Miles' 1st snowfall

Last year, Miles did not get the chance to 'play in the snow'. Therefore, this year, when it started to snow, he was eager to get out in it. Sophia had fallen asleep on the couch and Miles asked Justin, "Go out, Go out??"

Miles enjoyed trudging thru the snow, all 1/2 in of it.

He was especially excited and happy to be out in the snow, even if it was cold.

Writing a letter to santa......

Last night, Sophia was working on her late letter to Santa. She needed some help, it went something like this.....

Dear Santa,

I want
2 barbies
1 princess bean bag chair
3 princess chapter books
2 necklaces- dog and cat
love, sophia

About 1/2 way thru writing the letter, i asked Sophia if she wanted to tell Santa how good she had been. Her answer,

""NO!!!""

I think that she was not sure that she had been good enough, and did not want to tell Santa.

Christmas tree and such

Sophia has always enjoyed helping to decorate the house and trees for Christmas. Here she is helping un-roll the lights to allow Justin to place them on the tree.



Miles was excited that he was allowed to help this year.

Sophia took the time to unwrap all the ornaments.

Miles took the time to review all the ornaments, especially the angel.

Miles attempted to string the lights on the tree as well, with less luck.

Firetrucks galore!!!

While in IL, we had the priveledge to visit the local firehouse. My friends son is a volunteer firehouse chief. He invited us to the firehouse on Thanksgiving day to see the truck. This was a GREAT experience for all the 'kids'.

They both LOVED driving the big trucks.

Thanksgiving

Over Thanksgiving, we traveled to IL to visit with Justin's parents. Sophia and Miles took the time to make the pumpkin pie for the big day. Everyone had a turn stirring the pie mix.

Back to himself

Yesterday Miles had new ear tubes placed. Unlike any other trip to Childrens Hospital, we were only there for 2 1/2 hours. It was actually an in and out procedure. Miles did great and we got to see some of our Cardiology Dr.'s. Everyone felt that he looked great. We are glad to be home, watching Laurie Berkner DVD's, eating donuts and recovering. He is getting closer to his usual self, not fully there yet, but i assume by tomorrow, there will be no stopping him.

Taking a Christmas card picture.....

is never actually easy. Here, Sophia and Miles are dressed to get a "formal" picture taken at the local photo studio.

Here they are practicing their yoga doing 'downward dog'
Tried to get situated sitting next to each other.

A little TOO happy and squeezing each other TOO hard.

Not quite the best smiles,

We are getting closer.....

and finally, the best picture for our card this year.

Ear tubes please

we are now officially scheduled for sometime in the morning of Dec. 17th. Wish us luck.

Wedding Photos

Our great friends, Kevin and Margie, finally got married after only 9 years. Here the kids are all dressed up for the wedding.

Miles looks very handsome in his jacket, vest and tie. Let me just tell you that it is hard to actually tie a tie for a 2 y/o. the longer part of the tie was tucked into his pants.

Miles completely enjoyed the ice cream bar at the end of the night!!

Waiting for the ceremony to begin, Miles and G.G. sit together.

A few days before the wedding, we had to practice to make sure that everything would work together and fit.

We tried to decide about wearing the tie with the vest or without.

Look at the little Republican.

Ear tubes anyone???

Miles already has ear tubes, but they became dislodged and blocked. Therefore, he is in need of new ear tubes. We can only hope that it goes better than last Jan when he was scheduled for tubes, cath, and bronch, only got the tubes because he was too sick for the rest and then ended up getting admitted for observation because he would not bring his o2 sats above 90%. I mean really, getting admitted for ear tubes, that is an in and out procedure. Right now, we are scheduled for the 20th of jan, but it might need to be sooner. we will know more tomorrow

Halloween Pictures

A few days before halloween night, we decided to carve the pumpkin. Sophia was a pro at this, since she had worked with many pumpkins in the past. However, Miles had never experienced "carving" a pumpkin. He was happy to have his picture take with the pumpkin, but did not enjoy actually reaching in and getting the 'guts' out.

The weather was actually great for being late Oct. in OH. Our kids did not have to add any extra warmth to their outfits. Our little pirate, decided that he would sit on the curb before getting too tired. We had not even made it to ONE house yet. But he looked so cute, i had to take his picture.

Sophia was showing Miles the ropes on how to go to the house and ring the bell.

The before pictures were so funny. Miles did not know what he was about to do, but he was excited no matter what!!!

Getting ready for the evening, he decided to study the pumpkins.

and this little pirate starting eating before we even left the house.

He continued to check out the pumpkin (not lit of course), even closer!

he was happy to get to go out with sister.

then he learned that they would be getting CANDY!!!

By the end of the night, he was a pretty happy kid! The mustache had started to wear off.

At a pre-halloween party, Miles wanted to be THomas the Train. He did not wear Thomas outfit for actual trick or treating because it seemed to drag in the front and trip him up. Not worth it when there is CANDY at stake.

And here the kids were trying to decide what to be, SpiderMan.

Or SpiderGirl.

q

my fun job....

If I had the opportunity to have a FUN job, more fun that the one I actually work in, I would love to be
1. personal shopper. The idea is that I would find out what people want to pay, find it at a better price, keep the difference and charge a shopping fee. That would combine 2 great hobbies, shopping and bargaining.
2. work on personal photo albums for people. I always love designing my family photo albums on www.mypublisher.com each year. They are fun to put together and re-arrange.

so if you need any ideas or help with Christmas shopping, just let me know

and what would your FUN JOB be????

and we are back.

I was expecting to work on the blog while we were in IL, but I did not get my pictures uploaded before we left, so that did not happen. Here are just a few miscellaneous shots for your viewing pleasure.

Miles was so EXCITED to "DRIVE" the big truck that my parents brought back from IL with all my grandmother stuff in it.

Miles is looking very dapper in his button up PJ's.

Miles needed to be told to smile and show his teeth for this family picture.

And so he did. I love when he smiles that big.

So busy.....

So much has happened since my last post on Oct 22nd. I am hoping to catch up on my postings over thanksgiving week while we are visiting family. So this is why i have not posted and been so busy.

Oct 29th: new niece born, Lily Grace
Oct 31st: Halloween pictures
Nov 1st: Al Boyll- Justin's grandfather passed away.
Nov. 3rd: finished Christmas gifts for parents.
Nov 4th: election and kids were out of school.
and new kids pictures were taken, and swim lessons began.
Nov 5th: Kevin and Margie made it in for the wedding activities
Nov. 6th-7: helping margie with wedding stuff
Nov. 8th: Wedding
Nov. 9th: Pig Roast at our house. Great party with lots of friends.
Nov. 10th: my parents went to IL to pick up my Grandma to come to OH to live.
Nov. 11th: Veteran's Day, more swim lessons
Nov. 13th: all kids at school/daycare and full-day work. Parent made it back with grandma.
Nov. 14th: Moved grandma into her new apartment
Nov. 15th: 8 hours of home projects, but the house looks great.
Nov. 16th: b-day party for one of Sophia's friends
Nov 17-19: working on getting things moved around a grandma's apt and buying needed items since she moved from a 3 bedroom house into a 1 bedroom apt, needed many organizational items. Also there were many trips to goodwill to give away what she did not need.
Nov. 19th: Beat Michigan pep rally at work, Miles really enjoyed it!
Nov 20th-21: working 10 hours
Nov 21st: Taking the kids to see "when elmo grows up" on stage. Should be fun
Nov. 22nd: OSU vs Michigan game

and we are leaving for IL on Nov. 25 for a few days. So, hopefully i will be able to highlight the best parts of my busy last month. Thanks for your patience.