a special package!

Thank you, Yaya & Papa!

These boys are getting awfully excited about our Christmas vacation!!!

it's beginning to look a lot like...

The house has been transformed into my version of a holiday haven. I try not to overdo, but there are a few certain Christmas accessories that I just can't go without...

First, there is my kitchen window that gets filled with the trinkets I find over the years as well as my Mother's set of Christmas dishes. (by the way, Mom we need bowls!)

Also in the window year round is a little reminder about how I prefer to live my life - but this time of year it sits proudly next to Mr. and Mrs. Claus and keeps me in check with my Christmas decorations around the house!
This year our home was blessed with a huge poinsettia from Mom & Dad as a thank you for hosting Thanksgiving... THANK YOU! What a beautiful surprise!

Every year I say that Christmas doesn't start until I hear John Denver sing Aspenglow. However, the Vince Guaraldi Trio's version of Christmas Time Is Here is coming in a strong 2nd these days, thanks to Kevin. (Hi Kev - miss you!)

And last, but not least is the tree! It's lovely - perhaps one of my favorites. Maybe because it is so simple? Maybe because we had so much fun finding it in the forest? Or maybe because when it gets dark at 5 o' clock, it fills the whole house with a warm glow...

Now all we need is a big blanket of white snow...

giving thanks

For Thanksgiving this year, I was very thankful that my family could come visit us in Colorado! There was much love, laughter and gluttony involved and we all enjoyed several crucial activities specific to the holiday weekend:

The first order of business was, of course to go out to the national forest and find our Christmas tree... Again, I am thankful that we were able to share this post-turkey tradition with visiting family. However, I'm not so sure that certain visiting family members were too happy about participating.

Sam preferred to have a picnic in the car...

... but Hamp was all about helping pick out the perfect tree!

Also on the agenda for the weekend was fun & games ~ in the form of football/basketball/soccer/bowling/baseball games in the playroom! ~ with Aunt Jei and Uncle Alec. Something about those two brings out all the smiles in the boys!

The next order of business ~ watching Georgia vs. Georgia Tech. Now you may remember that Dad-O is a Tech alum. Well, Mojo is a Georgia Bulldog, so things were a little tense Saturday night. Sam made sure to cover his bases, though. (smart kid!)

And finally... there were presents.

Happy Holidays!!!

kindergarten thanksgiving celebration

Hamp's class celebrated the holiday with a traditional "feast" and a little dancing?! (the turkey tango, anyone?!) Sam and I were glad we were invited - and glad we had friends to play with!

This picture was staged... I couldn't help myself.

The sign on the stage said "Dramatic Play", which seemed to speak volumes about what these turkeys were doing!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

rock stars!

When it's cold and dark by 5pm we have to be creative at home.... consequently, we have a lot of dance parties in the living room. I'm sure you know by now that these boys have moves, but did you know that they can rock out, too? Oh, yes - we have a Jonas brothers effect in the making!

cowboys vs. indians

The Meeker Cowboys had their final game of the season this weekend - a playoff game against the Yuma Indians! History was rewritten as the Indians prevailed over the brave Cowboys...

Despite the game's outcome, the boys spent a great Saturday afternoon with good friends and lots of snow! We were a little skeptical about going since it was 8 degrees when we woke up that morning! But no worries... it warmed up to a comfortable (bearable?!) 23 degrees or so. Nothing a little hot chocolate and good snow pants won't take care of!

wild boys

Hamp and three of his buddies playing outside after school.

These pictures are the epitome of 5/6 year old boys.Swords on a trampoline... what could go wrong?
And if this is a foreshadowing of a what they'll be doing a decade from now...
...let's just hope once they do learn to drive, they do a better job parking the car!