Merry Christmas

While we celebrate in Florida with family this year, Gabe sits at home and stares out the window waiting for his people to come home! So sad...

S'ok though, because he has wonderful friends to watch after him, 2 cats to keep him company, and lots of snow to play in!

Merry Christmas to all, no matter where you are!

Many Blessings in 2013 ♥

a Christmas teaser!

Since we won't be with the Hightower family for Christmas this year, we had a mini-Christmas today and opened some fun gifts from Yaya & Papa!

There was definitely a book theme going on, which pleased everyone quite well... especially Hamp, who was so excited to get the whole Diary of a Wimpy Kid series!!!

But the highlight was the mysterious big bag that the boys had been eyeing for over a week now... what on earth could it be?!?!

Turns out it was Halloween in December!

The boys had fun opening the bag of costumes (although, not as much fun as Yaya had shopping for the costumes, I suspect!) and picking out their favorites - what a neat idea!

Sam thought the "muscle shirt" costume was very silly!

NAVY SEAL!!!

BATMAN!!!

Thank you Yaya & Papa for our great pre-Christmas celebration!

We'll miss you this holiday - but will be thinking about you every time we pick up our books or take on a new identity for the day! ♥

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - part II

A nice big snow storm and it finally, really feels like winter.

NOW we are ready for Christmas!

No doubt the boys were so excited about all the snow - they have shoveled and sledded and romped and played in the snow everyday until dark! But the best was going with friends to the big sledding hill at the park after school. All the fresh snow made for some really fun rides!

 Not sure which one of those three boys had the most fun! ☺

Of course, the downside of bringing 6 boys and dog home for hot chocolate and cookies after an afternoon of sledding is all the wet, snow-encrusted gear that ends up at the front door! (next year, I'm asking Santa for a mud room!)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - Part I

Yes - the tree is up and providing a cozy napping spot for the kitties, the house is decorated with garland and lights and just a few Christmas trinkets, beautiful photo cards are hung with care on the wall so as to remind us of all of our fabulous friends and family we know and love, and my morning coffee is always in my Christmas china mug! There have been little treats and gifts coming and going for weeks now, the ipods are chock full of holiday music and we've already celebrated at four Christmas parties! The top of the piano is covered in pretty presents (out of reach of the dog!) and Zack the elf has been keeping a keen eye on all goings on at the house! Our favorite holiday is less than a week away and we are certainly in the spirit here at home...

As for our elf of the shelf, Zack - 

he had started the season well... hanging out around the house eating marshmallows:

But then he thought he'd go for a ride on the toy train and he fell off! - so he showed up the next day with a bandage on his head!

And then a couple days later he apparently looked at Gabe the wrong way and we had to rescue him from a snow bank in the back yard and give him a nice, warm blanket to dry off on:

And a few days after that, we almost lost Zack for good. Not sure if Gabe thought Zack wanted to play or if Zack was taunting the dog with his cheeky little grin... regardless, he ended up outside again but sustained some more serious injuries this time!

Santa said the cast would have to stay on until after Christmas... we're hoping for a  full recovery!

More to come... we just got hit with a big snow, so it really is starting to look a lot like Christmas!

Christmas music by Sam

 Sweet Sam has been taking piano lessons now for 3 months... and he truly enjoys it so far!

He likes to practice, he makes up songs, and especially loves when I sit and play with him.

His teacher arranged a little recital for her dozen students to play Christmas songs for the nursing home on Sunday afternoon - and Sam was really excited about it... right up until he realized there would be people watching him!!!

But despite his apparent anxiety, he remained undaunted went on with his performance. He did fine - and best of all, when he stumbled on his first song (which he has down pat at home!) he didn't stop or freak out or even turn around to look at mom! He just kept going and probably wished in his head that everyone would disappear... ♥

another tree harvest

Well, it wasn't a 73 foot Engleman Spruce that we found...

But we did go tree hunting this weekend and picked up a very nice, simple little evergreen that is now happily lighting up our living room!

Weather was warm and beautiful and there was no new snow... but we enjoyed being out in the forest and vowed to do more hiking just for fun!