by the tree; taking the kids and their friend, Sager, to Cinematic Christmas every Tuesday night to watch free Christmas movies and eat hot dogs; baking for friends, teachers, and neighbors....

Hope your Christmas is full of blessing!

Christmas on the Block

One recent Sunday afternoon, we delivered Christmas goodies to our neighbors. Caleb loved surprising our friends with goodies that he had helped make and wrap up. A little while later, our neighbors and their friends came over and carolled at our house. All the neighbors went from porch to porch enjoying their performance. As you can see, Addison thoroughly loved it! She clapped and squealed the whole time.

This afternoon, I had the 4 other kids on our block over to decorate sugar cookies. Our camera isn't working, but I assure you our house was full of laughter, creative cookies, sugared up kids... I think I'll be finding icing and sprinkles for weeks but it was well worth it!

Run, Boys, Run!

On December 8th (Happy Birthday, Mom!), Todd ran in the Thunder Road Half-Marathon in Charlotte. The kids and I went to watch him finish. We were about 1/4 mile from the finish line and directly across the street from our apartment when we were first married.

That morning, i came downstairs to find that Caleb had dressed himself in running gear, complete with his headband. Cole quickly followed suit. We waited patiently for Todd to run by. The boys jumped in with Todd and finished the race with him. The last bit they ran hand in hand, all smiles!

Leaves, Leaves and More Leaves

With all our trees, we have an abundance of leaves this time of year. Our favorite afternoon activity has been running and jumping into a big leaf pile in our yard. One day, Todd took them for a spin around the yard on his scooter. These 70 degree fall days have certainly been a blessing! Now, who wants toto come help us rake some leaves?!

Charlotte's Latest Choo-Choo

A previous post mentioned that Cole and I are having regular dates. Our latest date was spent riding Charlotte's new light rail train that connects Uptown Charlotte with South Charlotte. We spent about one hour round trip riding the train. We both loved it. With the addition of some mass transit, Charlotte is beginning to feel like a bigger city. There will be many more rides in our future, for sure!

Christmas Fever

'Tis been the season for Todd and I to be dreadfully sick. Both of us have been bedridden for several days - luckily at different times! We are coming out of our malaise and spent the weekend slowly decorating the house. The boys are thrilled with the transformation. It's been fun to remember where we were last year -- anxiously anticipating Addison's arrival. What a joy it is to have her "on the outside" this Advent!

Deep Thoughts

On our way home from a Christmas party, Caleb had this interesting request...

"Mommy, Daddy... When I get to heaven, I'd like for God to turn me into a 5-year old boy and not a grown up. Do you think he'll do that?"

Hmmm.... I think I'd like that, too.