Our First Real Christmas Tree

The last time that I had a real tree I think I was maybe 10 or so. Probably younger, mom would be able to tell you. Rob really wanted a real tree. We actually haven't had a tree at all for the last few years. Rob had to go out on his own and get it since I am still disabled. He took Reid with him and went out. He ended up at Lowe's getting one. It was really hard to pick out the tree on his own with Reid with him, but I think he did a great job.

Here are the kids sitting in front of the tree before it was decorated. The kids are very excited to come downstairs everyday and turn the lights on. So far we have no broken ornaments. We have the tree in our front room and it is gated so we can keep the kids out. They can gaze at it from the kitchen.

I put all unbreakable ornaments on the bottom of the tree. Here they are sitting in front of the tree posing and yelling Merry Christmas. This year will be fun!!

Thanksgiving Pics

Life is better here. I no longer am using crutches. I still have my big old walking cast/boot but at least I can walk. I am just taking it easy, so I'm still not getting out much. Rob was able to go out of town for work this week though and we are here by ourselves so things are getting easier.

These are a few pics that we took with Aunt Sarah's camera in SouthBend on Thanksgiving. It was a little cool, but we were still able to get outside for a bit. We finally got some snow here in MI over the weekend but it is raining today, so it is all gone.

Here we are at the park. GG, Elsie, Gramma, Reid and Mommy. Aunt JoAn was with us, but took the picture. Getting ready to go down the slide.

Who needs play equipment when you can crawl around on the ground???

Playing Peek!!!

Waiting for Christmas

It has been too long since I posted. I have an excuse once again. It is really hard to take pictures or carry a camera when you are hobbling around on crutches. I go to the DR tomorrow and I really hope to come out of there walking without the crutches. I'll let you know.

We spent Thanksgiving in Indiana. It was a good couple of days and its always fun to see family. This year I got to sit back and watch everyone else do the work. I made up for it by pulling up a stool in the kitchen and drying all of the dishes. I didn't do much shopping this year. I went out to Michaels in the morning and that was enough for me. After supper we went to Target so I could ride around in one of the carts. We had actually gone to Meijer the day before and Rob was dying to get a picture of me on the little cart. No such luck. Nobody had a camera and he left his phone in the car. Oh well. Hopefully those days are over. Nana bought the kids Santa hats at the dollar store. They love wearing them.

They are getting so big. Christmas this year is going to be fun!!!

We are going to go into family withdrawl after tomorrow. We don't have anyone lined up to be here with us. We have had family here or been at their house for the past month. Christmas will be here soon enough.

Recuperating

Just in case anyone is wondering, this is how my recovery is going. I am attempting to sit on the couch with my foot up, but it is difficult with 2 kids and books. They don't want to be anywhere else but there. Oh well, at least I know they love me.

Oh and this picture is about 1 hr after we got home, so I still look a little drugged here.

Belated Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday to Me.

So it has been a busy 2 weeks. We had 3 Halloween events. First we dressed up for storytime at the library on the Monday of that week. That was a pretty mellow party. Then we dressed up for our playgroup on Wed. Reid was just the cutest lion you have ever seen. He wouldn't let you take his hat off. Elsie was Elmo and her hat was off as much as it was on. I think they liked their costumes and had fun at their party.

Reid as the lion.Elsie as Elmo.
Putting puzzles together at playgroup.

Storytime at playgroup. Our leader is Maggie. They were hot by then, so the hats were off. They really like story time, but they also know now that if they sit still and listen to a story that they get a snack afterwards. Snacktime is their favorite part of the morning I think.

On Halloween night we dressed the kids up and went trick or treating to just a couple of neighbours. Then our neighbours across the street came over and we put the fire pit in the driveway and ordered pizza, had some drinks and handed out candy. The kids had a great time. Reid was scared of the big kids with the scary masks on but nothing seemed to bother Elsie.

This is the 4 of us posing in front of the fire. It was a beautiful night, we almost didn't need a fire to keep us warm. It was perfect.

This was our first attempt at jack o lanterns. Rob of course did the scary one, I did the cat. I think I caught Reid about to take the lids off and get into some trouble.

On the Sunday after Halloween it was my birthday. On Saturday I got my big gift. I went out for the afternoon and had a pedicure and a massage. It was wonderful. A very relaxing afternoon. On Saturday night we were heading across the street to the neighbours to watch a movie in the backyard.(I have to get a picture of this to post on here)It is their tradition to watch a christmas movie in the backyard the weekend after Halloween. Everyone wears a santa hat and sits in the yard. But on the way over, I missed the step coming off the front porch and I thought I sprained my foot. I still hobbled over and we watched the movie. On Sunday morning the kids had cards and a gift for me. Some pumpkin halloween lights that we can hang on the porch next year.

Here are the three of us. As you can see I was still icing my foot because it was still really sore. Well later that day I went and had xrays done, and it is broken. In 2 spots. So be thinking of me tomorrow while I am in surgery getting some screws placed. What a birthday present I gave myself, 7 weeks off work.

Your Turn/My Turn

Reid is obsessed with pulling the wagon. But he usually has a passenger in it since Elsie enjoys being pulled around.Here they come down the street.
Now today for the 1st time, I turn around and the tables are turned. Reid is the passenger.

Here they go taking off down the street. Thankfully they don't go very far. Just 1 house down in each direction and then they turn around.

October Birthdays

Rob's family has a lot of fall birthdays.(9 between Sept/Oct/Nov) So for the last 2 years we have had a get-together in the fall to celebrate all the birthdays together. Last year Aunt JoAn and Uncle Dave moved to a house on a lake, so it is the perfect spot to celebrate.

We had lunch when we arrived. We set up the umbrella table for the kids to have lunch. Perfect. Who doesn't have an umbrella table in their living room???Then the boys and kids went out fishing and for a boat ride.

After a while we all went outside. Aunt RaRa(Sarah) and Elsie were having fun hanging out on the big blow up turtle.

Uncle Dave wanted to take us on a hayride. So he borrowed a jeep and trailer from the neighbour and around the lake we went. The kids loved it.

We stopped to pick some apples while we were out on our ride.

Elsie found the perfect one.

Who needs to get them off the tree when you can pick them off the ground??

Finally Reid tries to get some off of the tree with Grandma's help.

Daddy's birthday

Nana was here for Daddy's birthday so Mommy and Daddy got to go out for dinner and a movie. Here the kids are reading everybook that we have in the family room. If its quiet in the family room, you will often find them sitting and reading. I hope that its a good sign. Reid is sporting another one of Daddy's hats. We bought daddy a griddle so he can make us pancakes on the weekends.

Waiting patiently to help with the present.

Not so patient now, getting down to business.

Playing Outside

We have been spending as much time outside as possible over the last couple of weeks. I'm dreading it getting colder and not being able to run outside easily. The kids have been trying to learn to ride their bigger bikes. Fortunately we have 2 of these tricycle like bikes. Aunt Lisa pulled one out of the garbage for the kids and the other is a hand me down from cousin Christopher. They have discovered that if they start at the top of the driveway, it is slanted enough to give them a little momentum.

Reid has started to like wearing hats when he goes outside. We don't have any that are his size, so we have tried to makedo with a couple old ones of Daddy's. He looks pretty cute with a hat on.

He did it, and he's proud.

Lost computer cord/Strolling with Strollers

So, If you have been wondering why I haven't posted any pictures lately, ask my children where the cord is to transfer pics from the camera to the computer. It went MIA, so I had to search for another one and it just wasn't at the top of the list. Its back now though so I'm catching up tonight.

I went to the Toledo Zoo almost 2 weeks ago for a program called Strolling with Strollers. We were there before the zoo opened and got to see the exhibits before there were a ton of people there. There was a guide who took us around and told us a lot about the animals that we didn't know. Its a great way to spend a few hours and its only an hour away.

I just thought this was the cutest picture. Reid just looks so curious. Like he is wondering if it is really going to move or not.Of course we had to go on the train. I'm not sure what they are looking at. I think the train is their favorite part of the zoo.
Reid checking out the giraffe on the train.

A self portrait waiting for the choo choo to start.

I always push them right up to the rail and talk about the animals. This picture has me wondering if they can even see anything. That bush looks like it is right in front of the rhino.

Checking out the sleeping orangutan.

Notre Dame

This past weekend we went to South Bend to visit with Rob's family. Rob and his brothers went to the football game with their Uncle Craig. (thank you Aunt Connie for giving up your ticket so the brothers could go together). I walked to the stadium with the guys just so the kids could see what was going on. For those of you who are reading this who haven't had the experience of going to a college football game, it is quite an experience. Lots full of people tailgating. People walking all over campus. There are some very loyal fans. Tons of stuff for the kids to look at and great people watching.

After the guys headed into the game, I walked across campus to take the kids to the pond. I knew there would be some ducks there for them to feed. We didn't get out of the stroller. I knew that would be a disaster. Luckily the ducks and swans were close enough to the edge that they could feed them from their seats.

I think that swan in front of the stroller would have come right up and taken it out of our hands They seemed pretty tame.
This is a picture of the kids in front of the Golden Dome. It is Notre Dame's famous landmark. It is on the building that is at the center of campus with a statue of the Virgin Mary on top of it.
You can see it from wherever you are on campus. I think it just has administration offices in the building now.


We also stopped at the Grotto which is by the pond. The Grotto is a cave of stones where you can pray. There are candles to light and benches to sit on. We said a prayer for our friend Tuesday while we were there.
The Grotto is just a peaceful place. No matter what craziness is going on in the world, it is just so peaceful there. When I was on bedrest, my MIL and her friend Barb came here and said a prayer for the twins and I.