Oh the weather outside is frightful ...

I can already tell, this winter is going to be an adventure. Get ready!

Hanging out in my snow boots, just waiting for someone to get the hint.
It's hard for people to take me seriously about going outside, when I look so cute in nothing.

Picking out the tree at Rockland Nursery. Dan and Sam go over the game plan.

Sam trys to convince his Dad that he has found "the tree"

Done deal. This kid got his way!

After we got the tree on Saturday, we celebrated winter with a romp in the snow. Sam still isn't quite sure about the snow, he is still figuring it out. It usually takes a few snow balls and he is ready to come in (I think it is because he can no longer feel his fingers), we are working on keeping the gloves on.

The next day, Dan and I decorated the tree. New routine, do it while Sam is sleeping and then he may not be interested in the pretty ornaments. Breakables at the top, kid friendly at the bottom.

Starting to feel the cabin fever kick in. We have started to dress up Sam for our own entertainment. He does put on quite the show. It's funny to hear him crack himself up.

Wearing mommy's swim goggles.

We got a pretty good storm last week and Grandma and Papa were up for a visit. Grandma helps Sam get into his snow suit for the first time. He looked like a big red marsh mellow.

Anybody seen "The Christmas Story"

Ultra close up of the rosy cheeks.

Later that day, Sam got a box from his Grandma and Pap in the mail. Grandma got him an apron so that he can wear it when he helps mommy bake cookies. He wasn't too happy about it at first, but he got upset when I tried to take it off him before he went to bed.

He is such a good boy at school

Sam had a great day at school today! Sometimes I find myself "extra" proud of my little guy. It is so nice to hear that he is a good kid away from home too.

Ms. Mimi writes: Sam had an awesome day. He is such a good boy! He listens very well to direction and does a super job waiting his turn. We shook some jingle bells today and Sam made a very frosty snowman!

He ate all of his chicken, rice and applesauce ... he was still hungry. Could we be turning a corner?

The next day:
Ms. Katie writes: Sam had a great day. we sang Jingle Bells and Rudolph during circle, we also read a very cute penguin book that Sam picked out. He was book helper. Sam had a lot of fun doing puzzles with Ms. Katie. Oh!! and Sam was such a good friend today. Sharing and making sure his friends were OK. He really touched our hearts.

He ate the cheese off of his cheese sandwich, all of his cottage cheese and applesauce.
That's my boy!

So many parties so little time .... Tis the season!

So we are amidst the Christmas season, and what comes with the season by a million and one Christmas parties ... which by the way, I love. Sam has gotten his dose of parties and of course Santa Claus. You would think that he might get used to seeing the big chubby man in the red suit and big bulky white beard. Let's face it the Claus resembles his Pap quite a bit - and he loves his Pap. Here are a few pictures of the parties we have attended so far. As a reminder for myself especially, Sam had no issues with Santa last year when he was 8 months ... times change. The first party of the season was at school. I thought for sure Sam would be on board with seeing Santa at school with all of his friends. Check out his face with the man in the big red suit walked in. He instantly looked for me, and his eyes said please don't make he get close to that guy. And of course I didn't. I figure he will let me know when he is ready. He is awfully cute when you ask him about Santa he says in a deep voice - HO HO HO! We saw Santa again a week later and the Newcomers Party. Sam still a little reluctant to get too close but willing to wait in line to check him out. Again, we did not force him to get close - even though it may not look that way. Dad gives it a try and all he said was Mommy and he would not look at Santa. So Mommy jumps in. But, he still won't look at the Claus. Dan had a good time with the kids at the party, he wrestled with them and got his but kicked by the toddlers. Sam goes down for the count.The latest party was next door, where the entire neighborhood got together to await the arrival of St. Nick. Michelle (the hostess), has older kids, she climbed up into the attic to pull out some of there old toys. The kids loved them. Sadie, the latest Maplewood addition made a visit too. Sam loves her until she starts jumping and chewing on him and then he looks at me like get this thing off me ... in the picture above I have just told him to be gentle, this is him showing me how gentle he is. Robbie entertained us at the piano. Let me tell you, there was never a dull moment. Priceless picture. Having a snack with Jackson. Waiting for St. Nick to arrive. Lisa and Zack being silly. This is as close as we got to St. Nick at this party. Still wouldn't look at him. Sam was happy when he got a gift from St. Nick. He got two pairs of jammies and a book. All the other kids got cool toys. Mom struck out on that one, this wasn't the time to choose to be practical. I'm BORING! One of our favorite people Alana, she is the closest thing to "official babysitter" that we have. She is such a sweetie. St. Nick is her dad. Just chillin, watching St. Nick pass out all the presents. Maplewood Ladies in the HOUSE!!! Eww Eww! Sam getting slap happy at the end of the night. And his spent ... that is all the partying we have in us for now.

Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

Hanover Newcomers Holiday Craft Fair

I did my first craft fair this year and I didn't do too bad. I don't think I have broken even yet ... but with all the merchandise I have left, I am sure I will. I sold baby goods.

Baby Journal Jars $10 (I got alot of "great idea" but didn't sell one)
Taggie Blankets $8 - $12, this was a top seller
Burp Clothes $3 each, still have a million of these left
Diaper Dandys (diaper/wipe holder) $9, these were a top seller too

I walked away with $100. Not bad for the first time.

I still have plenty left, so if you are looking for a great baby shower gift - let me know. I can cut you a deal (wink, wink).
I did the show with the woman who runs the community sewing class, we had a ball sewing this fall. Her table was "pets and christmas" goods. She was disappointed ... we always have next year!

Have you seen our house?

Here are some recent pictures of the house. Dan and his dad have spent some time this fall working on re-shingling the house - at least the side and the back. They are hard workers. At this point we are just planning on putting ceder siding on the entire back of the house and the sides, and keep the clapboard gray on the front. Anyway, here are some recent photos. We still have lots of fun projects in our future. Thank you Don for always being gung ho to help out!


It is really crazy all the work we have done to the house since we moving in "Spring 2008.' I would love to put together a post that shows some before and after shots. Maybe I will work on that after the new year.

Here is our nice wood pile from this summer (http://babylightfamily.blogspot.com/2009/05/timber.html ) that hasn't made it's way inside the house yet.
You can see the side of the house that has the new cedar siding and the new windows. We finally have replaced all of the windows on the first floor of the house. Efficiency at its best.

Here is the side of the house, I actually think this is the first picture we have ever taken of this side of the house. We will be putting cedar shingles here next spring.

The 'glorious' pool. I swore up and down this summer that we would not live another summer with NO pool. Well folks it looks like it is going to be another hot summer. I dream of the day we will all dive in to get away from the heat. Not the Summer 2010 though.

The back of the house - Almost there!

Backyard.

Sideyard looking out into the cul-de-sac.

Bowling - Thank goodness for Candle Pin

Sam discovered bowling. Gosh, it has been so long since I have been bowling. I can remember the Friday nights in high school, going to the bowling alley for 'Rock-n-Bowl, we had so much fun. I have been introduced to 'candle pin' bowling, I guess that is popular in this part of the country. Never heard of it! Anyway, it was perfect for Sam and his buddies. The ball is smaller. Check out the little guys. They had a great time. It was something new for Sam and it kept his attention for 30 minutes.

The boys get a pep talk before the game begins.
Super Psyched Sam!

Sam gets his first lesson from his buddy Zack.

Abe and Lisa look on as the others are warming up.

'Watch your fingers buddy' Sam gets a gentle warning from Dad.

I am not what was more fun ... rolling the ball down the lane -or- waiting for it to come back through the return.

That nifty little aluminum looking thingy really helped line up the balls for the boys. I am not sure if normal candle pin has bumpers or not, but that helped out too.

I don't ever want to know where those fingers have been. Remember we are in a bowling alley.