The Best Gift Ever!

Across the Ocean...

...there is a tiny baby fighting for her little life.

Her Momma is my "little sis" from my college days fraternity and someone I hold close to my heart. Please keep Taylor, her Mommy and her Daddy in your thoughts, your hearts, and maybe your prayers.

You can check in with the blog Taylor's parents are keeping at:

http://taylormadetinythoughts.blogspot.com/

It's Too Early...

...in the season for me to look this pasty already!

Kelsey refuses to smile like a normal human these days and apparently the alien on Colin's shirt sucked the life out of him this morning!

I also put my jello in the freezer and didn't realize what I'd done until after I placed the beautiful jello mold onto the serving plate at the potluck. It dawned on me while driving home, listening to Kelsey scream about her throat hurting becuase she swallowed a peppermint whole and Colin snoring...

You shouldn't put jello in the freezer.

Winter Wonderland

When we went to bed last night, there was a fair amount of snow (in the 2" range) on the ground. This morning we are quickly approaching the 12" mark...yikes! When Kelsey woke up, we opened the blinds and she exclaimed, "HOLY MOLY!" So, I dug around in the closets and garage to round up boots, hats, and mittens for everyone and off we went!

Colin's first glance at this year's snow...

I don't really care that my son is wearing his big sister's old snow pants and pink snow boots...I'm cheap!

Kelsey took off and immediately flopped into the snow to make an angel...I did not capture a picture of this as I was busy tending to a crying baby boy who was not impressed with Mother Nature's offereings!

After I shoveled half the drive way with Colin not leaving the safety of the driveway, we came inside to have hot cocoa and a cookie.

Note: Kelsey is STILL wearing the new dress!

Her cookie face creation!

Ho Ho Ho!

Holiday pictures of the kids are finished! They don't look too festive, but I am not a fan of the over the top holiday outfits. Next year, I have visions of Kelsey in a shade of red/pink and Colin in a shade of green...we shall see.

Matchy, Matchy!

Kelsey (aka "Con Artist Kels) and her Dolly

Kelsey has her Gangy wrapped right around her little pinky! Kelsey conned The Ganganater into going grocery shopping with us on Tuesday and now Gangy bought this little ensemble today at Penney's. I was hoping to stash the doll dress away and put it on the new doll I bought Kelsey for Christmas, but no dice!

How Many Costume Changes?

These are in no particular order! I'm not a big fan of how blogger uploads pictures and I have a hard time re-ordering them...if you have a tip or two on how to be more successful, please share!

We took the kids to the "Zoo Goes Boo" minus costumes...they got to trick-or-treat around and look at the animals, which are quite active when its cold outside (my favorite time to visit).

Grandpa helped Kelsey & Colin with their pumpkins this year. Can you guess which pumpkin belongs to who?

One of my FAVORITE places to visit in the fall is Koetsier's Greenhouse. The kids get to play in an awesome indoor play area, take a hayride, eat an apple, and visit the pumpkin patch. Kelsey was helping Little Brother pick out a pumpkin and then offered to carry it for him...he kept just throwing the pumpkin down!

Kelsey's first classroom party...she went as Sleeping Beauty this day.

This is NOT a costume, but rather an outfit she put together herself. The shoes kill me!

Another favorite fall spot....Robinette's! Those ladies really know how to make out of this world pumpkin donuts!

Kelsey modeling Mommy's costume...she looks a bit like the Bahumbug Witch!

We're ready to go trick-or-treating...little bumble bee and Mickey Mouse

This October, Greg and I celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary by dressing up (which was not necessary) and eating dinner at Noto's...that place was a disappointment! But I was still happy to have a night out with Greg!

Colin and I took advantage of some Mommy-Son time and hung out at Meijer Gardens while Sissy was in school. It was a gorgeous day!

Clown Mommy, Chef Colin, and Mickey Mouse Kelsey at our MOMS Club Fall Party

There are no words for this costume....

G-ma and G-pa Pattison held down the fort and Greg & I went to The BOB with some friends

Two of the crazy residents of this house!

My little man doing his thing at the park...I think we were here to make caramel apples this day with some friends.

Mommy and Colin

Another shot of our day at FMG...he had such a good time doing his own thing and not being dragged along by Sissy. He was such a joy to watch this day while he explored EVERYTHING!

More playing at Meijer Gardens

Junior Baker!

Fall Flashback

September was a busy kick off to my favorite season...fall! We took full advantage of the beautiful weather in September and spent a good portion of the month enjoying the outdoors. The weather took a nasty turn for October, which I'll get to in my next post!

Peek a boo!

Kelsey was modeling Doug's racing helmet...she does look quite stunning even if the helmet is painted in God-awful OSU colors!

The kiddos posing for a fall picture on Doug and Lee's front porch.

I have no clue where (or when) I took this picture, but I could stare at his beautiful little face forever and ever!

Be On The Lookout!

New blog posts coming soon!

Still weeding through the several HUNDRED pictures on the camera...tough job!

One of our Firsts...

And probably not our last...trip to the ER for stitches. Colin tripped while trying to retrieve a toy near the fire place and this was the result!

Seven stitches later and our little boy was good to go. For now we are calling him Frankie...as in Frankie Stein!

She's Growing Too Fast!

The minute we walked in from preschool orientation, Kelsey packed her tote bag with the items that her teacher told her to bring the following week (this past Wednesday). Kelsey chose to bring Nina as her special stuffed animal friend for the day.


The obligatory picture by the tree in the front yard...she looks so big to me!


The "cheesy smile so Mom will hurry up" look...lovely!


Kelsey by her school cubby...this was after she told me, "You can leave now Mom."


Kelsey immediately ran into her classroom and did not look back...I just quickly snapped a picture.


This was where the kids ended their school day...the playground!

To say that Kelsey enjoyed school would be an understatement. This little girl loved every single minute of being a big girl at preschool! That alone is worth it to send her two days a week, for two hours at a time to see her this happy. I know that every school day will not be this blissful, but we'll take those days as they come.

As soon as Kelsey woke up, she wanted to go to school. I had to tell her we needed to wait until after lunch. She then asked if we could eat lunch right then so we could go to school. Quick wits! I walked her into school and she quickly hung her tote bag up and then said "Okay Mom, you can leave...I'm good." So Little Brother and I turned and left. Just like that. No fuss. No muss. What was I supposed to do now with two hours to myself and only one child? We came home and cleaned up the house a bit. Colin was just too distraught (yeah right!) without Sissy here, so he took a nap!

She's only been in this world for 3-years...how is it that she is so confident and sure about herself?

When we went to pick her up, the teacher said that Kelsey is very mature for her age and will be a great classroom helper this year. I am so proud of this little being! Being a parent is hard...