We were slow in getting our tree up this year.  Typically I try to get some pics of the kids decorating, but this year looks like Brandt was the only one taking pictures. Then he put down the camera and was the main decorator.  He had to group all the like things together.  For example, he put all of the cherry flavored candy canes in one section of the tree and the peppermint candy canes in another section, which drove his dad crazy!  I told Bryce he shouldn't worry about it too much since my guess is all the candy canes will be eaten over the next few days, anyway. :)

Christmas Card Pictures

As we started getting Christmas cards in the mail at the beginning of the month, I realized that I didn't have a picture that would even work for ours.  Maleri was a trooper and took a few shots on this afternoon despite the below freezing temperatures and windy conditions.  I think the high of the day was about 7 degrees. We were able to get a few cute ones by the Paris tabernacle, the old shop on the corner by Quinn and Mal's house, and inside on their staircase.  Afterward, Kylie, Allee, Jolie, and Bridger had fun with their own silly photo shoot.

I ended up having this Friday off because the docs had a provider retreat so the office was closed for the day.  I had high hopes of getting a lot accomplished-mostly of cleaning my house.  So...at one point I took a few minutes to put a load of laundry in and take a quick potty break.  And this is what I found when I was done... Brandt had started his own hair cut and his and Kylie's make-up.  Thankfully he didn't cut her hair as well!

Halloween 2013

 Our Halloween festivities started with the Halloween Carnival at the school the week before.  Maleri helped out with doing a photo booth that ended up being so cute!  The kids had so much fun going around playing all the games.  One of Brandt's favorite things was the glow in the dark room that we had for the first time this year.  Both kids enjoyed the jump house, too.  On Halloween night we went to Trunk or Treat in the St. Charles church.  Maleri and her kids came over for it.  Jolie ended up having a sleepover at our house.  The 3 kids piled in the middle of the couch so Brandt could read to them, but they didn't last long before they all fell sound asleep.

Baby Girl Goes to School

Kylie has been begging to go to school ever since I took her for the preschool screening for Head Start a couple months ago.  Yesterday they called and said they have an opening for her and she can start now.  She was soooo excited!!!! I will drive her to school each day and then she will ride Carol's kindergarten bus home and my mom will pick her up from the Olson's since the bus already stops there to let Carson off. I can't believe she's old enough to go.  Of course, her teachers have a hard time believing that she is only three because she's taller than most of the kids in her class.  Just wait til they see that her level of spunk matches her height! 

Carving Pumpkins

We were able to grow one big pumpkin (the big one on the chair) that was big enough to do something with and all of our little gourds this year.  The Hillier's had better luck with their pumpkins and gave us a couple.  I had fun decorating the porch with them and the old chair that was out in the shed and then the kids and Bryce had fun painting them.  Brandt and Kylie also enjoyed giving away some of the gourds to cousins.

I always dread the snow and cold each year.  I love the time my kids and I spend out in the yard and going for walks and bike rides, so when we still had "jacket days" in October we took advantage of them every chance we got.  Today the kids wanted to go visit the Hillier's (as is usually their preferred destination) and we had a nice walk/ride.  Brandt of course was extra proud that he is now able to go without his training wheels.