And the Tree is Trimmed

Here is our tree in all its glory! I really think this is our best tree yet! I know I say that every year, but it really looks perfect. Connor loves it! He says, "OOOOHHH" when we light it up. He loves all the ornaments too but he is pretty good about not touching them too much. Don and I started this tradition many years ago when we first got married to collect ornaments from each vacation and each place we visit. When we pull them out each year it is so fun to remember when we got them and relive our little vacations! I love it. Don and I were talking about our favorite ornaments on the tree this year. Don is partial to an Irish step dancer girl we picked up in Saulsilito back in May of 2007. I think deep down he really wants a daughter.... My favorite ornament this year is also from that same trip - two frogs! I don't know why I love it, I just think the frogs are cute! Connor also weighed in on his favorite ornament. It is.... DRUM ROLL PLEASE..... Eneman! Yes, I have the Fleet's enema mascot hanging on my tree! Back in the day of my research prior to nursing school, the Fleets rep sent out these ornaments for us all at Christmas. We laughed so hard when we opened them. But each year I put it up because it reminds me of all the wonderful people I worked with and learned from while doing women's health research studies!

My Favorite Ornament!

Don's favorite ornament

Connor has the mouse ornament (which resides a branch to the right of and below Eneman) give Eneman a kiss every morning.

Here he is folks!

The caped crusader! Making sure all plumbing systems are a go this season!

Rice Cereal Take Two

My little elf! What do ya got for me mom?

Yeah, I am so not eating that.....

Rice Cereal Take One!

We had to start Kellen on rice cereal as he is one hungry and growing man! I was really struggling to keep up with his milk demands, so we have had to supplement. He can easlily take down 6-8 ounce bottles in a feeding and then turn around and do it again in a couple of hours. Yeah, this heffer can't make that much milk! So the lactation consultant along with our pediatrician suggested starting the old rice cereal. So far, no good! He is completely confused by the whole spoon feeding thing. Mostly the rice cereal just sits on the edge of his tongue for a few seconds, then he spits it out! Hilarious! Then he laughs at us, as if we are the silly ones!

The Tree of a Thousand Lights!

The Allen Family and our family have been dear friends for as long as I can remember. I believe Patti and Roland met my parents through a marriage encounter weekend. Also, when you live in Utah and are Catholic, you pretty much stick to together. Because we have no family in Utah (all back in New York) we spent holidays with the Allens (also transplants from Ohio). Years and years ago our parents started a tradition of co-hosting a huge christmas party on Christmas eve. Everyone was invited and it was quite the social event! It was an open house style so people would either come before Christmas Eve Mass or after, depending on which service they went to. Whenever I was home for the holidays, I loved this party as it was a way to catch up with all my old friends! There was always the "young adult" section out on the back patio - near the beer and I believe there was a heater lamp some years too, because December in Utah is cold! Our parents always kept count of how many people attended the party and it was always just over 100! Anyways, the party was always at the Allens house who lived a few streets over from my parents. Patti's house was always decorated to the nines and the highlight of course, was her beautiful Christmas tree!!!! It was always stunning! Well one year in particular she had to document a story about all the mishaps and fiascos that went into creating the perfect Christmas tree. She titled the story "The Tree of a Thousand Lights". It is a hilarious story about getting all those lights on the tree, the tree stand breaking, leaking water through to the basement, etc. It is fabulous and when you read the story, you will never look at their Christmas tree the same! So anyway, with that being said, this year Don was fretting about the lights on our tree. The strands were different so there were different colors on top then on the bottom strand, he felt there was a section that needed more lights alltogether... So needless to say, we have yet to decorate our tree as my husband is trying to get the lights just right! I love him dearly for it - he wants it to be perfect for the boys. Watching him, hmm and haa over the light issue reminded me of the Allen family. Now we too have a "Tree of a Thousand Lights!"

Connor "helping" Don get the lights all untangled.

Connor is fascinated by all the lights!

Don attempting to put the first strand of lights on the tree....

Christmas Tree Hunting.

So we finally got our Christmas tree. Since as long as Don and I have been the dynamic duo that we are, we have hunted and bought our tree at Sleighbells of Sherwood. A tradition that we started with some dear friends of ours, the Piacitellis. It is right down the road from us. The whole atmosphere is Christmas. There is a band, Santa, a place to get hot cocoa and buy ornaments. Don is always in charge of picking out the tree. He has full say in what we bring home and that is just fine by me, since I grew up with a, GASP, artificial tree. I try to give my two cents, but I always get a reply like "The top is crooked" or "do you see how bare that tree is" So, I just follow him around the tree hill nodding and smiling. However, as the years go on, I think there will be two little boys who will have a lot to say about the tree we get! This year because we had the boys and it was raining, Connor, Kellen and I hunkered down with some hot cocoa and let Don do the hunting. And what a fine tree he found!!!

Connor all bundled up to hunt the tree hill with dad!

Connor loved running around all the trees! He was cold, but very happy!

Kellen and I just smiled and nodded....

Kellen's Baptism!

Today we had Kellen's baptism. It was so beautiful! All the baptisms in my family have been a private ceremony, including Connor's. However, for Kellen we had his done during our 8:30 mass. It was beautiful and really nice to have the congregation help us welcome him to the church. My little sister Jeannie is Kellen's godmother and my brother-in-law Matt is his godfather. It was so special to have our family and friends there to help us celebrate. We had a reception at our house after. I was telling my mom on the phone this evening, I was feeling a little post-baptism blues. Another milestone for my child that has come and gone, always reminding me how fast our babies grow up. Another reminder to enjoy each passing minute we have with our children, our family. Because the moments, they really go by so fast, and you will never get them back.

Old Town Sherwood Christmas Tree!

Tonight we had the family over for some holiday cheer. Tomorrow is Kellen's baptism and so my little sister Jeannie and her family are coming down for the big day. Jeannie is Kellen's godmother. Sarah and Matt and the kiddos along with my parents all came over early and we walked down to the Christmas festival and tree lighting ceremony in Sherwood. We bundled the kids up and stuffed them into wagons and strollers and headed to old town. We missed the actual tree lighting, and most of the festival for that matter. But we had so much fun. Santa and Mrs. Clause were still hanging around, the tree was beautiful, and we got free cookies. After the kids were completely frozen, we walked back home to have pizza and wait for Jeannie and Tyler and the gang to arrive from Bainbridge. Little brother Tom came over also to partake in some jubleale! Oh, and we celebrated Tyler's birthday too with chocolate cake!! Adorable mom and dad!

The adorable Mattecheck family!

Connor all fleeced out running through old town!

Ahh, the Patterson's finally arrived. Jeannie and a tired little Sam.

The chaos of our house!

Connor hanging with his "older" cousins on the couch watching Rudlolph on TV. This picture is a classic!!!!