Our Littlest Elf (who likes to get up at the crack of dawn)

Its always so peaceful late at night when the kids are in bed. Sometime I wind up staying up much too late because I get working on projects and I really enjoy that quiet time. The little elf pictured never really cares if I stayed up late or not. He has always been an early riser, and lately has been waking up everyday at 5:20. I think that he probably enjoys the quiet house in the morning, and never wants to miss out on that by just sleeping. After all, he can always nap later...:)

This morning, he picked up the Santa hat, and was posing quite sweetly. I have to admit, I do sometimes enjoy this early morning time with just him too.

Last Year's Sledding Fun

First Snowfall

What a winter wonderland we woke up to this morning! And how fun that the kids' first day back at school after Thanksgiving break was a very snowy one! Right when the boys woke up this morning, they went running to the window, and were just so excited with all of the possibilities that a fresh snowfall brings. The house was all abuzz with getting out the snowpants, boots and other winter gear. Evan felt he had to take part as well, and so decided to try on everyone's boots. Caroline wanted to suit up right when she woke up, no matter that she wasn't going to school for an hour.

So here we go! I hear we have a few more inches of snow in the forecast. Let it snow!

The kids helped Dave shovel the driveway tonight, and treated me to a few snowballs when I came out to take their picture. :) Such rosy cheeks they have!

Decking the Halls

Up until this year, we've always had a real tree. This year my sister, Karen, gave us an artificial tree, and our kids were THRILLED. (Thanks, Karen!) Seriously, they were going on and on about how we had never had a fake tree before. And how it was so fun because it was just like putting a puzzle together. And they were so proud of it once it was completely assembled.

Looking at the second picture, there are some circumstances that confine our ornaments and candy canes to the middle third of the tree. First, Evan loves candy canes, so they need to be high enough where he can't reach them. We did catch him once already hiding behind the tree munching on a candy cane! Second, even though I only let the kids hang the non-glass or hand-made ornaments, they are always concerned that Evan will get a hold of them, so again, they place them out of Evan's reach. Third, the kids can't reach the top third of the tree. (I might have to do a little spreading out after they go to bed!) But it truly is such a joy to watch the kids hang all those ornaments, reminiscing and telling stories as they go, and savoring the unique design of our tree at this time of our lives.

More Deep Thoughts...by Seth

I have to admit...I always have taken a lot of pictures. I am always taking about 14 shots with my camera when probably one or two would do it.
Seth has a mind of his own, and definitely diverges from his mother's way of thinking at times. One of my favorite stories about him was when I was furiously trying to document his first day of Kindergarten. I took pictures of him at breakfast, getting his backpack on, sitting on our front bench, walking to school with his big brother, waiting in line, with his teacher, with his friends.
Apparently I was driving the poor child nuts, and upon my taking the 433rd picture that morning, Seth asked me, "Mom, why are you taking so many pictures?"
I told him, "Well, Seth, we have to take lots of pictures so that we can remember your first day of Kindergarten."
He responded (rather quickly I thought), "Moooommmm, I can remember the first day of Kindergarten with just one picture."
I remembered that line when I took about ten pictures of the kids setting up the Christmas tree tonight. And he didn't complain. He must be getting used to me by now. :)

Our Thankful List

I've been inspired by a Thanksgiving post that I read on another blog today (and my dear husband suggested the idea as well). So here, in no particular order, is a thankful list compiled by the Nosek kids:

family...friends...candy...pizza...video games...funny things that Evan does...family nights...food...clothes...shelter...playtime!...Cub Scouts...ice cream...Christmas...books...the book I made...my own computer I want for Christmas...I am thankful for my mom and her kisses...I am thankful for hair...doorknobs, because without them we couldn't go outside...pink...refrigerators...starting to write...food but not chili, pasta or spaghetti...chicken nuggets...my birthday...sleepovers...playing with my cousins...playing tackleball with my dad...Great America...Wisconsin Dells...the lake...my new boat shelf...going to the zoo or farm...holding chicks...my bed...

Partial thankful list from Mom and Dad: Henry...Seth...Caroline...Evan

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have a lot to be thankful for, but right at the top of my list has to be having a wonderful family and the special times we spend together. Love you all!

Before the feast

Cousins on the couch

Why you don't leave your 2 year old alone with a red cupcake even for one minute...

Enjoying chocolate turkeys, compliments of Grandma Orton

Robbie was an angel! He fell asleep in his high chair while we ate dinner!

Whewwww....

After a week that was speeding by at a hectic pace, having the kids home from school and keeping them busy with playdates and school projects, getting the house clean and keeping it clean to have everyone over tomorrow, MOM IS TIRED! It felt so good to stretch out on the couch tonight to watch Charlie Brown Thanksgiving with the kids. Evan thought it was a good idea to stretch out too. Turning two can really tire a boy out. Speaking of Evan's age...click on the video to see what Evan's brothers and sister taught him. They were very pleased that he learned to say his age, although sometimes Evan likes to tease them by saying that he's 3 (little stinker!).