Blowing in the Wind...

We tried to sneak one last session of the season in...and while hoping for no rain...I didn't think of the wind!  These guys were troopers!  It was cold and windy...but I think it was worth it!  It was a great session and we got some great shots!

Can you believe how cute this little guy is?  He is quite the charmer...as is his brother:-)

Running in the wind...whats more fun than that?

LOVE Daddy and Mommy moments:-)

So fun! Thanks for coming out in the wind!

Decorating the Tree

As I said Beth and Josh and MJ and Miss A came to help us decorate the tree...well, at least we put it up and Josh put the lights on...Josh is the official lighter of all our trees...he does the BEST job...and uses the MOST lights:-)  We also had a photoshoot to do today, so I needed Beth's help with that so we left the guys with the kids...

 

This is what the big kids looked like when we got back:-)  I guess the festivities wore them out!

A Tall Tale

As is tradition, we headed out the day after Thanksgiving to get our tree...after deciding with new babies and low energy levels we shouldn't venture too far we decided on a more local farm...I was glad...the thought of caravan out for an hour drive and then hiking around with the babies was overwhelming to me:-)

Holden was ready:-)

It was COLD...and we had the kids dressed in festive attire hoping for some great photos...I love the tie look:-)

 

The group at the ready...Tom loves it when they give you a big saw to carry around...

 

The bummer is this is this farms last year...a bigger bummer because once we found our tree it just might be my favorite one yet!  A Norway Spruce...we will have to search for other farms that have this kind:-)

There was LOTS of discussion about how big OUR tree would be...we knew Tom's folks would get a tall tree...and we knew Beth and Josh needed a small tree...but what tree would we get?  Where would it go?  Tom declared we wouldn't get a huge tree...we didn't want to spend a lot of money on it...

I thought we should take advantage of the height and size we could get...after all we could put it in our practically empty front room...BUT I understood the cost thing so I started looking at the mid size trees...

So since this was the last year the tree farm would be open, they had limited wander area and limited trees...you can only choose and cut a marked tree...we found a beautiful tall one right away and thought it would be good for Tom's folks...looking around the good trees were either 15+ feet or less then 6 ft...the prices were pretty good too...so all of the sudden Tom says we are getting a BIG tree...hmmm...luckily there were two and only two beautiful 15+ foot trees...so we cut them both down and Grandmere and Grandpere got one and we got the other...it WAS huge!  Beth and Josh found a very nice tree just the size for their living room and we loaded up...

 

Watching the guys cut down the trees is such fun...there is always, planning measuring...picking the saw man...and then the "TIMBER!"

 

Daniel decided conveniently that he needed to eat while the second tree was being cut down, so we ventured to the car...so I sat IN the car while they loaded the tree...all of the sudden the car was engulfed in this giant pine...

 Seriously I thought, "Oh No!  What did we do!"  We knew we were not taking this tree on the freeway...so we resigned to a long drive home...

First we headed back to grandmere's for dinner and to regroup...After we got the tree settled so we could see...

We made it home after passing one cop, I was hoping it wasn't illegal to have a tree hanging WAY off the back of your car!  And then we had to unload and figure out how to put up this massive tree!  Luckily Beth and Josh arrived early the next morning to help!  It was beautiful!  We had to cut off almost 6 feet to get it to fit!  Beth was happy that meant a lot of extra greens to swag and decorate with!

 

AND that's my tree story and I am sticking to it!

The Cousins 4 Months

Daniel at 4 months...

So cute!  We were getting ready for our festive Tree Hunt and decided to snap some pics of the babes...Hard to believe Miss A was so small to being with...and that she is a week older than Daniel...Although as you can see from these pics she is gaining on him:-)

 

 Miss A 4 months!  Look at that chin:-)

 

 Doesn't Daniel look scared?  Miss A is like, "what, you talkin to me?"

 

 She LOVES to stick out her tongue!

 

 A smile:-)

 

Trying to pose them together...didn't work so well!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was spent at Toms folks house...as has been tradition the last couple of years, we stayed the night there with Beth and Josh and their fam, all waking up to breakfast, and then a little Tree Hunt:-)

Anyway back to Thanksgiving...It was fun, and relaxing....

I was responsible for Acorn Squash, and some dinner rolls...due to the week's happenings I barely made it to the house with the proper ingredients...and then my poor dough didn't rise...good thing I am learning to LET GO!  Really I was fine, so not my norm to just roll with the punches...

The food was great, and I ate way too much...luckily I don't care for dessert, so I passed that up till the next night:-)

 

So glad our kiddos love each other so much!  Each day I hear "Is today a MJ day?"  And when I answer yes there is clapping and cheering:-)

 

As always seems to happen at holiday time in a Robertson house (usually ours), there was a little appliance malfunction...But David was on it, whipping out this old thing...What's that you say?  not sure what that is?  Why it's an old hair dryer...yup the kind you use with a shower cap looking thing...of course that IS what you would use to defrost your ice maker too isn't it?  Seriously he got that thing out and we nearly dies of hysterics...it belonged to someones mother, we gave him such a hard time I had to document it!  Of course it came from his appliance graveyard um I mean garage!

 

Miss A, well she loved Uncle Tom's music...we all do...LOVE this series:-)

What a great day!  We have so much to be thankful for, amazing family near and far, abundant blessings...a God who loves us more than we can comprehend...We are blessed!

Let Go...

Not Let's Go...Let Go...As in, learn a lesson my dear daughter, something I have been trying to teach you FOREVER...ok I adlibbed a bit there...but in today there was the unmistakable feeling that in the circumstances my heart had something to learn from my God...

I had plans for today...lists of errands to accomplish, money to deposit, money to spend, things to get done, for thanksgiving, Christmas, and just for life...you know your typical Type A person's Tuesday...Ironically we were all dressed and ready to get out the door pretty early...I had talked to Beth, she suggested I bring Holden over for playtime while I ran around,. so I only had to get one kid in and out...Holden was ESTATIC to spend the day with MJ...So I grabbed my lists and we went to load the car...

I grabbed the hatch, it opened without even needing to be released..."Oh no, not again" I thought...SO I say to Holden, "don't climb in yet let me make sure the car works"...you see we have had a couple instances where doors didn't get closed or lights were left on and after strapping in the kids I find that the battery is dead...sure enough the battery WAS DEAD...

Ugh, all of the sudden I was encased in a BAD ATTITUDE and I felt I couldn't get out of it...I called my mom, and she told me to SLOW down, listen to what God was saying and spend some time with my boys not trying to get ANYTHING done (so foreign to me)  OH did I mention Holden was in near hysterics that he couldn't go see MJ and she couldn't come to us because their car is in the shop!  TRAPPED thats how I felt...so listening to my mom I got off the phone and prayed...I knew Holden wanted a playmate, not a mom who was trying to clean, etc...BUT you see friends were coming over later for a playdate, and well the house was how we live in it not how I LET people see it...

I really felt a tug that I NEEDED to be my son's playmate today and let everything else go...SO I canceled the playdate, so I didn't have to clean...I put Daniel down for his morning nap, and I made hot cocoa with Holden to go in our new special Christmas mugs, we made new playdough, blue per his request, and then we sat down and played with it...making noodles, frosting, ice cream, and other food items...

Soon I got a call from Josh saying he had time to stop by and give my car a jump...I immediately begin plotting...OK he comes by, I head to Beth's with my recipe...the kiddos help us bake then I leave Holden with them, and run my million errands, DONE!  No day was wasted and I played with my son!  SO we have lunch, we play...all while waiting for Josh...the hours tick by, so I finally decide Holden should rest before we go...a couple hours later I realize Josh isn't coming(he got tied up with work...) Oh well I think I had a great day no worries...

A little before 4 the doorbell rings...as I am walking to the door I see my friend outside, she didn't get the message about the playdate cancel!  FEAR in my heart!  Oh no!  My house is a mess!  What will she think!  How can I let her in!  God whispered, "let it go...it's not important"  I let her in:-)  And preceded to have a great visit, and a wonderful surprise in that yeah my house wasn't as it usually is for guests but that isn't what matters, what is awesome is God provided a friend on a day when I needed to let it go and just be...and it was good.  I needed her visit, I needed the time with my sons, I needed to forget about my todo list for a day...

So tonight I thank God for the many blessings in my life...For my family, who I love to spend time with...My oldest son who constantly makes me smile, and amazes me with his mind...My youngest who is becoming more engaging everyday, who is thriving and learning new things, as well as teaching me new things daily...for my husband who ROCKS!  For my friends, especially those who God uses to gently teach me what is important...For a great day, despite, lack of sleep and changing of plans!  I hope I remember this tomorrow, when I will be tempted to cross off as many todos as possible, and might miss an improtant opportunity to just live and be with the people in my life...

hmmm....

We have rolling over! But it is not as I had hoped...it seems to frustrate him more than make him happy, and has interrupted his napping...He is not happy about it...But we are only at day 1...this could explain the sleeping troubles we have had as late...I am a firm believer that developmental milestones mess with sleep...Holden definitely had it and Daniel seems to too...I know its good...but today was rough...

Me and My Boys

 

My Boy Knows his Mama!

Daniel definitely knows who I am...I have left him with Beth and the Grands and sometimes he's fine...sometimes he just needs his mama!

But the best happened the other day at the park. Holden had to go to the bathroom(of course) and I handed Daniel off to a friend...he was fine all while I was gone, but as soon as I came back and he got his eye on me he started fussing till he was in my arms...Love that!

It seems as if Daniel is going to teeth early like Holden...he has been drooling and chewing a ton...and unfortunately the last few nights he has awoken every 2 hours...it wears a mama out! He pushes him self up pretty well...when he is on his back he tries and tries to sit up...because he can see his Big Brother better that way...so often we are holding him facing out so he can take it all in...

When you say hi to Daniel, he babbles back with something that sounds remarkably like "hi"...he coos and chats a lot...and really only cries if he is tired or hungry...We are coming up on 4 months, and I am curious to hear how much he weighs and how tall he is...we are growing out of all 3-6 months stuff and have moved into 6-9 and 6-12 months stuff...

Holden...well Holden is so amazing! Every day I marvel at how his mind works, I revel in his make believe stories, and of course I am challenged by his 3-ness:-) He has learned to ride his bike and now likes to pretend he is Lightening McQueen or Mater...He and Tom play soccer and football in the house...He asks so many questions I told Tom one day I am going to tally his questions up...I am sure there are 100/day...

He loves to help, He has turned the corner on trying new foods, and eating meat:-) He sleeps well and has transitioned into a new naptime routine...which sometimes includes just playing in his room for a long time, and then going to sleep or just coming out...it's pretty interesting...

Preschool has been so good for him, he is coming out of his shell, and has made new friends...He loves his teachers and we have come to the point where as soon as we arrive he is gone and I barely get a goodbye!

These are my boys and I am SO blessed!

A Comparison

Holden Nov 2006

Daniel November 2009

Just for Fun!

This is what Daniel and I do while Holden is at preschool:-)

Play!

Preschool Thanksgiving

 Today was Holden's preschool Thanksgiving party...the boys got top hats, the girls all three of them got pilgrim bonnets:-)

Holden didn't want to wear his, I made him:-)  He looks happy doesn't he?

 

So here's the story they have turkey on rolls, grapes, corn, and stuffing...I figure fine Holden will eat the corn and grapes, two of his favorite things...he doesn't really eat meat you know...HE ATE THE TURKEY SANDWICH!  didn't touch the corn OR the grapes...I think he ate the stuffing too!  And then wolfed down a pumpkin pie piece...since then he regularly eats sandwiches:-)

The teacher said it usually is the least favored of the parties due to the food...but they had boys asking for more and more and didn't have the usual leftovers!  Maybe its the large amount of boys?

 

Thanks Catherine for capturing me and my boys:-)

 

The favored Ms. Danica:-)

 

Another friend offered to take this photo at the park...knowing I am usually behind the camera:-)

I love preschool!

Showering a friend...

Yesterday we showered a great friend and her new baby girl:-)  With a little girly tea party.  I loved doing this, and what made it most fun was doing it together with good friends:-)

I know she felt loved and that's what it was meant to do:-)

 

Our friend's daughter made these origami flowers, they were too too cute!

 

 The food Yum!