Deck the Halls!

Yesterday, after much deliberation, we went to a tree farm to purchase a real live tree. Originally we were going to put up an artificial tree, however, I just love the whole tradition of going out and cutting down your own tree. Plus, who can't resist that fresh cut Christmas tree smell? I know I can't. I'm planning on hauling out all of our decorations today. I seem to be surprised every year we bring them out. There is always something I forgot we had and I get to relive that excitement of getting something new all over again. This must be what people with memory problems feel like.

Tim and I were fortunate enough to escape this madness for a moment in time. Last night we went up to Seattle to see Brandi Carlile. First we met our friends Richard and April who live up in Lakeland Hills. We carpooled with them to Anthony's Restaurant. Where we met another good friend of ours, Jason. We enjoyed wonderful food and company. After dinner we went to Benaroya Hall to see Brandi with the Seattle Symphony. Tim and I have been fans of Brandi's for some time now, but this was our first concert of hers. Let me tell you, we were blown away! It was awesome. I can't believe how much better she is live, not to mention with the Seattle Symphony behind her. Thanks Jason for scoring us the tickets.

All in all we enjoyed a lovely extended weekend. So sorry to see it end. Well, time to deck the halls with boughs of holly.

Happy Birthday Mother! A Day belated.

Whenever I hear a Bette Midler song it brings me back to my childhood. The days of riding in my mother's car on the way to our cabin at the beach in late August (when the summer really started). My sister Sally, my mother, and I would sing "under the boardwalk" with the windows rolled down, feeling that warm ocean air brush against our faces. Or even exercising with my mother at "the club" (this is what we called the gym at our house). The very first time I listened to this actual song was there in the locker room. I was brushing my hair after a swim and my mother turned to us girls (my three sisters and I) and said, " I love this new song by Bette Midler" and we sat there listening and singing along. I would come to hear that song many times as my mother enjoyed it. That is just a glimpse of how my mother influenced my life and the way I mother my children now. I look back and think how wonderful a childhood I had! This is due a great deal to my mother (and father, but it's not his birthday so sorry dad). I wouldn't give anything to change it one bit. She was and still is such a warm and caring mother, thanks mom. Happy Birthday!

Love Always your daughter,

Katie Anne

Sex Changes, Naughty Two Year Olds, and Juicing

My last post stated that we had two brothers (kittens) Edgar and Po. Well after publishing that post, I took them to the Vet. for their first shots and was surprised to hear that Po is a girl. So apparently we have a brother and sister. I know this totally throws your world upside down, but try and relax everything will be ok.

I don't know what was with Lily this last Friday, but whatever it was I'm glad to see she's back to her original self. It all started when I put her down for her afternoon nap. Well, apparently she was not tired enough to just lay there and sleep. This is not abnormal usually she plays a bit and then goes back to bed for her nap. However, on Friday she decided to use the little potty I have in her room to go Number 2. I am ok and pleased with the fact she knows to get up and use it, what I'm not pleased with is that she doesn't do such a great job with the clean up and wiping of herself. So, when I went back up to check on her, I found what should have been wiped and put in the potty everywhere! I cleaned and disinfected everything, changed her, and put her back down. 15 min. later I noticed she hadn't gone to sleep yet so upstairs I went. This time I found all of her picture frames (pictures inside) along with some choice stuffed animals in the fish tank. Lovely. After cleaning all of that up and trying to save any pictures I can, I decided to just lay her on the couch down stairs and put on a movie, hoping she'd fall asleep that way. I left the room for probably two min. max and returned to her coloring with a Sharpie on pretty much anything she could get her little hands on. I just don't know how she could have done all that in the time given. As soon as I left the room she must have found the Sharpie, ran over to the computer, grabbed paper from the printer drawn quite the intricate picture, drawn a quick doodle on the couch, given herself a beautiful face painting, and finished with a circular picture on a toy. And all of that in just minutes. This just confirms the fact that she really is fast. I probably should be more upset, but I'm kind of impressed. I just hope this is not a glimpse of whats to come.

I finally received my Jack La Lanne juicer I've been waiting for. I absolutely love it! I can't think of any other way to say it other then, I'm hooked on the juice! I love a little (ok a lot) of fresh juice in the morning to wake me up and give me that energy I need. My current favorite combo is Carrot/Apple/Grape. Yum, yum, yum, deliciouso! Yep took that from Dora the Explorer, jealous?

With this cooler weather and holiday season approaching, I find myself lighting a fire in our fireplace more often. I just love a warm fire burning at home. I also love the idea that it saves us on our energy bill as well. All in all it's a win, win, win. I think I may just put up our Christmas tree and decor before Thanksgiving. Well, ok that may be a little too ambitious, but I am going to try and phase out the fall while bringing in the Christmas. I just can't wait. I don't know what it is this year, but I'm really feeling the Christmas Spirit early. Maybe it's the Peppermint Americano I've taken a fancy to.

Oh Brothers Edgar and Po!

With all of the pure craziness that goes on here from day to day, we have decided to add a little more to our lives. Enter Edgar and Po. We picked up these two brothers and we've been completely smitten by these kittens from day one. I know, kind of cheesy, but I had to do it. Any who they keep us happy and fill our lives with constant humor.

I'm in the process of painting Lily's big girl bed, with help from Janet (my mother-in-law) and Christine (sister-in-law). So far, they've done the majority of the work. Thanks girls! I am really looking forward to the end result. Good bye crib!

Jack is growing sooo fast! He is starting to take the beginning "zombie steps" . If you've ever seen a baby take their first steps, you know what I'm talking about. For those unfortunate few, it's pretty self explanatory.

Last Sat. we had our Christmas Tree Farm pictures taken. We were blessed with wonderful weather and good spirits. The children, Tim, and I all put our best duds on and headed out to the farm. I was a little nervous considering the last time we did this. Our previous picture outing was at Marris Farms for our pumpkin pictures. It was just not a good picture day for any of us. Except Tim. That man never takes a bad picture! Argh, annoying:) So, I was rocking a new haircut still not sure how to style, Lily decided she would not be photographed, and Jack just wanted to get down and put his mouth all over the pumpkins. Needles to say we only purchased a few pix of the children and Tim. So, as we were taking these new Christmas pix the photographer kept telling us things like, "ooh, awesome shot!", "good one!", and "perfect!" I felt myself thinking, does he tell this to everyone and did he say these same empty complements last time? Not sure, he seemed very convincing, unless I'm just hopeful and wanted to believe:) Oh well, time will tell. We should be getting our proofs emailed to us by the end of the day today. Scary...