Prime Pumpkin Time

So it was an... interesting Halloween this year, to say the least, but we made a weekend of it, that's for sure.

Friday night we did cousin pumpkin carving night with Eli and Sophie, huge success.

Then Saturday we hit up a couple Halloween parties. I got Pax ready for the Ninja reveal...

And we were on our way.

By the way, I was an archer. Don't mistake me for Robin Hood. And please tell everyone else so they stop asking me if I'm Robin Hood.

And it's a pretty good thing we got that picture of the three of us together dressed up, because that would be the last time we were dressed up for Halloween festivities. 

Monday came with a party at Mabel's school...

And a napping Ninja (wait, do ninjas nap? I really don't think ninjas nap).

And I am not pictured because, well, I spent the afternoon and evening throwing up and laying down. I managed to rally a little bit and sit on the porch with dad passing out candy while Mom, Mae and Pax trick-or-treated with Ana and Sid. Oh, and check out Mae's face paint. Mom did that. Wish I had a better close-up because it was so good. When Mae's mouth was closed she totally had the side tongue wagging down and to the side.

All in all we'll look to avoid the stomach flu when this puppy comes around next year.

Christmas Eve (well, kind of) at Nana's

Well, this year for the first time ever we did not celebrate Christmas Eve on Christmas Eve itself. Uncle Brian (the State trooper) had to work on Christmas Eve so we celebrated it Sunday night, on the 22nd.

There were lots of activities...

Some of our favorite cousins (Hannah)

and some gift opening

Side note: Check out the dog in the background to your right in the photo. Doesn't it look like a real dog? Nana probably wishes... that's just a pillow.

And then it was time to tickle the ivory and play some Christmas carols. I rocked my Christmas piano recital songs - Angels We Have Heard on High and Rudolph -

and then Isaiah hit the keys and that boy can play.

And since I had my seat warm there on the bench I hung while Dad and Mom did their thing.

And then Nana did her thing! She's been taking piano lessons, too.

And not to be outdone, next came Uncle Brian. Wasn't a Christmas song, mind you, but he still has one song committed to memory from 30 years ago. Well played, Uncle B.

And while we did our thing, Mae did hers with Buddy.

All in all it was another wonderful Christmas Eve (well, kind of) at Nana's.

Hoppin Down the Bunny Trail

So I'm like, "Mae, here's the first egg I found and it has chocolate covered raisins in it. Now this easter bunny tries to be tricky so in order to find all the eggs we're going to have to have a strategy going in and we're going to have to execute."

And from there, we took care of business. I mean, come on, the egg in the light trick?

Hey Mr. Bunny, Mae's still like 22 inches tall so anything near the floor she has a pretty good handle on.

In her potty... again this year...?

In my shoe? Seriously? Sly, but not sly enough.

Then it was time for Mae to assess the situation.

Later in the morning we were off to Nana's for Easter brunch and to spend the afternoon. Got some great cameo pics with some of my favorite people...

And our favorite furry friend.

Awesomest cousins alert!!

Then the big egg hunt began at Nana's and Mae sprinted out of the gate.

Afterwards, we counted up our earnings - I walked away with $10.28 and Mae had about $9.37.

And then Mae got into the Easter Spirit when she saw there was someone who didn't get any eggs. Got to hand it to that kid, she's always looking for someone to give some love to. This time it happened to be Buddy, who finds himself on the receiving end of a LOT of Mabel love.

A quick look back at Christmas

Well, since we were all sick as can be right after Christmas, I never got around to posting Christmas pics.

So here goes nothing.

First off, here is our tree. Worst. Tree. Ever. Since we were already at Costco we went all mainstream and got our tree from there.

Long story short - 3.5 hours later, after dad had dragged this tree out to the alley and we went up to our local garden to get our tree, we were back in business. And at school I made the angel to put on top... bonus.

Okay, fast-forward to Christmas Eve at Nana's. I got this awesome computer...

And Mae got one too. Thing was, after Mae opened up her computer she spent the next 25 minutes on it. See the presents behind her? Not interested, just rocked the computer. NERD ALERT! She did end up getting on this horse a little while later.

Got some awesome pics Mae and then some more with the cousins.

I've been telling you for years Eli is just a straight baller.

We left apples and a cookie for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, which were a big hit. Then Mae and I came down together and opened gifts.

Um, yeah, chapstick was a huge score, been asking for that since before Thanksgiving. Ah, the simple things.

We got mom this pancake shaper that does Sesame St. characters.

Mom, however, probably didn't need it. Did I ever tell you she is a professional. Requests Christmas morning were flying out the window - WREATH! PRESENT! SNOWFLAKE!

PRESENT! SNOWFLAKE! CHRISTMAS TREE!

SANTA HAT! ANOTHER SNOWFLAKE! CANDY CANE!

See what I mean.

And now back to our regularly scheduled nerd alert.

Spent the next three weeks puking, coughing, sneezing, ear infecting, the whole bit. But we're better now and getting set for BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!