One Year Ago Today...

... we met this little boy for the first time. It was a bitter cold day, and I was sicker than sick. But looking at his sweet face just melted me and his daddy.

One year later, this sweet baby boy is the most ornery little boy in the world. A boy who loves to laugh and play, who loves to torment his sister, go swimming, ride bikes, play with dinosaurs and Matchbox cars... A boy who has captured my heart a thousand times over.

Happy Gotcha Day, Ethan! We love you so much.

The Best Christmas Pagent Ever!

So it was Christmas concert time at Maggie and Ethan's pre-school. I have to hand it to the staff there - they had their work cut out for them trying to wrangle the kids together AND teaching them all of the songs! But it was really cute - even though one of my children (ahem) wouldn't sing (case of stage fright!).

The preshow at home.

Ethan's class went first. Ethan came out of the classroom with his teacher, and he was PISSED!

My baby, crying for his momma.

I was sitting on the sidelines, hoping E would start singing. But it wasn't meant to be, and he sat on my lap the rest of the show. After a cookie and some juice...

... the same kid 10 minutes later - I kid you not. Happy as can be!

Miss M, waiting patiently to begin

Smiles at the ready!
Some intricate choreography going on with these girls.

Lastly, I leave you with 2 of my favorite selections.

Thanksgiving

I know these are late...

We made the trek up north to spend Thanksgiving with the families. First stop - at Dad's house for our early turkey. After filling our bellies with some good eats, we headed over to Y-town to complete the world tour.

Portrait of Daddy, by Maggie

Playing with Playdoh with Uncle Tom

Two divas-in-training

Harley enjoying a cookie

Zoey and Astra - can't believe how grown up they are!

My baby

Zoolights 2008

Our annual trek to the Zoolights - this time, it was Ethan's first time going.

Not too cold, not too crowded - just right to take two kids out into the night!

The lights were beautiful, as usual. The pictures can't do it justice...

Maggie, with the Christmas manatee (?)...
These parrots make me wish I was in Margaritaville

Even the Grand Cayman Iguana gets into Christmas!
Meeting the big guy himself. Ethan wasn't too sure about Santa, but he was really happy to get the candy cane afterwards.

Making cookies with Mrs. Claus.

The miniature train display - Ethan loved it!

I Need...

... a permanent vacation. Feeling bogged down with work, home projects, upcoming holidays, and fighting a cold all at the same time... Trying to go to my happy place.

Get out and VOTE!

"So because Obama gets in or McCain gets in, it's not going to be repaired overnight. The economy is not going to be repaired, the schools -- the disaster in our schools -- will not be repaired overnight. Nor will the social conversation be repaired overnight.

However, I would encourage every voter to say to his or her candidate, go in and do it, and you will not do it alone. I will help. You have to get up off that sofa or off that couch and give something to the country -- even if it's one hour every other week to an old people's home -- I will read, go into the children's ward and read, or give to your church or your synagogue or your mosque. ... Offer something to the country. So you don't just sit there." - Maya Angelou

The Best $0.20 I Have Ever Spent