A Visit With Santa...

While Grammy was visiting we really kept her busy. But most of all, we wanted to share the trip to see Santa with her. The Bass Pro Shop in Ashburn was giving FREE, yes FREE pictures with Santa. It was so much fun. The store was decorated like an outdoor wonderland. The boys were so excited to see Santa. Brandon asked him for a Bakugan 7 in 1 and Ryan asked for Moon Sand Amusement Park.

Waiting in line for our turn to see Santa
Almost there, two more families to go! WOOHOOO!

Merry Christmas Santa! We promise to be good.

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

We decorated the house while Grammy was here over Thanksgiving weekend. She helped with deorating the tree. A glass of wine, some decking the halls.. it was lots of fun!

Adding some cheer to the hallway and stairs, Eddie hates this part, there is always garland that sheds and we find it everywhere. But it looks nice when it is finished!

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care....

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving is always lots of fun for our family. It was my Dad's favorite holiday. Corey, Lindsay, James and Grammy came down for the day. This was the first time that James was mobile and running around checking things out. Brandon and Ryan always look forward to playing with their cousin and I of course, got my squishing and hugs in! As, usual, we had tons of food... Crab Dip, Baked Brie with Peach Preserves and Jalapenos, Cheese and Crackers all to snack on while the turkey was in the oven. I go big on the turkey at 22 pounds as I love the left overs! Dessert was pumpkin pie and apple pie (a request from Lindsay who had a craving)! We found out while she was visiting that we will have a new member in the family next summer. WOOHOO! I will be an Aunt again! My boys are split.. Brandon wants a girl and Ryan a boy. And of course, Grammy is praying hard for a little girl. But, most of all, we want healthy and no complications!

Below are pics from the day! Enjoy, hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours!

Chillaxing waiting for dinner!

Why can't you all look at the camera together?

Sitting down for dinner, come on let's eat already!

We are ready mom, bring on the food!

James checking out the Turkey leg.. go for it buddy!

Loving Aunt Jamie's Turkey! YUMMOH!

Carving Pumpkins

For all the grumbling that my family did about white pumpkins... I did not even get to carve one. Brandon and Eddie grabbed them right away. Hmmmph! Ryan described to me how he wanted his face. Brandon took right away to creating his own and used the special kids pumpkin knife to carve on his own. Eddie is always on a mission to out do us all on the final product. He is really good at carving pumpkins. Brandon's turned out cool... he made eyes in the shapes of stars. This year I FINALLY MASTERED roasting the pumpkin seeds!!! I put them on a foil lined cookie sheet, drizzled with olive oil and salted them. Then put them in the oven on 357 for about 30-45 minutes until they were brown. YUMMMMMMYYYYY!!!!

Our design ready now to carve for Ryan

No peeking, wait until I am done Mom

Eddie stole my white pumpkin!!!!!

Brandon working on the lid

Attractive isn't it!

Still Working on My Lid

I got the lid completed on Ryan's pumpkin

Daddy, don't drop that goop on me!

Mom, this is gross, I cannot get all these seeds out!

Brandon trying to pull the lid off while Ryan works to clean out his pumpkin

Eddie cleaning out his pumpkin

Don't do it dad, you will get sick! SIKKEEEE!

Really, I do not photograph well!

The boys with their finished pumpkins

Me and the Boys with our pumpkins

Our Pumpkin Family! Happy Halloween!

Muck Dogs Fall Ball Comes to an End

We celebrated the end of the Fall Ball season for Brandon's team at Fosters Grille today. The families and team members got together for lunch and arcade games. Pam Evans made the cake for the kids. Each player received a trophy for their hard work this season. Coach Marc presented them to each one and then we gave out coaches thank-you gifts. Below are some pictures of Brandon at bat during a game at Loriella Park.

Waiting for HIS pitch!

Ball nicked his foot, so he was walked to 1st base.

A Rainy Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Belvedeere Plantation

Had to get a picture of the John Deere

Heading out to the Pumpkin Patch

Snuggle with me and keep me warm mom.

Sooo many choices, sooo little time!

A quick class photo before going to play in the hay barn

Look Mom, I am not afraid this year!

Well, today was bitter sweet. It was my "last" first Kindergarten trip to the Pumpkin Patch with Ryan. And true to form here in the 'Burg, it was raining yet again. It was sooo cold and wet that we actually cut the field trip short. We loaded onto our hay rides to head out into the patch in search of that PERFECT PUMPKIN. The kids wasted no time... with 5 classes I would guess it took us maybe 15-20 minutes for all the kids to pick there pumpkin. We then headed back for a our class a very cold picnic lunch under a tent. The parents got the kids hot chocolate to warm them up. Several kids were in tears they were so cold. And even my best attempts to layer him up, had Ryan still shaking and shivering. Our last activity was the hay barn where they got to swing on a rope and jump into the hay. This got them warmed up a bit. Then we headed to the buses to head back to school. I stopped quickly in the shop to pick up 2 white pumpkins for the house which I have always wanted. The kids and Eddie were groaning and did not want them.

Even in the rain and cold I still had so much fun. I love spending time with my boys, but one and one time is even sweeter. I lost count at how many times Ryan thanked me for coming, said I love and just squeezed next to me to cuddle and warm up. It truly melted me on the spot.

It really is so great to be a mom!

Week #2 of Fall Ball

No new pics this week, will post some more soon of the boys playing ball. We had a crazy week. Ryan had his second game on Tuesday night and he again did really well! He actually fielded the ball and got it first base. He was so proud! Brandon missed his second game on Thursday due to Religious Ed. class.

Today was another killer day of sports. Brandon had to assist for the 6 and under color belts who were testing at Tae Kwon Do today. This meant that he and I had to be at the Do Jang at 8:15 this morning. Yes, I did say 8:15am. Immediately following we had to run to Ryan's T-Ball game that had started at 9:30. We got there about 10:15 so we got to see the last inning. And again true to form, my little man wacked that ball and unfortunately was tagged out at 1st but quickly made it up the next time and bat and brought in a run. No scoring though.

Then we went to Brandon's game which was a NAIL BITER!!!! I cannot take the stress of these minors games. But I was so PROUD of Brandon today! First time at bat he hits the ball gets to first. Steals 2nd and advances to 3rd. THEN.... he STEALS HOME!!! YES, that's my boy!! STEALING HOME!!! They play 6 innings and it went to the final inning in the rain. We were up by 2 for most of the game, then the other team rallies and leads 5-4. We hold them off and at our turn at bat in the 6th bring in 3 runs. After stressfully holding them off when they came to bat.. our Muckdogs win their first game 7-5.

Thank goodness we have two weeks left, I could not take too much more of this! I will need to gear up for the spring season mentally big time!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game....

Another season of baseball began today! Fall ball with both boys is chaotic to say the least! Ryan had his first T-Ball game on the Lugnuts team at 9:30am. Immediately after we headed across town to another field for Brandon's first Minors Game on the Muckdogs team. There is no scoring in T-Ball and our boys did great! Ryan wacked that ball off the tee every time at bat with ease! Now, Brandon's team on the other hand got off to a rocky start today. They played GREAT! But unfortunately, the other team killed us 19-6. This is new for Brandon and most of the kids on the team as it is the first time with kids pitching. I did not get to see the whole game as I had to take Brandon's friend home, but Brandon did get an RBI and and run in so I am very proud.

Ryan waiting in the dug out for his turn at bat

Ryan's first at bat

Look at me I made it to 3rd

Ryan as "Pitcher" getting tips from Coach Mark

Brandon warming up before his first game

Brandon in the outfield in the first inning

Waiting to bat while dad keeps pitch counts and score

Eddie checking in with the other team on stats