Christmas Tree

We had a wonderful day in search of a Christmas Tree. We started with lunch and a little shopping in Blowing Rock, NC and then headed across the Blueridge Parkway towards the Christmas Tree Capital of the world! Ashe County NC. The White House Tree came from these parts ya know!

We roasted marshmellows. It was freezing.


We saw a psycho weird Santa - he had spent the day eaten chips and forgot part of his beard, not to mention his boot covers were on his knees. Passed on that photo op!

Then we hiked up the mountain to find our perfect tree!




Let the Holidays Begin!

Charlie Brown

We are off to the mountains for a tree - I always like to get a tree that is NOT perfect. Like Charlie Browns tree. For two reasons. 1. My husband has always said he has a lot in common with CB &
2. Because I would hate for a tree to be left on the mountain alone Christmas Eve - just because of it's imperfections.
I know call me crazy.
This year I am just Thankful that I get to go with my family to cut down a tree. This time last year I was well on my way to my 2nd month of bedrest and spent most of the season in my room in a rocker.
But that said this little doll was so worth each day in that rocker!


Now lets see if 5 people can agree on 1 tree!

Turkey Day

The morning of Gage's Thanksgiving Feast

One reason we love our school - you can still dress up like an indian as they teach the history of Thanksgiving.

Crazy me, I do not have any pictures from our fantastic Thanksgiving Dinner at the Callicutts home. We are so Blessed and Thankful to have friends like Aunt Tina and Uncle Scott, who really are family. I think Gage is thankful for not having pictures. This is the last year I can make Gage wear a matching Bailey Boy Turkey shirt. I mean "ugh, mommy I am six now".... True.
But lunch was wonderful it was so much fun to see Tina's sisters and her father. The boys love Pappa Hoyt. And all of Scott's family. His parents and sister who come each year. His nephews and their families. There was even a little a 10 month old girl who could WALK. Tru was so impressed, but he wanted to hold her hand. She did not seem to mind droll and all. After lunch I brought Tru home for a nap while the boys stayed to play Wii and Basketball. We finished out our night with leftovers and Popcorn in front of the fire and settled down to the movie National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. A movie we will see many times between now and Christmas.

This weekend we are off to the mountains in search a Christmas tree to chopped down. They are forecasting a little snow. Could we be so lucky?

Gone Baby Gone

Tru hit the 11 month mark on Saturday.
My baby is not sa' much a baby anymore.
He is huuuuge.
He is standing up for periods of time.
Yes, it is "Look mom, no hands"
He weights about 18 pounds.
He loves to eat real food and baby food.
Hot Dogs, Spagetti, fruit, chicken, green beans, sweet potatos, cheese, turkey....
This may not seem like a big thing but to a mom of truly picky eaters.
Trust me when I say how huge it really is for our family.
He likes to wave, clap and it trying hard to blow kisses.
He is tired of facing backwards in the car seat.
I have said this before but to have come 5 weeks early he is by far our biggest boy.
He babbles all the time but does not say much.
And most of all he is SPOILED ROTTEN.

making the man

"They" (whoever they are) say the clothing makes the man....
Well in our case the haircut made my baby a little boy.

Before:


After:

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Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!!

Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!!

You have got to see this giveaway! Amazing watercolor giveaway! Do not miss out!

The Polar Express

Last weekend in the mountains we took a little side trip to the North Pole.  We did not tell the boys where we were headed. (Sorry, but to have to hear over and over "when are we going to the train just was not in my playbook).  We took an early bath and got on some new PJ's.  And took off for a "ride".

Once we got to the train station I gave them their golden tickets.
Davis' reaction "Did someone say Polar Express???"


It was dark and cold a prefect night to head to the North Pole.


Tru heard Santa might be on the train!


We enjoyed cookies and coco served by this man on our way to the pole. (who thought Davis was a girl....)


SANTA gives out the bells!



Golden Tickets?

On the way home from the NP we sang songs and enjoyed more cookies! Our ride was just like the movie we even had the Know It All Boy in our train car! It was a great time. Something I am sure we will do again next year!

New Rod and Reel

For your birthday you asked for a new fishing pole.

You are dying to learn how to fly fish like your father.

That will come in time.

But in the meantime,

your new regular fishing pole seemed to do just fine!

Congrats on your first Trout.

Right out of the river!

Code Names

I was just getting my daily dose of news via yahoo news and saw the Obama's code names have been chosen for the Secret Service:

(copied from yahoo.com)

Mr. Obama will be known as "Renegade" (move over, Lorenzo Lamas). Michelle, a woman of many talents, will be referred to as "Renaissance." Malia Obama's name will be "Radiance," while little sister Sasha's will be "Rosebud."

The Bidens? We were hoping the Secret Service would stick to the "R" theme and dub Joe "Rogaine." Alas, his name will be "Celtic." His wife Jill will be "Capri." (thanks yahoo)

I was thinking what would our code names be:

Ward - Sparky

Davis - Attitude

Gage - Manipulator

Truman - Bubble Gum

me - QueenB

My Baby Turned Six

What a great time we had celebrating Gage turning Six.
Six wonderful things about Gage -

He is a caring Big Brother.
He is a wonderful artist.
He has the most beautiful eyes.
He is very serious yet considered a "class clown"
He loves to swim.
He loves school (hope that continues).

Happy 6th Birthday Gage, I hope you had a wonderful birthday celebration!
We love you!

Melting Pot

We had a great time at the Melting Pot.
Gage was super excited.
Not because we were celebrating his birthday but because I allowed him to get
COKE.
Something that never happens in our house. But hey he was turning SIX!
Gage also received his first birthday gift.
A real Mickey Mouse watch. It was something that was purchased when Gage was a year old on our first trip to Disney World with my father (Pop-Pop). Ward was given a mickey mouse watch by his grandfather when he turned 5. He wanted Ward to learn how to tell time the "old fashion" way - non digital. Ward still has this watch and while it is no longer working I had it framed when we were first married and today it hands on the wall of Gage & Davis' room. Gage was stoked to get his own big boy watch. This week I have to take it to get a battery. Go figure you buy something in 2002 and give it as a gift in 2008 and the battery is dead. Gage didn't care he has worn it around anyway.





We had a hard time trying to convince Davis that the cooking sticks were not weapons!

Let the Celebration begin

Gage turns 6 tomorrow. Tonight we are taking Gage and Davis to the "Melting Pot" for an early celebration dinner. We are not only celebrating his 6th Birthday but also his OUTSTANDING report card. All E's (excellent) and check pluses - with just a check in music. But then again the music teacher does not give anything above a check. (From what I hear....) Way to go Gage we are so proud of you.
Tomorrow we head to the mountains for a long long weekend and a trip on the Polar Express - a big surprise for the boys.
A few of my favorite pictures of my SIX year old (funny how I am still 29). From when he was 2 and just a sweet as pie.
Since you are turning the big 6 - does this mean we can't call you Gagey anymore??

Snakes

SNAKE!
Yes, we found one in our yard.
Gage was a little scared.
Davis who knows no fear was all over it.
He wanted to put it in the bug hotel for the night.
Tru could have cared less.
Ward is a fruitcake.
I got close enough to take the pictures.