christmas tree

We decided to change our tradition this year, and we got a fake tree. We travel during lots of Christmas's and we come home to a very dry tree which seems to be a big fire hazard. So this year, since we are flying out before Christmas, and we wanted to maximize the time we could enjoy the tree, we went to Costco instead of the tree lot. We picked out a 9 footer- it looked pretty small in the warehouse, but takes up a majority of our front room, and grazes the peak of the ceiling. And we've been burning a Yankee Candle to make the house smell like a fresh tree- yes, a new fire hazard.

jingle bells

christmas list

Owen is catching on to this whole Christmas thing. They decorated a tree in front of the courthouse with ornaments they made at daycare. Owen loves singing Jingle Bells, and yesterday sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. He even told Richard he had a gift list, which he has kept consistant for a few days:

- a Frosty the Snowman book (they read that in school)

- a purple present and

- a purple ball.

We aren't sure what he means by the "purple present"- when we've asked for more details, he explains that it is a circle.

thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, joined by Kristi who drove in from Washington with her sons Jackson and Henry and a friend, my parents, and my sister's family. Richard cooked a great turkey, we had the usual starches for side dishes, and pie for dessert.

Kristi spent the weekend with us and we did our 2nd annual post Thanksgiving pilgrimage to the Newport aquarium. It was great to have our families together.

Owen loved spending time with Jackson, who is 4. He doesn't usually have the opportunity to play with an older boy, and followed Jackson everywhere. Henry just turned 2- he has grown so much since we saw him in the spring.

My parents DROVE out to Oregon from Virginia in a rental truck full of things from our childhood, plus some furniture for Owen and Laurel. They flew back home after the weekend, but will be back for Christmas and all of January (long enough to help unpack some of those boxes).

dress-up

Lots of dress-up in November. Owen tried on Dad's biking glasses- the first pictures are from before we cut his hair and I think he is so cute!!

Owen had renewed interest in his monkey costume from last year after seeing Laurel in it. He wore it around the house several days in a row. Which is appropriate because we call him the "monkey boy." (We will say, are you cute?, and he says, No! I'm a monkey boy!)

Laurel tried on Owen's Halloween costume from this year- a little Elvis suit. Owen has yet to wear it. My dad also was Elvis- he tried on Richard's Elvis suit, in preparation for a 60's themed birthday party.

The final pictures are with Owen and my mom- Owen is wearing Paddington Bear's yellow hat.

busted

So I bought a couple of pairs of new shoes last week- one that Richard knew about- a pair of flats, and one that he didn't know about- a pair of heels. Owen and Richard were reading the paper, and Owen pointed to a picture of shoes and said- those look like Mom's new shoes! And Richard said- yes, her new shoes sitting over there- pointing to my shoes on the floor. Owen said- no, not those shoes her OTHER new shoes, and walked around on his tip-toes, demonstrating how you walk in heels.

I was busted by my 2 year old son. I bet a daughter would have kept my secret.

a holiday message

I have a lot to update from November, but first, here's a holiday message from the McManus family:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1129604763