Christmas

This Christmas we were very blessed to go back home for the Holidays. We were able to spend two full weeks enjoying all our family and friends. Before we left I had to take the traditional family pic in front of our tree, Derek and Allee humor me with this and I know they think it is silly, but otherwise I don't get pictures in their Christmas outfits!

I thought this was an excellent picture with Santa, Pierce wasn't even screaming. He was only willing to sit on Santa's lap because he was giving out suckers, his favorite right now.

Christmas Eve and Gra and Papa's. It was so nice to spend the whole evening with our family. The kids were able to play with Livie and we were able to play cards and enjoy adult conversation.

Christmas Preparations

I love decorating the tree. It is one of the most exciting parts of the day after Thanksgiving, especially here since I wasn't able to go to the Black Friday madness. The only sad part was we had to use our artificial tree. There aren't many evergreens here and usually we go up to Idaho and cut one down ourselves. It is a good stand by though and I am grateful that we have it. I had bought a bunch of new decorations last year at the after Christmas sale at Tai Pan so I was thrilled to pull them out and see how they looked.

Derek ALWAYS puts the angel on top.

This year Allee was very helpful and very meticulous. She rearranged the ornaments for a week making sure they were just right.


Pierce was just excited that we let him help (thank heaven for shatterproof ornaments!) The bottom branches were beautiful thanks to him, and very heavy.

Today was a big day, Santa sent Allee and Pierce letters in the mail.

Allee was all smiles especially when Santa told her that he might be leaving gifts for her in Utah and Missouri, because he knew she was flying on an airplane and couldn't take big things back with her. Who wouldn't be excited it's like two Christmas'!

Pierce just kept pointing to the picture of Santa on the top and saying, "HoHo".

On Saturday we took a trip to Springfield to walk around the mall and eat some good food, we ate at Olive Garden and afterwards I was taking Allee to the restroom. We came back and Pierce was squirmy and talking all excitedly about something. I turned around to see a man across the restaurant wearing red with a white beard and hair. Pierce kept saying, "HoHo" over and over again and then waved at the man. "Santa" was a good sport and waved back. I am guessing this isn't the first time it has happened to him, and certainly not the last, I mean he really looked like Santa. This was not a quiet exchange, it had grabbed the attention of at least three tables around us and our waitress who thought it was the cutest thing ever, I agree with her. We didn't point the man out, Pierce just found him. I love the sweet innocence of children and the excitement and magic of this season!

NEW MOON

AAAAHHHHHH! (It really is unfortunate that you can't really appreciate my excited scream!)

I can't say enough about how wonderful New Moon is. I was fortunate enough to fly home to see the movie (thanks again Becky!!). It was a whirlwind trip, but I loved every moment.

Thursday Becky picked me up from the airport VERY early and we spent the whole day preparing for her New Moon premier party. It was so fun to be all giddy about the movie and all the events leading up to it all day.

I think that by far the biggest hit of the party were these:

Really, who doesn't want to have their picture taken with these two hotties?
Our little TWILIGHT group was super excited to pose with them. Shanelle, Katie, Christy, Myself, Hailey, Stephanie, and Mom. (Notice the Twilight shirt? I picked it up just for the occasion, and I LOVE it). After eating, chatting, and playing an amazing trivia game (yes everyone in our party won prizes, we are that good!) we were off to the movie.

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!! By the way did I mention that I loved the movie? It was so much better than the first, and I really can't begin to explain all the awesomness. I know I sound like a giddy high school girl, but isn't that the point? To have something that you can just be crazy silly about. I won't go into details, but I will be seeing it multiple times and definitely pre-ordering the DVD.

It was a wonderful trip and I feel so blessed to have been able to come home and join the excitement with all of my family and friends. Words cannot express how much I needed this and how it really rejuvenated my spirit. Thanks again to everyone who made it possible. And a big thanks to Derek for taking the time off work so I could go be crazy. I know he thinks I am a little obsessed, but it is all in good fun and even though he mocks me I know he secretly supports my addiction!

Shanelle also gave me this, and it is so beyond words that even though I know it is delicious chocolate, I can't bring myself to open it. OOO, I just had a thought maybe I will save it for when I get my DVD, then I will be blissfully enjoying two things that make me very happy.

I know it is blurry, but I couldn't figure out the camera. It says I crev edward cold mint. Too cute right?!

Springfield Zoo

This weekend we ventured down to the Springfield Zoo. It really isn't that long of a drive, about an hour and twenty minutes and WOW was it worth it.

First of all, there is a little place where you can feed some goats and a donkey. Allee absolutely loved it. She was so excited and kept asking for more money to get food for them. Pierce on the other hand was entirely the opposite. This boy usually has no fear, but as soon as the goats walked up to him he was literally climbing over my shoulder to get away from them. Anytime I would walk close to the fence he would freak out and start squirming and whining. It was so odd, I thought he would love them. And as you can see by our pictures, he is so stubborn right now, I never get a good picture of him, that little turkey.

The other great thing about this zoo is how close the animals are. We took this picture without even zooming. The elephants were right there, it was so interesting. Allee was able to see up close their skin texture and we were all watching in amazement as they fed themselves, it really is odd how they can move their trunks like that! The giraffes were the same, and Allee really loved being that close to all the animals, she was interested in ALL of them and we were not able to pass anything by without a closer examination.

After the zoo we explored the town, and let me say I found my refuge from the small town life here in Clinton. The mall was huge and even had a Yankee Candle store. I think it is the biggest mall I have ever been in. We spent three hours walking around and never even saw the whole thing. There are a bizillion restaurants (YAY), we decided to eat at Red Robin because we knew the kids would eat well there. I realize that it is little far away, but when we really want a good dinner or want to do some Christmas or birthday shopping, viola, we now have stores!

The Princess and the Fire Man

Happy Halloween!

This year trick or treating was quite an experience. We have never been away from home and we didn't know quite what we would do. Thankfully the Heck's invited us to go trick or treating with them. ( Thanks Angie for being proactive).

We met together after dinner and went around their neighborhood. We had a great time talking and Allee was glad to have someone to go knock on doors with, she was much less timid than she would have been with just Derek and I. We went around for about an hour and by then the kids were getting tired and cold. It was so great to have someone to go with, the kids had friends and Derek and I had friends to visit with as well.

Allee the ever beautiful Aurora. I think this is my favorite costume EVER. Allee looked so beautiful in all the pink and she was really fun this year, she even said trick or treat AND thank you at most of the houses, and if you know Allee when she gets in a new situation, that is a major milestone.
Pierce was really funny this year. He would walk up to the doors, and if you tried to carry him he would just squirm and say, "walk". He would march right up to the door and say "treat-me", quickly grab as many treats as allowed, and most times a few extras before I could grab his hand, turn and look for the next house. I couldn't help but laugh a little at each house at his reaction. When we got home he went through his pumpkin and as he picked up each piece he would say either, "candy, or M&M". I can't believe how much he has changed since we moved.

We really missed going around to our family and friends and seeing everyone we loved, but all in all it was a good Halloween and we really appreciate the Heck's for taking us in.