The Tree

We had a great time this Christmas. After our expensive fix-it summer we decided to change our travel plans to staying home. I got really excited and awoke all of those family holiday traditions of: chocolate dipping, klejner cookies, matching jammies, and going to cut down our own Christmas tree.
That was an adventure. We went to go cut down a tree at a local farm. We packed the boys in our little Saturn car, sang carols on the way, got to the farm, bundled up, plopped the boys in the wagon and were ready to start our search for the perfect tree. Then we learned the prices of these Jersey Fresh trees....$60! We got back in the car, went to the tree lot in front of the mall and bought a tree for $24 instead. It is cheaper to buy a cut tree that has been shipped from North Carolina than it is to cut your own in New Jersey. That is New Jersey property taxes for you.
The tree lot had some advantages over the farm. Adam and Zachary were greeted by a nice man that gave them candy canes, and they loved watching the tree go through the tree bailer. Shoot I liked it too. I mention the nice man becuase here in Jersey a pleasant person is a bonus.

It was our first year to have a real tree and it definitely set the "Christmas" mood with its charm and lovely smell. Our tree was worth it!

1st Movie Theater Experience

We took Zachary and Adam to see Astro Boy in the theater. It was Zach's first time to go to the thearer and we were a little bit nervous about the way he would behave. He did great! Josh got the boys a big popcorn (that is a big deal to me because that was never allowed for me growing up) and Zachary held it the whole time. He just sat in my lap ate popcorn, watched the movie and snuggeled me. It was a nice family outting.

Halloween PARTIESSSS

The parties started Wed. We attended a party at a Library with some of our friends. They boys were very proud to be in their costumes. Adam pretended to fight all of the older boys as Zach wooed a couple of the girls with his charms and cool cowboy hat.
Next the boys had their parties at the schools. As I was trying to get Zachary in his Woody costume he was resistant and didn't seem excited to ware it. Thanks to a cute friend from pre-school I had a dinosaur costume on hand and offered that to Zach. He got really excited about that. It was smooth sailing from there. When we got to Adam's school to drop him off there were several adults that had gathered to see the pre-school kids in the costumes. Man, Adam and Zachary were so excited to strut their stuff. They ripped off the jackets Adam threw on his wings and pretended to fly while Zachary stomped around like a T-rex. They soaked up the attention. I loved it too.


The next day we got to ware our costumes again at our Church party. It was a perfect party. Lots of people, food, games, and of course trick-or-treat candy. For Adam and Zachary the party was a little slow with the chili eating, and the socializing. They enjoyed the games but the best was when they went down the hallway trick-or-treating. As we left Adam exclaimed "that was awesome!"

The day finnally arrived. Halloween was upon us. I made gumbo and we gathered a group of friends over to go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Our neighbors give out quality stuff! We just did our little loop and the boys came home happy, tired, hungry, and with a huge bag of candy. Near the end Adam didn't want to carrie his bag. He said it was "too heavy". We came back to our house with our little herd ate gumbo, played games and had a very nice evening. "Thanks" to every one that came.


I think that my favorite thing about Halloween this year wasn't the costumes (although my boys were SUPER cute) but it has been Adam's desire to share his candy with his little brother. Adam had me get out the sissors to cut his star burst in half so that he could give some to Zachary. He was excited that he had four of something to give on to everyone in the family. Adam is a challenge but then he can be so sweet and tender. I love being a mom and experiencing the joy that comes from seeing my child being kind to others.

Pumpkin Picking

The boys are doing well. Here are some pictures from yesterday. We went to Adam's soccer game and then we went pumpkin picking. Adam's game was as always a good time. I really enjoy watching Adam kick the ball during practice and run with the crowd during the game. This week was one to be remembered because he actually kicked the ball during the game. WooHoo! Zach wants to join his brother out on the field so we keep him entertained with a little one-on-one with daddy.
Our annual pumpkin picking was a little different this year b/c we went to a different farm. It wasn't as authentic as the other place that we have gone to in the past. But the boys don't care one way or the other. Zachary had a great time. The first thing that he did when we got there was plop down in the dirt and made tracks with this fingers and found some good rocks to put in this pockets. For the past few nights I have had to empty his pockets of rocks. We have a good collection going on right now. Adam and I had a good time looking for the perfect pumpkin. I made the mistake of pointing out some rotten places on some of the pumpkins and dirt. Well after that every pumkin with a little dirt on it (with is every pumpkin) wasn't good enough. He would find one that he liked and then inspect it only to find a little dirt. The pumpkin was then declared "gross" or "not perfect". We ended up going with the one that daddy picked and carted around the whole time we were there.

Zoo Adventure

My friend Julie and I packed up our kids and went to the Turtle Back Zoo. One of the best Zoos that I have been to. We got to go on a train ride and warmed up in the reptile house. After that we hopped around to the other exhibits.

(Sara, Sam, Shandra, Miriam, & Adam)

(Zachary, Miriam, & Sara)

Adam and Zach weren't really into looking at the animals as much as they were running around with their friends. At the cougar exhibit they jumped from bench to bench. I think that Adam could have done that all day long. Sam was pretty frusterated that he couldn't jump like Adam but Adam has had many years experience since I let him jump on and off of the furniture. At the horse barn they had a better time just running around. I'm so glad that Adam and Zach have good friends that they love spending time with and play good with. It is such a blessing to have friends.

(Adam & Sam best buddies)

Good Mommy Moments

Adam got in his head that he wanted spider cookies. So that is what we did. We spent the afternoon making cookie dough, rolling the dough out, and cutting the cookies. We cut out our family and the round cookies I thought that I would put webs & spiders on them with frosting. But Adam got uninterested in cutting out the cookies and really wanted to see the SPIDERS so I sculpted the dough into spiders. I think they turned out pretty good.

Let me explain the cookie picture. No that is not a naked cookie man. Josh put the frosting on his cookie and he choose to highlight his pecks, belly button, and side burns. He was really proud at his accurate depiction of his self. I Love him so much.

The cookies didn't really taste that great though. Does anyone have a favorite sugar cookie recipie that they love? I would love to have a better one on hand.

Daddy's Flamming Cake

31 Yes, that is how old Josh is this year. Since Josh doesn't like anyTHING I made him a special dinner and cake. When I went to put the candles on I thought that I would have enough but.... oh well. Had we had all 31 candels on the cake I think the fire department would have been knocking on our door.

I thought this was funny. The day before Josh's b-day Adam I wraped daddy's borning gifts (items that he needed) just before he came home. When Josh walked in the door Adam announced "Daddy we have surprises for you! A shirt and a belt!" Adam hasn't gotten the concept of surprises yet. Oh well, the surprise isn't the fun part of the gifts anymore it is watching the boys help their dad unwrap them.