The Finished Product

They turned out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself :)

Christmas Craft - Part II

We are getting there.  The salt dough ornaments are baked and little by little the painting is getting done.  Max was in heaven painting tonight.  He thought it was so much fun!  He did a pretty good job - more paint ended up on the ornaments than on him. 

Now our santa's just need cute little faces, some modge podge, and a ribbon and they will be ready for the tree.  So much fun!

Salt Dough Fun

Little by little we are preparing for the holiday.  Last weekend Brian hung the Christmas lights outside - Max was so excited!  Every time we see Christmas lights he chants 'Chrismas Lights, Christmas Lights, Ho, Ho, Ho'.  It is the cutest thing ever because I remember doing that when I was little.  Will seems to like the lights as well - he jibber jabbers, but doesn't quite have the chant down yet.

Today Max and I worked on a fun little Christmas craft.  Who knows how it will turn out but he had lots of fun using the mixer to make his salt ornament dough and I think he had even more fun rolling out the dough.

Will was pretty cranky and just wanted to rest with his blankie.  He did at least give me his hand for his print. 

As I type the ornaments are baking in the oven.  I decided that Max has really big hands.  Hopefully once we paint and glaze them they will turn out pretty cute. 

I love the holidays - and spending them with the kids makes it even better!

Here Comes Santa Claus

Yesterday was a wonderful day!  We headed to one of our favorite places - the Museum of Transportation - to see the big man in the red suit.  It also worked out that we met some friends that were in town for the holiday and Nonna and Nonno joined us too! 

The boys were enthralled by the holiday train exhibit.  They could have stood there and watched it go round and round for hours.  Then it was time for the main event.  Neither boy was too sure about the whole Santa thing.  Will was okay looking at him from the safety of Nonna's arms.

Max warmed enough to tell Santa that he wants some new cars for Christmas.  It was pretty cute to watch.  We were only about the fifth people to see Santa, so he was in really good spirits. 

Will on the other hand was not going to warm up to Santa.  It was okay with Nonna right there holding him, but as soon as she tried to hand him off all bets were off.  To Santa's credit, he tried to calm Will down by showing him his cool Christmas book, but Will just wasn't having it. 

Things looked up for Will as we waited for the miniature train.  Even though it was crazy cold both boys loved the train ride.  I think the grown ups felt the cold more than the kids.

We wrapped up or adventure with some time in the creation station.  Every time we visit Will seems to enjoy things more and more.  He also tends to latch on to one toy - this trip it was the green plastic phone from the house area.  He held on to that thing for dear life.  Good thing mommy doesn't freak out too much about germs - but I swear I really did try to make him keep it out of his mouth. 

So Thankful

There are so many things we have to be thankful for, top of the list of course are these two beautiful boys.  They challenge me, make me laugh, and make me crazy all at the same time.  I wouldn't trade a moment with them for anything - well except maybe a decent picture where they are both looking at the camera and smiling.

The boys had so much fun playing with their cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Max didn't want anything to do with me and the camera, but my nephew was more than willing to pose as they caused mischief behind the chair.  Their giggles were too funny and a tell tale sign that they were having lots of fun together.

Will loved the turkey but then he was ready for a nap.  Unfortunately with all the excitement around, sleep was tough to come by.  He was too smitten with Great Grandpa Ray. The two of them played games across the room.  It was too cute and I'm not sure who had more fun, Great Grandpa or Will.   He did relax for a bit to snuggle with Grandma but it was short lived.

We did get the cousins to sit still long enough for a picture with Grandma and Grandpa.  I guess getting the kids all to smile would have been asking for a bit too much.

Mid afternoon we were off to Nonna and Nonno's house.  Both boys napped in the car which was nice.  While there may not have been any cousins to play with there was still plenty of excitement and fun to be had.  In fact momma was so busy that I didn't really get any pictures.  I'll have to make up for that at Christmas.  It will be here before we know it! 

Thanksgiving Preparations

On Wednesday the kids and I headed over to help Nonna prepare for Thanksgiving dinner.  In between prepping potatoes, baking pies, and dealing with a minor plumbing emergency, we squeezed in time to enjoy a little holiday fun - the Gardenland Express the the Garden.

Max and Nonna worked hard to find all the items on the scavenger hunt list.  I think the Santa was the toughest.  Trying to find a two inch Santa in midst of the beautiful exhibit was a challenge. 

Of course Max was thrilled to see all of the trains.  He ran from one train to the next getting more and more excited.  He was also getting more and more frustrated as Mommy tried to take his pictures.  I have a bunch with faces similar to this.  Someday I will get nice genuine smiles from my biggest man again.

Will seemed to enjoy the outing as well, although only if he was in the safety of his stroller and his blanket.  He got a bit overwhelmed when I tried to get him out of the stroller.  There were a lot of people around!

It was a great way to jump start our holiday season.  I just love this time of year, and with the boys it is even more fun!

Happy Belated Hallowen



The Dull Men

I know I'm about a week late on this, sorry about that.   Halloween was actually pretty uneventful.  We headed over to see Grandpa Jack and Uncle Tim. 

Will was in great spirits but Max was crazy cranky, and I think we figured out why when he fell asleep in the car on the way home.  Poor little guy didn't even get to go trick or treating.  Good thing he brought home quite the haul from school to make up for it.

Max demonstrating the spooky face we should carve into our pumpkin

The night before Halloween was pretty fun for Max.  He got to work with daddy to make a spooky jack o lantern.  He was too funny showing us what a spooky pumpkin should look like.  He told me to take a picture of his spooky face, so we would know how to carve the pumpkin.  

Daddy thought that the Internet would be a bit more helpful in coming up with a spooky face.  I swear Brian was very careful with that knife and Max wasn't quite as close as he looks.

It turned out pretty spooky if I do say so myself.  All in all another great holiday.  I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving in just a few weeks!