Trimming the tree '09

November 30, 2009 - It is our family tradition to put up the Christmas tree and break out all the other Christmas decorations the Monday night after Thanksgiving for Family Home Evening. The kids are always so excited when we get out the ornaments. Some are things they've made at school in years past, some are hand-me-downs from my mom and grandma, and some of the fanciest are beautiful hand-made ones from my step-mom, Leona. I'll have to remember to get some close-ups of the ornaments next year. Anway, the kids all have their favorites, and by the time we are done, our poor little tree is leaning to one side from all of their loving donations to its limbs! (I usually take a moment to rearrange somewhat afterwards!) I love that our tree has these special ornaments, though. It doesn't look a thing like a Christmas tree you'd see in a Martha Stewart magazine - all color coordinated with a special theme. It is very mis-matched, and hodge-podge, but full of wonderful memories. I love that each ornament is special for one reason or another and they add up to make our own very unique Christmas tree.

Here we go!

Becca is my garland assistant - she knows how to get it wrapped around the tree just right!

Cameron is still young enough that I don't think he remembered much about Christmases past. He acted like all of this was new and exciting - which made it all very fun!

Trister, carefully placing an ornament on the tree.

The finished project!

The down side of fall

November 27, 2009 - I love fall. I have probably mentioned that before. I love the beautiful colors and the peacefully falling leaves. That is probably mostly due to the fact that I just look at and enjoy them, and leave them there for my husband to clean up! =) Our backyard trees are HUMONGOUS and are always the last to lose their leaves. So after cleaning up the front yard and waiting and waiting - the trees in the back finally decided to drop their huge load of leaves into our yard.

I did actually help out this year - a little! But Tristan did most of the work, with his side-kick, Becca!

Becca made me come out just to take this picture of her in her little leaf cave!

Well, we're all cleaned up for now, until the beautiful - and time-consuming process starts again next fall!

Thanksgiving at the Hanson's

November 26, 2009 - Whew, I still am only to Thanksgiving! I need to get my rear in gear! Anyway, we celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents' house this year, and had a lovely time. We decided to take this lovely shot BEFORE the kids could spill all over themselves:

Tristan being silly - pretending to drink out of my Mom's new fountain!

The "after" turkey relaxing

And a whole bunch of cute kids on a swing!


I have to say, one of the highlights of this Thanksgiving I unfortunately did not capture on film. My parent's dog Charlie is very fond of people food, and has little to no self control. So as soon as everyone started clearing out of the dining room and kitchen, he was on the prowl. The little kids had a smaller, more easily accesible table they sat at that was left unattended. So Charlie decided to check it out - just as I was walking back into the kitchen. He had one leg up on a chair and was "going in" - I surprised him when I told him to get down, and his paw got stuck in the lacey tablecloth. So as he tried to get out of there before he got in trouble, he took the table cloth, and all the contents of the little kid table with him (including a full can of soda). I was so shocked at what had actually just happened, that it took me a minute to process before I realized how very funny it all was. It was truly one of those moments you wish you just happened to have caught on video - I would have won one of those Home video shows for sure! (Are those even on anymore?)

Anyway, Thanks Charlie for the memory!

New Moon Premiere night!

November 20, 2009 - Well here we are again - a bunch of crazed Twilight fans at a movie premiere night! ALthough I have to say, Jennie must be the most "crazed" of us all - she moved away to New York since our last Twilight movie night, and FLEW TO COLORADO TO SEE NEW MOON WITH US!! Jennie, you are crazy, and we love you!! =) Anyway, I still haven't decided if I like the movie or not, I need to see it again to decide, but we had a blast either way!

Waiting in line for over an hour!

Meeting Ashley out front with her miracle ticket! (Long story short, the theater ran out of tickets online before Ashley could get one, we all cried and were very sad, and then Kirsten saved the day, by going to the theater in person and threatening the manager! Just joking! She did actually go to the theater, though, very politely, and was told they save some tickets at the box office that are not available online! So Kirsten got a ticket for Ashley and SAVED THE DAY!! - Kirsten, you are my hero!)

Here we are, anxiously awaiting the moment when the lights go down! Kirsten (and Sam), Jennie, me, and Ashley.

Now we only have to wait 4 more months for our next girls night/ premiere!

November 20, 2009 - Becca's class put on a little play called "Rainbow Crow". She played a possum. Here are some pictures from the performance:

It was really cute - good job, Becca!

November 14, 2009 - This is just one of many examples of Becca being the ring-leader of our little band of kids! She is always planning some creative concert, or campout, or play, or anything imaginative. And only occasionally does everyone cooperate and go along with her plans. This is one of those rare moments when the universe was alligned just right, and they all are playing together and happy. I thought it was definitely worth documenting!

(I don't even know what exctly they are playing here - I figured too much meddling and the universe would un-allign!)

Preschool Field trip to Santa's Workshop

November 9, 2009 - We got to go on a really fun field trip (for free!) with Cameron's preschool class to Santa's Workshop!

Here are some pictures of the kiddos having fun with our friends, the Langes. Becca and Hatcher

Reese, Tris, Hudson, and Hunter

Ok, this one is kind of gross - they all decided to try to get their tongues stuck to the North Pole. Surprisingly, none of them turned up with any major illness later!

Reese and Santa

Grammy came along to help with crowd control!

And here is the whole group in Santa's sleigh!