Meet Charlie

Introducing our newest family member, Charlie.
He's a border collie mix. He's about 4-6 months old.
He's been great with the kids, mellow, still a bit of a chewer.
Kody, our other dog is not too sure about him yet.

(sorry for the funky images, Spencer smudged junk all over the lense of the camera!)

a boy and his blanket

Glimpse into our Christmas

Welcome to a small glimpse of what Christmas was like up on our hilltop.

the big gift was a wii!

We got my dad to play the Wii.

Wii Play.... all day!


The boys got up EARLY to see that Santa had come. (notice the sunrise!)

This is Will opening a special gift from Santa.

Will had asked for the Beatles' autographs, but Santa couldn't get them...

It is a dog tag necklace with the Beatles on it.

Yellow Submarine tree ornament.

Opening stocking goodies

Santa brought Spencer some basektballs.

Nana and Papa got Spencer a new drum!

Gee...I wonder what it is?

Spencer has gone candy crazy!

ROCK ON SPENCER!!!

Happy Holidays!

Our visit with Santa

on Monday, we decided to brave the crowds at Crown Center and see Santa.

Why go there? Because they have a cool Crayola play area before you see Santa.

The day before, i had heard a woman say she stood in line for 45 minutes to see Santa. I was prepared for that. no matter how miserable 45 minutes in a line w/ a 2 year old and 7 year old. it's worth it.

We drive up to the shopping center parking garage. there was a long line to get into the parking garage. We finally get into the garage, and drive up the dizzying levels. We got a parking spot, then RUN down stairs to get to Santa's line.

We were in line for an hour and half!!! Waiting. Wrestling. Spencer wanted to GO. anywhere and everywhere. I held him most of the time. It was nice talking to the other people in line.

We FINALLY got to the play area before Santa. all to find out that there was ANOTHER line inside the play area. YES another LINE! I figured since i had corralled the boys for SO LONG, i would just let them play on the crayon slide while i stood in line. they were within 5 feet of me. When all of a sudden, this lady comes up to me and tells me that we can only let the kids go over the slides ONE TIME. you mean, i stood in line torturing the kids for over an hour to let them play for less than 2 minutes!?! So we stood in line AGAIN. to see Santa.

Another half hour passes, and we FINALLY got to see Santa. by this time, Spencer was NOT amused. He was NOT going to smile. he didn't cry on Santa's lap, but he didn't smile either.

we got through seeing Santa. Ran up to the car. We had plans after seeing Santa. I got the kids all the way back up to the car, strapped them in, and started down the dizzying parking garage levels. then... i realized that i forgot to get my parking ticket stamped. So i pulled over. Unstrapped the kids, ran down another flight of stairs, into the mall, and into a store to get a stamp. (i was NOT going to pay for parking!) Ran back up a flight of stairs, out to the car, strapped the kids in, and headed back down the garage. to find... A LINE of cars waiting to get OUT of the parking lot. OOOY!!!

It was a long, exhausting, trying day. a lot of hurry up and wait.

and here is the photo we got for all of that waiting.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Random Winterness...

Happy Holidays.

Here are some random Winter/Holiday photos...

Peace on Earth!!!

Will decorating the tree.

Will in the snow.

Will made a HEART in the snow.

THE BIRDS!!!

Spencer is not quite sure what he thinks of the snow.

My little snow angel.

William and I had a date together. We went to Crown Center, and had lunch at Crayola Cafe.

We had a great time together.

We Saw Seussical the Musical, and then went Christmas Shopping.

It was great to have quality time, just Will and Mommy.

Will and the Big Giant Purple Crayon.

Snow outside and inside.

Will and I made a bunch of snowflakes out of coffee filters.

Kody Girl playing in the snow.

She is terrified of the camera, so i have to love any picture that i can get of her!

Santa Spencer :)

Will and Spencer hiking down the snow covered driveway.

Spencer running down the snow covered driveway.

The boys warming up by the fire.

I am not sure why they wanted to wear shorts in the winter, but whatever!

We decorated cookies on one of our snow days.

Decorating cookies!

Will does this every year. He writes a letter to Santa.

He takes it outside.

and sends the letters and wishes into the wind.

he throws them out into the woods for the wind to take.

I think it's pretty cool.

the letter says,

"Dere Santa, I like You.

I wish you a Maerry Christmas..."

On that Note...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

May all of your Holiday Wishes come true!

Peace on Earth!!!

Ghost???

I am sure many of you out there in cyber world will think this is just me being goofy, or flaky. The light in my kitchen likes to go off when i am cooking. So, the other day, i decided to take random pix of the light and ceiling when the light was flickering and acting funny.
The following are the images. I did not see the redish spot when i was taking the pix.
did i capture something paranormal, or are they just funky light flares?
you be the judge.




This shot shows the light that usually stays on above. the light in the middle/lower part had just turned itself out. no idea what that redish spot is near the light above my oven.








See how that little light circle is NOT in the same place in the pix?