Mission Impossible

I attempted the impossible today...well, better stated, what I attempted to do today turned out to be impossible! I tried to take a picture of the two kids together for our Christmas card. This is a process that began a month or so ago when I bought them cute, coordinating outfits (that was the easy part!!). Then today, I dressed them in the outfits (getting a bit more difficult). And finally, I set out to get THE picture! The one where both kids in their coordinating outfits are not only next to each other, but also looking at the camera, smiling and looking absolutely adorable. Like I said, mission impossible with a 3 1/2 year old and a 16 month old! So here are some shots that are not "card worthy". So view at your enjoyment, knowing that these aren't actually the worst shots! Those were deleted as soon as they were put on the computer!

They really are enjoying this whole process!

My battle most often was getting them to stay next to each other so I could snap a shot!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for! Faith was very thankful that Pumpkin Pie was on the menu for Thanksgiving dinner! While she has quite a sweet tooth (I have no idea where she could have received that from!!?), pumpkin pie has emerged as a favorite dessert! So, we needed to get a picture of Faith, Aunt Renee, and the delicious pumpkin pie that was consumed on Thanksgiving day!

And for the first time ever, I ventured out on Black Friday to do a bit of shopping! I didn't get up early (well, earlier than normal I should say!), wait in any lines, and I wasn't planning on shopping, but it turned out that Target had a certain item on sale that Faith had on her Christmas list! So, I went out, at 8:30am, battled the crowds at Target, and was successful in purchasing the big, exciting, toy for Faith!

Brotherly Sisterly love!

One of the joys I have experienced lately is seeing Faith and Shane interact and watch how much they love each other! I must admit that I never imagined the two kids would have so much fun together so soon! And the way that they have to do everything the other one is doing, well maybe that isn't always so cute (it can lead to toy stealing, which inevitably leads to tears!!), let's just say it keeps life interesting! But watching Shane want to read books as Faith does, it brings a smile to a mom's face! Here are a few pics of the great love they share!

Pretending to have a tea party

Active Shane doesn't sit still for long!


Teacher Faith makes sure he does what she wants!

I'll be sure to remind them of this love and these pictures when they get older!

The Kids' Room

A couple of weeks ago we were able to have Faith and Shane's room repainted. After the wainscoting was put up, everything needed to be repainted. And we of course wanted it painted before we put up the special decor we had to make their surfer room complete. Now that it's finished, here are a few pics of the completed (well, until Shane is ready for his "big boy" bed) project!

Faith's bed

New curtains

Hanging bubbles

Bed with the surf boards

With all the painting in the house the past few weeks, the kids wanted to do some of their own! Since I'm not into having them actually paint, we came up with a solution - paint brushes and water outside!! They love it!

Halloween

Happy November! It is hard to believe that we are already in the month of November and are looking towards Thanksgiving and Christmas and have Halloween in the rear view mirror! Time sure does fly by! The kids had fun dressing up for Halloween, and of course, Trick-or-Treating! Unfortunately, Steve had to work, but we made the best of it by going to a Halloween party at one of our friend's house. Here are some pictures of the little ones in their costumes...as you can see, we had a family theme this year!

Cowboy Shane

Cowgirl Faith

I tried desperately to get a really cute, both kids looking at the camera and smiling shot, but this was the best I could come up with!

Group shot of all the kids at the party

My friends Julie and Danica and I