Christmas Is Coming!

Jack and I have been busy decorating for the holiday season. We plan to get Pat involved this weekend as we have tasked him with hanging the lights outside. It does seem early this year but everyone else on my road seems to have their decorations up so I guess we will follow suit.

I am so proud of my little man. He is a total chatter box. He seems to be able to pronounce and remember any word we teach him. A complete sponge! Recently he has been learning about snowmen and Santa. He knows that Santa says ‘Ho Ho Ho’ and when asked “What do you think Santa will bring you for Christmas Jack” he responds quite quickly with “A Bike!”. Bikes are still his favourite. Of course there are many more meaningful things to teach him about the holidays, we are just getting started.

Last night we attended the Tree Lighting in our town’s centre. It draws a crowd every year and it is so nice to see the community out and about together as a community. This upcoming Saturday we will be front row centre for the Santa Claus parade in Nanny’s porch. I LOVE that the Christmas spirit is already in the air. Such a magical time of year especially when seeing everything through a child’s eyes.

Gross!

This is why boys need their fathers...


Pat & Jack find a mouse

 

Jack LOVES animals...especially gross ones

  

No we did not let Jack touch this...but he REALLY wanted to

All dolled up!

It is very rare that Pat and I are both this dressed up at the same time so thought I would share a few pics from our friends wedding a few weeks ago. 

...And yes...I know his pants are too short.  I tried to get him to try them on after we picked them up but of course he did not get them on his a** until an hour before the wedding.  Sorry T!  Why is it that dressing a man becomes the woman's responsibility after you move in together?  Because I always feel like it is my responsibility when his shirt is not ironed.  Oh well, he still looks very handsome...short pants and all ;)

Awwwee!

Trying to do a cool photo booth pose and failing miserably!

These photos were taken by Fredericton, N.B. photographer Andrew Kelly.

"The purpose of fun is to live it."

Mommy for a day (or 3)..

Last week I headed out on my first business trip since Jack was born.  It was difficult to leave my boys at home alone but I was excited for some alone time, shopping and to allow the two of them to bond even more.  Being a mommy in my household means working from sun up till sun down, something you may hear me complain about from time to time.  I have to laugh at how much I missed doing all of that work while I was gone.  It just proved to me that this is what I live for right now, working and caring for my family.  A little reminder is always nice though ;) 

Turns out daddy and Jack made out just fine without me around but I know they were both happy to see me walk through the door Friday night.  They may have made due without me to cook, clean and do bedtime routine but one thing is clear....they both need my fashion sense.  Below is a photo a friend took while I was away.  Notice Jack dressed from head to toe in Camouflage.  Daddy's Touch! haha This is a keepsake photo for the album :)

Squash*Sweet Potato Curry Soup

Here is a yummy fall puree soup.  A friend passed this on to me after a girls dinner party we had and I LOVE it.  Adjusted the recipe a bit - like I always seem to do.  It is fairly easy to make with only a bit of prep work peeling, cutting and cursing at the squash.

In a medium stockpot heat for approx. 5 mins

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 chopped onion

Add ingredients below and simmer for 30 to 40 mins

• 1 squash
• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 medium potato (optional)
• 1 cup carrotts
• 4 cups chicken stock (I like the homestyle kind)
• 1 tsp curry powder

Puree in blender
Stir in desired amount of milk and serve (you can also add some honey if you like)

If you like these veggies you will like this soup!
ENJOY :)

Fall Photos

Jack's Little Pumpkin from Grampie's Garden

LOVE my Mums this year...the red is so pretty and so 'me'

Our Maples are turning colour and making a mess again this year but I LOVE them

Afternoon out with the girls.  Visiting the goats at Hunter's.

Fall - A longtime Favourite!

Fall is absoluetly my favourite time of year.  The air, the smells, the feeling...I love it all.

A few things that I adore about fall:

• Thanksgiving, such a family time of year
• The pace of life really seems to slow a bit in the fall
• The colours (I am such an earth/nature tone person)
• Apple crumble baking in the oven made with freshly picked local apples
• The maples leaves turning colour at home
• Fall mum flowers are simply one of my favourites
• Large sunflowers blooming
• Pumpkins and Gords
• The smell and feel of the crisp air
• Farmers Markets (with knitting and jarred goods)
• Fall candle scents are the best (I burn them all year round)
• It's time to dig out the scarves, leggings and tall black boots
• Pumpkin spice flavoured coffee, muffins, pie, etc.
• Mattie's little hunter orange dog sweater (just in case she is mistaken for a moose) 
• Plus Jack just looks so darn cute in his little camo fleece and winter hat

Wow this list really proves that I must be a country girl at heart!

Uncle Matt and Mike

As most of you know Jack has twin uncles. I never really thought much about how he would react to them…whether or not he would be able to tell them apart. I have known them for so long that I take for granted they look so similar. Jack now knows both of their names and can say both names he just mixes them up. What else can we expect I guess?? We went to visit Uncle Matt last night and Jack proved just how smart he is. After calling Matt Mike a few times and being repeatedly corrected he decided to come up with his own version and combine the two names ‘Maat-ike’. After thinking about this I am completely amazed. Yes - there is a chance this was coincidence however I am going to choose to believe we have one smart cookie on our hands who decided to combine the two names to make one (after all he can't get it wrong that way). Perhaps this could be Jack’s potential nickname for the two of them?? Time will tell.

One thing is certain he definitely gets his love of motorized vehicles from the twins. I can’t keep this kid out of the truck or off the lawnmower. He is 110% obsessed. I swear it has to be genetic.

Big Boy Room!

From baby blue to crayon colours.  This little nursery had to be transformed over the weekend as my big baby boy is turning into a little man.  I removed the changing table to make room for the big toy chest that was passed down through Jack's father's family.  A gift he will surely cherish for many years and likely pass along to his little ones.  Painted the old brown dresser bright RED to make it a little more modern and fun.  Hung some paper lanterns as Jack is obsessed with balloons right now.  He calls them balls and insists on swinging at them every time we come into his room (not really sure how long they will last).  Finally I put out some big boy toys that he recognizes like his Buzz and Woody dolls and removed some of the baby like teddies from his shelf. 

This big boy is ready to snooze in style!