Thursday, December 13, 2012

Leaf piles...they never lose their popularity!

Leaf Piles...
 
 I think jumping in leaf piles is one of those things
that kids will be doing for generations and generations :)
 
Earlier this year, Grandpa blew all of his leaves into a nice pile for jumping!
 
Blowing the leaves!

Christopher had a blast!

Throwing leaves (destroying the pile)

Pure happiness!

Reminds me of my childhood!

 
Spiderman jumped too!  and almost got lost!

Pure Happiness!

Grown ups just sit and watch, right?


Now, taking care of leaves at OUR house
is an entirely bigger project!
 
It will be nice when the boys are old enough to really help.
 
This year they were willing, but just too little!
I helped a little, but how much can a super pregnant person really do?
 
Props to Casey for all of his hard work and blisters (twice now) !


Michael trying to help


Raking piles onto a tarp...using the boys to hold the edges down!
 

"Who knew raking could be so much fun!"

The boys actually helped move the tarp!

 
And finally....hours later.....
Jumping in the pile!
 
I guess non pregnant adults don't have to just sit and watch...
Daddy joined in!


This was the first weekend - second time the pile was bigger!
 
 
And now with a running start.....

Running and Jumping!
 

Michael conquers Daddy!
 
And me?
I swept the driveway.
It lasted one day.
 
But that's a big project for a very pregnant person!
And one I regretted due to hurting arms and multiple violin gigs!
 
A clean driveway!
 
So even though raking is a VERY stinky job,
it's so worth it for the kids!
(and the kids at heart)
 
Casey did all the work - so he may disagree.
 
<>< Stacy
 



Seriously Cute!

I am so thankful that I have been feeling better this week!
Less swelling, increased energy, only minor bad dreams,
 and diminishing cold symptoms.
(coughing when 9 months pregnant is painful!)
 
So last week I felt miserable and this week I say,
"4 more weeks?  I got this!"
 
Elizabeth Annalise
moves around all the time!
Michael loves to feel her moving.
The boys are already so sweet with her.....
She gets hugs and belly kisses followed by raspberries.
(Raspberry = blowing on my baby tummy)
She might as well get used to 2 crazy older brothers!
 
 
Here are a few 'seriously cute' pictures and moments
 
Our teensy tiny Christmas tree.

The 2 cutest boys EVER!                    Headed off to church!


Me and my handsome hubby!

~~ He cleans up well ~~

Around 32 weeks pregnant
(4 weeks ago)
 
 
We recently found these 2 "monkeys" hidden in the van
(the backpack leashes, not the 2 kids....)
 
They begged to wear them in the house
and attached themselves to doorknobs.
 
I promise I didn't do this to them!  :)  

My 2 little monkeys
 

Loving on Bear

A typical "preggo pic in a mirror"
 

Doggies taking advantage of pillows being left on the floor
(and creating more laundry for me to do!)

I think this will be my first entry in,
"Easy meals for Lazy/Busy Moms"
 
Open some cans, mix in a pan, serve in tortillas.
But the kids loved it ~ especially dipping their burritos in sour cream!
 

Easy meal made on a lazy day!


Reading in bed - aren't they just adorable??

Michael leading book time and teaching colors.


Again with the monkey bookbags!
Now with sunglasses!
 
Cute and Cool!

Christopher and Spiderman
 

2 Silly litle boys!
 
And yes, that is yarn on our Christmas tree!
We didn't get out ornaments...
so Michael added some yarn he got at church.
 
 
<>< Stacy

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Recent Happenings!

A few things we have been up to lately...
 
 
Recital, Concert, and Gig season!
 
I literally have 5 gigs to play this month....
at the end of my pregnancy!
And some have multiple rehearsals and performances!
 
But so far, so good  :)
I enjoy playing, and I am grateful to have them!
 
--------------------------------------------------------------
 
2 of my sweet students (sisters)
had a mini-recital at their house!
 
What a fun evening of solos, duets, and trios!
 
Can't believe how big they are getting!
 
 
Doggie fun = Doggie torture
 
The boys have been playing with the dogs a lot more!

Bear getting some love!

Petey hiding  :)

 
A few Christmas pictures!
 
I randomly decided to get our cards out
really, really early this year,
so I quickly grabbed out these Christmas outfits
put up our little Christmas tree,
and hoped for smiles!
 
I can't wait until we get moved
and can have our 'real' Christmas decorations out again!
I LOVE Christmas decorating...
so 2 years in a row of minimalism is killing me!
 

Cute brothers!

Forcing the smiles for Mommy

"I'm so cute!"                             "I'm so funny!"

A little piece of my heart :)
 

They were just about DONE cooperating here!
 
 
We made Apple Butter!
 
We had some apples hanging around
from apple picking,
so we decided to make crock pot apple butter.
 
Everybody helped!
It turned out just like Grandma Long's
apple butter I ate when I was growing up.
 
Everyone loved it including the boys!
 
Christopher all ready to help!

Peeling apples

This just makes me laugh!

Christopher is always eating...
and Michael is always making faces

Mommy was peeling apples for Daddy to cut

A full Crock Pot!

Adding the flavor.......

* Watching *

The next day:  Apple Butter!
 
 
YUM!
 
<>< Stacy
 

 A pink cupcake for Elizabeth!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Pumpkin Fun: Part 2

Go to Pumpkin Fun: Part 1 to see how we
had fun with pumpkins before Halloween.
 
And lastly.........
we roasted our un-carved pumpkins
at the end of November
and turned them into PUMPKIN BUTTER!
 
YUM!
 
What are you doing NOW Daddy?

Very interested little boys.

He loves to help!


A project best followed by some
chocolate, chocolate chip cookies 
and hot chocolate with marshmallows!
 
"Cheese!  Can we drink it now?"

:)


I caught a pic of Michael teaching Petey to Dance.
Poor, poor Petey.
 

Dog torture.

Picking him up, too ?
 
 
We have a fair share of cat torture here, too,
but this time she made her OWN bed
in Michael's little hiding spot.
 
 
I'll just say here that 2 little boys, 2 dogs,
1 cat, and 2 gerbils keep me very, very busy.
 
But it's fun....
 
<>< Stacy