Christmas Tree Time!

On Friday morning we continued our annual tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree with Mimi, Papa, Ryan, Susie and Sam.  It was chilly but didn't bother those boys a bit!  We had breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then headed to Reindeer Lane.  Jack and Sam had a blast being pulled around on the sleds that were meant for the trees, and Drew was a big helper and the official "saw carrier".  After looking around a bit we found the perfect tree - it was actually one I had spotted right when we first pulled in the lot!  We cut it down and then went in the barn to have some popcorn and hot cocoa and the boys got to see Santa and tell him a few things they want for Christmas.  We topped off the morning with a horse drawn carriage ride and candy canes!  What a fun morning - our favorite tradition!

Jack stopped at this tree and said it was the one he wanted!

Silly Sam!

Here it is!

Jack was playing with Santa's jingle bells and telling him he wants a Batcave for Christmas.  :)

Sam, Ryan, Susie and Brody in the belly taking a horse drawn wagon ride!

Elfie's Back!

The boys were SO excited to find Elfie on Friday morning.  That sneaky little elf was in their sink taking a bath in marshmallows!  He also left them a note and their favorite treat - donuts!  Elfie will be watching them and reporting to Santa from now until Christmas Eve.  They have had so much fun each morning trying to find him - it's the first thing on their minds! So far we've also found him reading books with Jack's stuffed animals, riding on top of Drew's lego airplane, and sitting in Drew's little Christmas tree!  Can't wait to see what other mischief Elfie will get into this month!

Drew read the note to us.

Thanksgiving Feast

Jack had a "Friendship Feast" at preschool on Tuesday.  I was lucky enough to be off work since it was only a 2 day week, so I got to attend the feast.  The kiddos put on a little performance of some fall songs and then we got to enjoy the "feast", which was basically a giant party mix!  Each kid brought in something that represented a certain part of the first Thanksgiving.  Jack's contribution was the popcorn - yum!  

Singing the song about the "big, fat turkey".  :)

He wasn't too into any of the other songs!  He told me later that his jeans were "hurting" him, that's why he wasn't singing or doing the actions!  Such a bad mommy, making him wear jeans.  

Happier now that it's time to eat!  They all decorated their tablecloth for morning work!

My baby boy!

Doing Our Homework...

Drew had some homework to do today so of course Jack had to do his "homework", too.  Drew's assignment was to disguise a turkey so that it could trick Farmer Mack (from the book Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving) and not be eaten on Thanksgiving Day!  We decided to make the turkey look like Santa using markers, construction paper, and cotton balls.  It turned out really cute!  I don't have a picture of what the turkey looked like before, so you will have to use your imagination.

As Jack was working, he says, "How do you spell I love you?"  I spelled it for him, and he wrote this completely on his own!  He only asked me what a V looked like and I told him, then I helped him a little with the Y, but that's it!  Pretty good I thought for 3 1/2, right?!

A Fun Day with Parker!

Aunt Rachel and Parker came up on Friday to hang out with Jack and I!  He is getting so big and cuter by the day.  Jack had fun holding him and playing dress up with him!  We went to lunch at Panera and then took a walk up to our neighborhood park since it was so nice outside.  Parker loved riding in the stroller and watching Jack run around and play.  He even went down the slide for the first time!  Uncle Brad came up after work and we all went to dinner at the Pizza Ranch.  Parker was not a fan.  :)  Love my sweet little nephew and can't wait to see him again!

Jack thought it was cool that his jeans had Superman on them and Parker's shirt had Superman, too!

Jack trying his fire helmet on Parker!

Talking to Aunt Jen!

Poor Parker - Jack had to put his Batman mask on him, too!

Sweet boy, ready for a walk!

Jack hiding in the tunnel

Parker and Jack going down the slide together!

We wore him out!!

I think I snapped about 10 pictures of him like this....sooo sweet!  He just drifted off to sleep while laying on his play mat!

Just for a little catnap, though.  :)

Trick-or-Treat!

FINALLY - it's time to trick-or-treat!  (Jack was ready to go at 8:00 that morning.)  We first headed over to Great Grandpa Spotts' house - a Halloween tradition.  We also got to see Gail, Ashlyn, Emma, Brooke, Chris and Mason.  Then we went to trick-or-treat at Mimi and Papa's house before heading home to meet up with Daddy and head out around our neighborhood.  Jack ran up to each house - he was SO excited.  Drew was mostly just interested in collecting as much candy as possible and was excited whenever he met up with one of his friends from school.  Enjoy the pics of Batman and our scary skeleton!  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Love this picture!!

Already into the candy.

Jack discovered he likes Snickers just like Great Grandpa!

Mason the cute little lion.

Playing in Grandpa's leaves.

Running up to Mimi and Papa's house.

Lots of fun treats from Mimi and Papa.

Army guys!

Seeing double Batmen - Sam and Jack!

Drew, Will, Jack, Abby, Aiden and Sam!

Let's go!

Almost home and STILL running up to each house.