CUT

A few shots that didn't make the Christmas card....

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

Busy December

I think it was way back in October I said before to long we'd be decorating our Christmas tree. Well here it is December 23rd and tonight we are finally going to decorate. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. December was a busy month for us and today is officially the first day of winter break.

Cooper had a musical performance at school singing Christmas songs. He's in the front with the grey jacket & green pants. It was adorable and I was SOOO thankful I was able to get off work to attend.

The boys had their friends here from Texas. You may remember them from some of the summer posts. Their Grandma, our neighbor, passed away mid month so they were here for the services. (which was beautiful) - In fact they are leaving today as I type this. They had a great time playing and are all looking forward to summer when they'll be back. Below is movie night with popcorn - made on the awesome popper they got us for x-mas.
Hanging out-just a cute shot had to share
Billy & I both celebrated our birthdays this month. The kids made Billy a cake and he came over to do his laundry haha. He was really in no mood to be out of bed due to the previous nights celebration, but we had fun hanging out with him.
Cameron had a HUGE project due this past Monday. Why they assign a 3 week project that needed lots of parent supervision in the month of December is a complete mystery to me. I mean really couldn't they wait till January? In any case he did an excellent written report as well as the model below. He deserves an A just for time involved! We were very proud of him for staying so focused & motivated on it. Well, I guess Eddie & I should get at least a B+ too.
I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Maybe once we get the tree decorated it will start to feel like Christmas around here!

Rockin'

A little musical entertainment! Enjoy :-)

Happy 10th Birthday Cameron

Cameron turned 10 on November 27th. We spent the morning on an amazing safari. There is a place in Santa Rosa called Safari West that does jeep tours on their 400 acre property full of amazing animals. There are Zebras, Lemurs, Giraffes, Gazelles, Buffalo...the list goes on & on. Anyway you ride in an open jeep and in most areas the animals are free roaming & could come right up to you. It's quite an adventure. Before the safari we opened presents & after we hung our x-mas lights (big fun for Cameron because we use the tractor) - he played with a friend & we finished the day with ice cream cake. Somehow - as usual- I have posted the pieces all out of whack. So here is his day all turned around.

Cameron kicking back waiting for Eddie to hang some lights

Ready to make a wish
Ta da....the lights
The safari
an example of how close the animals get
on top for an excellent view
this guy came up right next to us when Cameron was on top - it was so cool
starting off the day opening gifts
So, Cameron is officially in the double digits! Happy Birthday Cameron!

Happy Thanksgiving

We hope you all had a great turkey day. We actually stayed home this year which is unusual for us. Grandma Sylvia & Billy came over and we cooked up a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. We had a nice relaxing day hanging around the house. The sun even popped out long enough to open the front door & enjoy the fall air.

It has worked out well that we are home this weekend, Cameron is spending his last day being 9 and looking forward to his 10th birthday tomorrow. Hmm, I wonder whats in store for him....we'll have to wait & see!

Camping at last

It seems like it's been forever since we've been anywhere. Finally over Veteran's weekend we were able to go camping. It rained the first day which made for perfect riding conditions the rest of the weekend. We ran into several friends and had a great time riding & wheeling! It was so great to relax & get away.

Now only 2 more days of school/work, then off for 5 days for Thanksgiving break & celebrating Cameron's birthday.

Keeping Busy

We've been keeping around here trying to get our little landscape area complete enough atleast not to be a mud pit for the winter. We've decided to plant in the spring because we feel if we try to do it now (before it gets to cold) we will be rushing and not make great decisions. Eddie worked to put all our drainage in to route the rain water away from the house which was a big chore so we feel good getting that done.

Cameron & Eddie took a break to help out our neighbors who were shoveling their rock by hand. Cameron got their driveway looking great in a matter of hours. What great neighbors we are :-)

Good thing Eddie wasn't home to see this. She's not supposed to be on the furniture but how cute ?!
One high priority project was to get our path leading from the driveway to the backyard done before the rainy weather. We got it shaped and the base rock done on Sunday. (Loved the extra hour from the time change)


It's so tempting to rush and get things planted. We have several steps to complete before we are at the planting stage so I know not rushing is a good choice. More to come....