Breakfast with Santa

Yesterday morning we took Daniel to our church's "Breakfast with Santa" event and I do have to say he did 100 times better than last year. (If you remember, last year featured a crying baby who would not even look at the "Big Man in the Red Suit"). Though we too are smarter than last year as we went to visit the "Big Man" as soon as we got there and were the first ones to visit Santa. Thankfully Santa was very tolerant and did try to have Daniel sit on his lap but our "Little Man" was just fine with being held by us as we knelled by Santa. Santa did manage to get Daniel to tell him what he wanted for Christmas, which was "A Rudolph Book". Here are some photos from "the meeting."

"I See Him"



The "Big Man in the Red Suit"


His First Santa Photo!!
(With a Smile Too!)

"Ok, I am Done with This. I Want my Candy Cane!"

We even made an advent wreath closing out the morning.

All and all a good way to start the holiday season as a family.

By the way, the elves have been busy decorating the house so once they are completed, we will share.

Just think, only 25 more days till Christmas!!

Happy Thanksgiving and....

Just One Hug....

Singing in the Shower....

The Yellow Bike

So over the summer Mike found this yellow bike at a garage sale and thought it would make a great Santa gift this Christmas. Though Daniel did see it when Mike brought it home, thankfully he forgot about it. (An amazing feat for him).

Fast forward to our move. So of course the bike came with us and we put it in our attic for Christmas. Wouldn't you have it, Daniel had to peek in the attic and saw the "yellow bike" and I kid you not has been asking for it at least once a week since we moved in. Of course we ignored the request and I even said "when I go upstairs to get the Thanksgiving dishes, I will pull it down." Now, of course I was hoping and praying he would not put two and two together but as faith would have it, upon waking up from his nap yesterday he saw the dishes and once again started in about the "yellow bike." I, of course, laughed and since I was at the end of my rope from his constant requests, I gave in. I, however, did not think he would do so well riding it but he once again proved him wrong.

And with that, here is the "yellow bike"....

Look's Who's Two and Half Today...

Haircut - Finally!

After MANY failed attempts to get Daniel's haircut at the barber Mike took matters into his own hands and cut Daniel's hair tonight. As you can see, he was a real trooper.

Half Way Through

"The Cuttings"

The "Finished" Do

Sunday...In the Park,,,,

As Mike enjoyed the "joys" of home ownership

by cleaning out the gutters.

Daniel and I enjoyed a beautiful fall day and walked to our new and nearby park

We saw some ducks on our way down to the park

And he enjoyed the curly slide

And smiled

And laughed all through the swings....

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday, if I do say so myself!

First Army Hockey Game

Last night Daniel went to his first Army hockey game at West Point with good friends and Grandpa! (Thanks Grandpa for getting us great seats!) Daniel seemed to enjoy the game and even ate a half of a hot dog, dippin dots and cracker jacks. If I knew he would eat like a champ I would have been taking him to games all along.

All and all a great family night and Army even won the game by a score of 2-1. Here are some photos from last night.

Chowing on a hot dog

The View from our Seats

Enjoying Another "First"

What Happens When.....

You let a two-year-old dress himself...

Music Man...

Need I say more.......

Digging Out...

Betcha thought this was going to be about snow, huh? Luckly the snow is still (hopefully) far away and the nice days of fall are still ahead. As for us, we are almost completely done with "digging out" of boxes and are now in the process of setting decor in our house. I do have to say, it really was not that bad but WOW was it a lot of work as we probably moved something over two full weeks. Our livable space has been livable since we moved in just two weeks ago and Daniel has been playing like a rockstar. I do have to say, he has been a champ in all this and now only wants to go to "my new home" when we are out and about. Thank you to everyone who helped us move. We REALLY could not have done it without your help and I am glad everyone got a giggle off me with my boxes and the fact that every room had its own color-coded duck tape. Hey - worked. Pictures are forth coming as I have to say I have been a slacker in that department lately.

We are looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving in our house. After a three year hiatus of doing Thanksgiving, we are looking forward to hosting it. The "herds" are coming as with tradition we are expecting about 12 people. The joys of the holidays!!!

We are also looking forward and hoping that Daniel enjoys Santa a bit more this year than last. We are keeping our fingers crossed as he is already starting to get excited when he "sees" Santa in the store or says "Santa bring that" during a commercial. Time will only tell on that one as trying to get his haircut has been a nightmare this past week. All I can say - open door, walk out with a crying child. Yes, two's are just TERRIFIC!!


So, with that, I leave you with a recent video and photo of the little man. Actually it was taken yesterday in our yard as it was close to 70 degrees outside and we were doing our "final" lawn clean-up and Daniel was trying to help me. And yes, he looks a lot like me trying to start our beast of a lawnmower.....

Enjoy what is left of fall and getting ready for Turkey Day!!

Stop Taking Pictures of Me Mom!

And yes, those were his exact words.