Looks like an elf just drowned a baby reindeer..

Jodi has an idea that if you put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving then an elf drowns a baby reindeer... I guess we are to blame because we decorated our tree a few days early this year. Every year Tommy works a 1/2 week (Sun-Wed) before Thanksgiving, so the boys and I always decorate the tree while Tommy's gone, then we can just enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend with him. But this year he helped us carry the Christmas tree up and before we knew it we were decorating it. I have to say it was really nice to have it done. First time in years Tommy helped decorate the tree - He doesn't love Christmas like we do. But he's trying harder and being much better about all of it.

Tyson just liked to line all the Scooby-Doo ornaments up.
He also put all of them on one little branch.

Running with Dad

Tommy was getting ready to go running and both boys started begging to go with him. So they got their beanies and gloves on and went for a mile run. They are awesome!!

1st snow of the season

Yes, I've been a little... lot of a ba humbug about winter coming. But I have to say seeing my boys' faces light up when they saw the snow outside sure did help me come around to the idea of winter coming. Sometimes I wish I could go back to being a kid again, running around in the snow in your shorts and loving the 1/2 inch of snow on the ground, how would it be?! At least I can find joy in watching them play.Noah's first snowman of the season.

They were using the cardboard as a sled until most of the snow disappeared. And yes they do have real sleds, but evidently it was to much work to get them out.

Cooper didn't want to get his picture taken, so this was the best I could do.

If we have a year with a ton of snow we can blame it all on Noah. I'm sure every night he is praying that it will snow 5 feet!

Cooper's a Star Student

Gotta love Kindergarten! They do such a good job of making sure each kid feels special. Every week they have one star student and they get to do "everything" (according to Cooper), they get to have a poster hung up in the classroom that's all about them and they get to be "line leader" which is a big deal I guess. After school on Monday I asked Cooper how it was being the star student and with a deep sigh he says, "Mom it's exhausting!" ... I can only imagine what a hard day it must have been. He sure does love all the extra attention though. Here's a picture of him with his poster.

Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is the redeeming quality of the scouting program for me. Yes, I'm working on changing my attitude especially watching how much fun the boys have! Since our ward split we didn't have many boys so they invited parents and siblings to make a car to race at the end. This news brought a huge smile to Cooper's face... and I ran to Roberts to buy another car (that was pre-cut since there was no one around to cut it). The boys helped with most of the painting and decorating, but I had to put the wheels in, which is always the worst part! This year we went more for style than function (at least that's what we're telling Noah) because he stunk it up this year. But he had a great time, and a great attitude! He's already making plans for a more arrow dynamic car for next year. In fact now he wants 'art stuff' for Christmas so he can draw his car out. I love my boys!!!Tommy Jr #1 and Tommy Jr #2

Noah's car

Cooper's car

My boys

Awards! They do such a great job of making sure all the boys feel special.

Grandma and Grandpa made the trip out to watch the boys.
Thanks for coming!!!

Happy Halloween

At the end of the day Noah said, "Mom, I thought this was going to be the worst Halloween, but it was the best ever!" I don't think it was the best ever, but I think he did a pretty good job of summing Halloween up this year. With Tommy and I getting in from our trip the night before Halloween, and Tommy flying out again Halloween morning I had been prepping the boys for not a 'normal' Halloween (I don't think our family ever has a normal Halloween though). So after a great day at school, and some dinner we headed out to trick or treat for 1 hr with Tyson. That was a disaster. He wanted to stop and look at everything... rock, flower, dog!! After 6 houses Noah and Cooper were so frustrated and tired of wait for their brother. So our friend Mark took them with his boys Miles and Evan. I was so grateful. Tyson was totally happy passing out candy and Noah and Cooper got a bucket full of candy! Then my Mom and Kiara stopped by so we had some mini carameled apples and muddy buddies. Even though we missed having Tommy around this year it was a lot of fun. Noah and Cooper on their way to school

Tyson wanting to go to school

Two Mummies ready for trick or treating... not sure why Cooper was wearing gloves, it was the warmest Halloween in years.

The gang

The loot

Halloween Party

The boys really wanted to have friends over for a Halloween party and we couldn't argue with them. So he had our good friends the Hamilton's and the Willard's over (Tommy was friends with them in High School... so it's fun to still be getting together). I think that's why I love holidays so much, it's a great excuse to get friends together, party, and eat lots of yummy high in calorie food and not feel guilty! Evan, Miles, Noah, and Cooper

Crew, Tyson, Evan, Miles, Noah, Cooper, Cy, and Bella
(poor Bella was totally out numbered)

Playing Moster Mash Musical Pumpkins

Best Halloween treat ever. You use a melon baller to get round pieces of apple, put a toothpick in them and then let people dip them in caramel, oreos, sprinkles, and whatever else you like. They are just mini carameled apples. So yummy!