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!