Early December (1 - 7)

Thanksgiving was so late this year that once we returned from our visit to Richmond, it was a frantic race to get ready for Christmas. Along the way we managed to take a few photos from the first week in December.

Too cool for school - almost daily Meghan asks for her "glasses" when we get into the car. Poor girl needs some of her own as she's currently wearing her big brother's Sponge Bob sunglasses.

At first Meghan was not so happy about getting her picture taken for whatever reason. 

Not sure what changed her mind, but I'm glad whatever the reason was.

All set decked out in Christmas colors to head out to Farmer's Market to get our Christmas tree before the epic rain set in. Meghan wanted a pony tail like her big sister.

That afternoon we headed over to Kierstin & Kelsey's house for some Christmas cookie decorating fun. Someone got into the icing.

The big girls were very prolific decorators.

A quick snuggle with Sydney - thought I'm not sure Sydney's excited about this.

Monkey see, monkey do.

Over Thanksgiving we had been discussing with Lucy the differences between kitchen towels and bath towels and why it's actually important to use kitchen ones in the kitchen. Unintentionally we collected some evidence to support what we'd told her.

Sydney on her bed of leaves.

Visit to Santa Claus

Happy New Year! A what better way to start out 2014 than a blog post, rather than waiting until February for me to get my act in gear. 

Next up: our visit to see Santa Claus while in Richmond over Thanksgiving.

Out in the driveway on our way to the Children's Museum. Always a good time trying to get a picture of Jack... See what I have to work with?

In line! Meghan is not so sure about all this.

Already shying away from the camera, this doesn't bode well. In other news Pop-pop made it this year!

There's a smile from the Megatron trickadoodle.

Next in line to see Santa chatting with the Snow Queen.

The whole experience in pictures... Clara is excited and in awe of Santa Claus as I try to work some magic on the other two. Clara takes the opportunity to ask him how old he is.

Jack, all set to stand beside Santa, is not happy to be placed on his lap.

Meghan is having none of it as I try to flee the scene in order to snap the picture.

Santa calls out, "a little help, Mom" as both Jack & Meghan are escaping from his grasp. Quick rearranging and reassuring ensues.

Money shot!

And thanks to Nay-nay we have the side view as well.

After the picture Meghan escapes to me as soon as possible, but Santa hugs Jack close to keep him around. Clara asked for some "Playmobil, Magic Tree House books, & some surprises" (check & check!).

Surprisingly enough after some coaxing, Jack tells Santa that he'd like a book. Clara was a super supportive big sister giving Jack a pat of encouragement

Clara then adds that she thinks that Meghan would like a baby doll. 

All in all it was a much better experience than the last couple. I was so proud of Jack for how far he's come considering two years ago, he cowered the moment we walked into the room, and last year he didn't make it into the picture. This year he sat on Santa's lap long enough to snap a photo and even managed to tell him a present that he'd like. I'm glad to finally have all three children in a picture together with Santa!

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

What better way to celebrate Christmas Adam than with a blog post about Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving festivities began on Monday with Jack's holiday feast at school. It was fun for the whole family as Clara and Meghan joined us. We arrived and were directed to our seats where beautiful table decorations were provided by Jack. He was adorned with a nifty pink headdress.

Then on Tuesday afternoon we headed out of Raleigh straight from elementary school pick-up. The weather was pretty rough the entire ride up to Richmond; it rained the entire way, but luckily the traffic was a little lighter that it probably would have been the next afternoon.

Meghan, armed with her blanket, iPod, and an armful of cats.

Awaiting Clara's arrival from school.

Next morning up bright & early shaving with Pop-pop!

Jack got his hair cut da Delshay who decided that he needed a faux-hawk to show Pop-pop.

Finally on Thanksgiving day the sun came out. Uncle Jack and Jack enjoyed some quality time together with death-defying wagon rides (which will be uploaded if I ever get the videos from Nay-nay) and  slightly more tame raking adventures. Lucy brought over her new baby, Magic!

Loving Pop-pop's new rake with an adjustable handle.

We traveled over to Su-su & Gramby's for a noon day Thanksgiving meal with copious cousins.

After the meal was a heated game of backyard football during which Gramby takes out his only grandson.

On Friday I was off shopping with Nay-nay and Dy while Pop-pop and Daddy took the kids to play at Tuckahoe. Check that ice chunk!

Rocking down the playground.

Making more music.

On Friday night Julie Overly, née Gehm, came over with her husband, Nate and Poppa Gehm for a drink that turned into two that turned into dinner and a game of Cards Against Humanity at which Poppa Gehm was surprisingly deft.

Meghan did not enjoy being interrupted from the onion dip for a picture.

Baths in the morning? You know what that means... Santa time! Meghan requested her hair to be "like Jack's", i.e., a faux-hawk. Pop-pop, of course, obliged.

We went to visit Santa at the Children's Museum of Richmond late in the morning. Those antics and pictures will be covered in a future post. 

That night we got together for dinner with Zimmerman/Schaeffer clan. Tatti got some snuggles as she read to Hal & Meghan.

What a great holiday! Now bring on December.

Pre-Thanksgiving November

November passed by in a hurry and somehow in its haste left us without having taken many pictures or videos.

The weekend after Halloween we spent a lot of time outside. The weather was perfect. Jack and Daddy had a little fun with forward facing camera.

Relaxing in front of the Patriots game.

Meghan and I taking some selfies of our own.

Fun on the swings.

During our fall photo shoot I snapped a few pics with my phone. These are proof of how wonderful the resultant pictures from our Mason Dee session really are.

Meghan scouring the closet for some accessories when she should have been looking for clothes!

Meghan decided to join her big sister reading a Magic Tree House book, curled up under a blanket on the couch.

Jack exhibits trike riding skills successfully completing a lap around the dining room table, no small feat.

Meghan wanted her turn on top of the climbing rock at Isabella Canon park.

I still can't resist the occasional nap time picture, especially knowing that our days at this point are numbered.

One brisk morning Meghan helped me transplant our Japanese maple from a spot where it got lost in the shuffle to a place where it takes center stage. I love its new home!