Christmas

Christmas for us was spread out a little this year, so it was very nice.  We spent Christmas Eve at my mom and dad's, and my sister got to fly in for a few days.  We ate dinner, sang songs, and my dad read from the Bible.  Then we opened presents from each other.  We've been celebrating like this since I was little, but we used to do it at my grandma's with aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.  With all of us expanding our families, and my grandparents getting older, we've all started it as a tradition at our own homes.  

Christmas morning Santa brought the boys bikes and they got to open presents from us.  

Then we headed over to Chris's parents to open presents and eat with them.

After a good nap, all of the grandparents came over to see what the boys got.

Then the day after, we went back to my parents' for lunch with my sister before she left, and with my grandparents.

By Saturday we were exhausted, so we took down the Christmas tree and decorations to make room for our new goodies.

Catching Up

So, this post is getting caught up since my last one.  A lot has gone on, but I've just had a hard time finding the time to do this.  And, since I got a new computer for Christmas (the new Mac Book), there has been a lot of set up, and not a lot of doing.  Not that I'm complaining!

So, Chris made it safely home and has been busy at work.  He spends his time between the building site (not yet completed, but he's getting his tools and machinery in), a trailer on the site, and the temporary office.  We feel so blessed that he has a wonderful job.

Both boys had a "Mini Feast" for Thanksgiving at their preschool, and Caden's class did a little performance.  

Then, we had my parents, Chris's parents, his brother, Tina, and our niece all over for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was nice to have just one dinner this year, and to spend it with everyone here.

The day after Christmas we put up our tree, decorations and outside lights.

The boys are so excited this year.  Caleb says "It's Christmastime Mommy" everywhere we go when he sees lights, trees, and all of the decorations.  Caden is counting down the days with an advent calendar from Playmobil, complete with a new toy each day to complete a pirate set.  He can't wait for Santa to come, and tells Caleb about it every day-how we'll leave cookies and milk, that he's going to leave presents under the tree and in their stockings.  He likes to get the presents out from under the tree, too, to see who they're for and count how many he has.  We even got some snow this week, which makes it feel more like Christmastime.  The boys had a blast playing in it, for the little time before it melted, but enjoyed the hot chocolate after more. 

Last week we made and decorated a gingerbread house (and stayed in our pajamas all day!).  I got a great kit from Sam's Club with the pieces for the house, the frosting, candy, and 6 snowman ornaments.  We plan to make and decorate cookies before Christmas, but I need a little break from baking for a few days, after making gifts, and potluck items for the past week or so.

Then this week at school, the boys each had a book exchange in their class, and Caleb's class decorated cookies.  Caden learned about Israel this month, which included the story of Jesus's birth.  Caleb learned about the story too.  They get so much out of school-we are so blessed to have them both in such a great school.

We can't wait for Christmas!  We hope you all have a great Christmas, and remember the reason to celebrate-the birth of Jesus Christ.

Daddy's Coming Home!

That's right! Chris will be home tonight! I remember when he left, thinking 2 months would be SOOOOOOO long. Believe it or not, it's gone pretty fast. It helps that we've kept pretty busy, thanks to school, soccer, and some wonderful grandparents and friends who have had dinners and play dates with us (thanks Jess and Kristi :)!). So, needless to say we are very excited. Every morning this week, the first thing Caden has said (as soon as he comes out of his room when he wakes up) is "How many more days Mommy?". And when I asked Caleb this morning what we were doing tonight, he said "Daddy!" with a huge smile. Then he said "Airplane come down with Daddy". It's hard to believe it's here! I can't wait!

Halloween

This year was a busy Halloween for us!
Wednesday night we visited a friends' house who put up Halloween villages from Department 56-a brave thing with small children! They were amazing! It takes a lot of time to do that.
Then, we made our way to a Fall Carnival at another friends' house, as part of their weekly Bible study. Caden had to be Batman and Caleb a frog, even though I bought them other costumes. Caden found a Batman pajama shirt with a cape in the dress up clothes, and got a mask after one of his soccer games, and just had to be that. And Caleb found his frog costume with his stuffed animals and (since frogs are his absolute favorite-he is always "hop, hop, hop"ing around) had to be that. We compromised, knowing they'd have time to wear the ones I bought.
Then on Friday we went to a friend's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese, and everyone got to dress up for that. This time they wanted to be the pirates I bought (but Caden is Captain Hook-see the hook!). Then that night we headed to another friends' house for some nice soups and chiles ("Mummy" dogs for the kiddos), then out for Trick or Treating. Caden had a wonderfu time with his friends. Every time they went to a door they said, "Trick or Treat, smell my feet" then "Thank you and Happy Halloween" after they got their candy. Caleb was a trooper and walked almost the whole way (we were gone an hour) and didn't want any help with his bag that was almost as big as him. If I tried to help, he would say, "No, mine mommy!". All of the kids had such a great time. I, on the other hand, am still exhausted!

Mr. Potato Head Pumpkins

Here are the promised pictures of our decorated pumpkins. I got the kits at Target. Not easy for the kiddos to do by themselves, but fun anyway. And, you can wash, store and use next year! And next time, we'll get bigger pumpkins! But cute anyway, huh!

Pumpkin Patches

Last week the boys both went to the Pumpkin Patch at their school. Each year the church has its own little pumpkin patch to raise money for the church, and each class gets to go.A bumpy oneA double one-and right in front of Caden's eyes!Caden's pickCaden and his friend MiaCaden and Mia holding hands during story timeCaden and Mia sharing a "look"!

Caleb saying "Cheese"
Caleb with all of the pumpkins
Caleb's pickWalking back to class with his pumpkin

Then today, the boys and I went with my dad to Wagner's farm's pumpkin patch in Corrales-going all of the way to McCall's just didn't sound as fun without daddy this year. But, it was a great time-not too far, and not too much. We started in a corn maze-which was a lot of work for mommy and Grandpa Jerry! But, we managed to find our way out. Then we saw a few animals, and the boys played in the "cornbox"-like a sandbox, but with corn!-while we waited for the hay ride back to the pumpkin patch, where the boys each got to pick a pumpkin to take home. We got some cute Mr. Potato head parts for decorating a pumpkin, so I'll share pictures when we get those done.

Balloon Fiesta

Last week the boys and I headed to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. I got the boys up early, we bundled up, and went to the "Park and Ride", where we park, load a bus, and that takes us right to the gate and in. This is part of the fun for the boys. It was a perfect morning for balloons-cool and not windy. It was the special shapes mass ascension, so all of the special shaped balloons went up. It was also Thursday, so it wasn't too crowded. So, a perfect day for me to take the boys by myself-not too many balloons, and not too many people. Caden's favorite, of course, was the Darth Vader balloon (and notice the German flag-how fitting).
Caleb's favorite was the new shape, a clown fish, which he called "Nemo".

After the special shapes went up, they had a balloon race, with just the regular shapes. It was amazing how many there were, and how quickly they all moved so close together.
Later that evening (after a good nap for all of us), we went to the Special Shapes Glowdeo, where the balloons just inflate then once it starts getting dark, light up. We sat right under the cow (my favorite)! After the glow, we stayed for the amazing fireworks. What a fun time-and we were exhausted the next day!

Preschool Days

The boys are back to the full swing of things at Preschool. Caden is in the "Red Birds" Pre-K class this year. He was lucky enough to be put in the same class as two of his best friends from the last two years (see him giving a hug to one of them on the first day-he hadn't seen her since before we left for Germany), although another one of them got put in the other class.

He loves school, which is no surprise since he has loved it for the past two years. He even has "homework" and a reading log, which are optional, but he loves to do it and I love to see him do it. When he is doing it, he tells Caleb, "This is my homework Caleb to learn how to write. When you get homework you can learn to write." Very cute!
Caleb is in the "Brown Bears" 2 year old class this year. He has the same teacher Caden had when he was 2 and when he was 3, so she is familiar with him and he with her. The first day he cried when I dropped him off, but he had stopped and was playing within a few minutes. Since then, he reaches up to his teacher and says, "Bye Mom!". He is bringing home projects and talks about "his class" all of the time. He is enjoying it as much as I hoped he would.
Here are a few pictures of the first day of school. Even now Caleb has to carry his lunchbox and have on his backpack. I can't believe how fast they are growing up!

























Oh, and now that we're back, I'm going to have to come up with a new name. Any ideas?

We are home

Hey everyone! Sorry it's been so long since we've written, it's a busy time right now. The boys and I are back in Albuquerque. The boys are both in Preschool (more and pictures to come) and I am back to work with my Mary Kay business. We are certainly glad to be home, but we miss Chris. He will be in Europe on business through mid-November. Right now he is in Spain. We are managing on lots of activities (Caden has started soccer again-more to come on that too), family and friends. Just wanted to touch base with everyone and I'll be posting some more information and pictures soon!

Playmobil Fun Park

Saturday we headed to the Playmobil Fun Park in Zirdorf, which is near Nurnberg. Did any of you play with Playmobil toys as a kid? I did, so this was cool for me to see.
We started off in a building with tons of Playmobil toys for the kids to play.
Next, we headed to the Pirates. Caden sure has loved all of this pirate stuff!
There were life size Playmobil people and animals everywhere and plenty of things for the kids to play. Caleb, of course, found his way to a sandbox at every chance.
After a half day, we all felt we'd done it all and were very tired, so made our way to the hotel to nap, then we went to the old town of nearby Furth for dinner and a little walking around.