O' Tannenbaum...

I'm tempted to back date this post and put it before the pictures of Jack with the tree, but my pride must be squashed. I will not hide my lack of posting behind a cute kid. Enjoy!

 We had to grow our imaginations a little to fill the triple size living room with our decorations for Christmas. Using Mom and Dad's tree helped that goal a lot! It was sad in a funny way to give up our Charlie Brown tree of last year, with it's branches that flip over if the ornaments aren't equally balanced, and the large holes between layers that we tried to cover with more lights, but the end result made us smile and the fullness of the tree added beauty to our big room!

 A rather serious problem...our star was too small to even fit on the top. Jon tried to be creative but eventually my favorite angel from childhood graced the summit.

 Romeo was thrilled at the idea of being able to climb.

When Jack woke from his nap, he heartily approved of the large, sparkly, poky thing we installed.

 On a quick break the boys work on their Christmas wish lists.

 As if he would stay still for even 10 minutes...

The crowning delight of the decorations was the train. Jack would peek under and around the tree to see when it was coming back into sight. I'll admit, being the youngest in my family, this was the first time I have ever enjoyed a train around the tree. The noise was worth the excitement.

Patience Terminated

 I am a fearful person tonight. I am afraid I will not get through Thanksgiving before it is Christmas and you will never see these painfully cute pictures of our scraggly haired lad with the Christmas tree. So, I felt pretty good getting through our trip to Ontario, and now you may join our Christmas time. Forget the rest of turkey, decorating, family Christmas in Pratt, and our new engine. Behold, the little lamb.

 Please can we be done? (also interpreted - How long has that fan been there?)

 The shirt should have been tucked in, but he is a don juan for style, take it or leave it.

Casually eating decorations...

The big eater

He likes his food to look like ours. Large chunks, full flavor.

The lost trip to Canada

I found it! After carefully digging a hole in my backyard about 8.7' x 11.3', I now know what I did in November. In an effort to catch up to present day (mainly because we took a really cute picture of Jack in front of the tree today and I want to post it) I am going to post a week at a time to get us caught up. This is the second week - we drove to Lindsay! It is lovely there. We took the trip really slowly on the way up and arrived rested and relaxed after seeing some beautiful scenery and having a good night's sleep. 

 Jack took a few minutes at the hotel to blog about the awesome Michigan rest stop. He really did love the swings there!

 One of the many driving breaks Jack gave Jon.

 Aunt Treen telling Jack some nonsense. Maybe to be nice to me? She likes to tell him that.

 Baseball hat = Bicycle helmet

 Trying out the new bike trailer from Uncle Stephen. It is awesome.

 Treen and I just before we decided that biking around the gate would take too long so we built a ramp and flipped over the gate like pros.

 The Ken Reid Conservation Area is so gorgeous

 Hannah and Jack hired story tellers for the day. Grandma and Papa both gave a good long run at it, and Great-Grandma was almost fired for refusing to share the book about sharing.

 Dad got a new toupee.

 Mom bundled baby up for some chilly walks, one he fell asleep on and parked outside for a bit.

 Jon needed to move the car...without waking the baby...without starting it...without help...we stood inside and laughed at him while he pushed unobserved...so he thought...

Steve got up to say goodbye. How cute. ;)

Couserly love

Jack loves Josiah. It bodes well for future siblinghood for him. Josiah opens his eyes, Jack laughs at him, Josiah cries, Jack laughs at him, Josiah eats, Jack laughs at him, Josiah is close enough to touch, Jack laughs and takes advantage of the moment. This picture cracks me up, both the size difference and the expressions.

Lost

Hi! Does anyone know where I lost November? I think the last time I saw it was around the 16th, but I can't find it or the first week of December anywhere! As soon as I find it I will post some new pictures and stories. :( Thanks for any help you can offer!

The hair dresser and her dog

 

Today I did something brave. My friend Katrina (conveniently related) and other friend Kristine (who you would think related by the names she is called) took me to the capable hands of their hair dresser. I was nervous and excited. Of all the wonderful people we have seen this weekend while in Canada, I post a picture of me. I hate pictures of me as a general rule, but you have a right to see the fabulous hair cut the nice lady Jess gave me. She was a lot of fun, and successful at her task. 

Yes, I look tired because I am at this picture's taken point. Please don't comment on that fact :) It won't fix my missed nap today. I missed it to experience a flat tire and hot cocoa.

This used to be Clancy. Well, it still is technically. It turns out that the hair dresser's dog is also an avid top trimmer. A visiting toddler took it upon herself to take Clancy to the capable teeth of the pup and as a result we got a buy one get one free haircut! Talk about a great deal!