Tuesday, November 30th

This outfit looked cuter in my mind, LOL!  I think it’s the boots.

Playing with my point & shoot camera

I’m still hoping for a fancy camera for Christmas, but until then, I’m reading new methods for improving photos.   In these I’m trying to achieve a sparkly look (1st) and a blurred background (2nd & 3rd.)

Cooking w/ bean, the sprouthawk and a standing ‘icus

 

The many faces of beanitude (in her brother’s hat…she has a habit of taking them.)  PS Are boys just naturally huge compared to girls?  My 3 year old should not be able to wear 3-6 month boy clothing, yet can (besides the obvious problem of it being too short.)

This little guy LOVES to stand.  I sure hope he isn’t an early walker…ugh!

Christmas rejects

  

Don’t mock my terrible photo faces, these were the funny rejects.  Trying to take your own pictures for a Christmas card sucks.  Hire a photographer.  P.S. My mom is not a qualified photographer. LOL!  She’ll do in a pinch (and did) but it isn’t recommended.  This photo shoot is what finally put me over the edge into the I NEED a digital SLR camera instead of I just want one really really really badly.  I sure hope Santa brings me one, I’ve been very very good this year!

On the bright side, the Christmas cards have been designed and ordered.  They’re on their way to snowy MN as I type.   I’m super excited to see them IRL as I’m trying out a new company this year.  Look for one in a mailbox near you soon.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had the ultimate low-key Thanksgiving.  Both of the kiddos stayed in their turkey jammies (not feeling well) all day.  We had a delicious feast and gave thanks.  Laure fell asleep on the spare bed waiting for said feast to be ready to eat.  It was quite a peaceful meal as both kids were sleeping. 

22 weeks

Mr. Smiley is sitting unassisted!

Jack & Lauren

A get together

 

My good friend Anna was back in town for a visit so we had to have a get together.  Unfortunately, about 8 of the kiddos were sick and couldn’t make it, so only half of the group was there.  I just love groups shots of children.  You take about 145 pictures and end up with one good one.  Jack was also the beginning of a baby boom in our group.  In the past 5 months there have been 3 babies born!

Ok, I know this isn’t the greatest picture, but it’ll just have to do.  Jack tried some “real” food tonight for the first time.  He enjoyed the sweet potatoes.  We started Lauren with green beans and she went on to hate green beans, so I thought I’d try something different this time around.

Some Papa love

Sorry to my Dad, who was having a bad hair morning, I just had to post this picture.

5 months

 

A visit with Santa

We took the kids to see Santa at the mall this weekend.  Jack seemed to enjoy his very first visit with the jolly man.  Lauren was her typical self when it came to be photo time.  It took about 30 pictures for the mall elves to get the picture.  It only took me about 4 to get this gem. 

 

We also started to do some Christmas baking.  Both of the kiddos got the chance to help out.  Jack seemed to be quite interested in the egg.  He almost cracked it several times.  Lauren helped me count and measure the ingredients in the roll out cookies.

Holiday parade?

 

We went to the first annual holiday parade last night and I don’t think we’re cut out for that kind of event.  Lauren had a great time playing on a giant pile of snow but didn’t enjoy the parade much.  In my opinion,it was way too cold outside for a tiny parade to take that long.  I understand huge gaps in summertime parades when you’re dealing with marching bands and what not, but found few reasonable excuses for such last night. 

The anatomy of a roll

Houston: we have a roller!  Jack *finally* rolled from tummy to back last Friday while I was at a work meeting.  I was very disappointed to have missed it, but knew it would happen again eventually.  Finally, he did it again today.  Luckily, I had the camera in hand to document it.

Lauren decided that she needed to try her hand at taking pictures with my camera next.  They didn’t turn out quite as nicely as they do when she’s using her own camera, but she’s catching on.

Pre-school Thanksgiving feast

 

Nap time

 

Lauren decided that she wanted to hop in Jack’s crib with him and play when he woke up from his nap today.  She was excited that he would share his blanket with her (did he have a choice?)

Tuesday/21 weeks

 

Jack is just so smiley!

Here’s one of Jack practicing to be a big boy and use the potty.  I think we’re a long ways off for that, but the picture is pretty funny (especially if you saw what I cropped out of it.)

Pre-school screening

 

Today, Lauren  had her pre-school screening.  It went well, she totally aced it.  Ok, maybe not aced it, but she did super and is an extraordinary little girl.

Lauren and Kevin had some time to play in the snow before I had to go to work tonight.  They seemed to have a good time building snowmen and trying out a snow sled. 

Gymnastics

 

Today, we went to Lauren’s gymnastics school for some open playtime.  Lauren had a good time, but wasn’t used to so many people there (and all the freedom to do whatever she wanted.)