Merry Christmas!!!

Question of the Week

When we slow down so I can find time to blog?

21 Months Old

Thomas is 21 months old yesterday on the 11th. I can't believe he is as big as he is. His vocabulary took off on the long Thanksgiving weekend. He is talking up a storm and we are understanding more and more every day what he understands.

He loves Choo-Choo's, tractors and balls. He will sit and let you read to him and most of all he loves his sister.

My favorite thing he started doing this month is saying his name. If you ask him his name he'll answer "T-Man". He says it with such pride.

He is such a joy and I am so thankful for this little man.

Overheard

The other day we were at the grocery store and Arden was in a great mood and singing

"Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if they'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer.

Oh ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can't see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me."

I then joined in singing with her and she replied.

"Mom, I didn't know that you knew this song. It's a new one."

Question of the Week

Is winter necessary?

Wordless Wednesdays

Our 11th President

Arden's school took a field trip to the birth place of our 11th President James Polk. The weather was warm and we had a great time. Arden took it all in and will even talk to me about a couple of the things she learned there. Like how the kids put clay between the logs to make the log cabins. She was talking about it this weekend when her and I were building a Lincoln Log house.


While on the tour they saw the house that held a parlor and bedrooms and a separate kitchen house. Then they played with games that were popular during that time period. Arden's favorite was the jump rope. Not surprising since she loves her jump rope.

Thomas had a great time and though he was a 4 year old.

I was really glad that her school chose this location to visit.

Question of the Week

Why do 4 day weekends go back so fast?

Wordless Wednesdays

A Few of Her Favorite Things

Last night Arden and I had a really great conversation. I asked her what makes her feel special and is her response in the order they were given to me.

Candy
Balloons
Parades
Music
Dancing

So if you want to make Arden feel special here's a great place to start.

Happy Birthday Eric

Sunday was my brother Eric's birthday. He's another year older...he said he's stopped having birthdays but we'll take the time to celebrate him anyway.



Arden is ready to see him so we can have a cake and ice cream. Thomas is ready to see him so he can play The Big Bad Wolf with him.



While we're 100s of miles apart I still can't image my life without him. Thanks Mom and Dad for giving me a brother about 30 years ago or so.



Happy Birthday Eric.

Question of the Week

Can we please have a warm Thanksgiving?

HAT

The other day Thomas woke up from his nap pointing to his hat and asking to wear it. I was surprised that he wanted to wear it. He usually does not like things on his head. However, he is starting to wear it.

Most of the time he wears it backwards because he pushes on the bill to put it on and can't figure out how to put it on forward without a little help.

He did take the time to model it for me.

Wordless Wednesdays

Hide and Seek

Thomas was so proud of his new hiding place.

The Drum Line Dance

After the game we went and watched the Marshall Drum Line perform outside of the stadium. I was surprised how much Thomas loved it. He danced and danced around and then laughed and laughed.

Question of the Week

Why is she growing up so fast?

We are...MARSHALL

We attended our alma mater's homecoming. Arden loves and I mean loves going on campus. She walks around like she's know exactly where she's going. She asks questions and poses for pictures.

She loves going to the football game. She watches the cheerleaders and wants to know where Marco is at all times. She likes to dance with the band and loves to yell GO! GO! GO!

Thomas played with his tractors and every once and a while would watch the game with intensity and then go back to playing with his cars.

Campus has changed so much since I've been there and I can say the same thing about myself. I've changes a lot since my days there but I have some great memories there and it is always good to go back.

The First Camp Fire

After working on the stump Dave made a small campfire in the back yard in the fire pit. We roasted marshmallows and enjoyed the warmth of the fire. We could hear his high school band playing at the football game in the background. It was a great night.

Working with Daddy

Dave's mom had a stump that needed to be removed. Thomas is always intrigued when Dave works around the yard and this day was no exception. Thomas loved just being with his Dad. He sat quietly and watched his daddy work.

Wordless Wednesdays

Overheard

Arden: "Mommy, diner tonight is just too predictable."

Trick or Treating

We were at Dave's mom's for Halloween. They do trick or treating a little different up there. They do not trick or treat on the weekends so we ended up trick or treating 3 days before Halloween.


We went with their cousins Luke and Ella. The kids had a great time and they were treated to a lot of candy. Arden was a good witch. Thomas was fireman, Ella was Cinderella and Luke was Batman. Luke was so sweet because his Batman mask upset Thomas he refused to wear it because he didn't want to scare him.


We had such a great time.