Swim Time

Sunday we headed over to the Hilton where Grandma and Grandpa were staying to enjoy some yummy brunch and do a little swimming. The little fishies were in full swing. Nick really likes being thrown in the pool. Ben does not. So I made sure to throw Ben every chance I got. The boys swam around, jumped off the side of the pool and worked themselves up for some good long naps.

This is me laughing after having thrown Ben. I thought it was funny...

Ben was kind enough to let Nick borrow his froggie swimmer for a bit but then he had to 'push' Nick around in it. 

They ended up hugging it out. Or least Ben did. Nick wasn't really giving much of a choice in the matter.

Lights at the Zoo

Last Friday we bundled ourselves up and headed for the Lights Before Christmas at the zoo with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Sarah, Aunt Terri and Uncle Les (who were in from Georgia). It was quite cold and windy, so it was a bit challenging for the warm blooded southerners. Us northerners, who can handle the cold, had on 2 or 3 layers of pants, heavy coats, gloves and hats. Nick had trouble moving. The wind died down after a while and it turned into a great night! 

Ben was anti-picture at this point. Nick had no choice. He couldn't move.

It's kind of hard to see because of the dirty glass, but the polar bear was sleeping right against the window

Ben had to have his picture taken with the baby wolves statue.

Ben was sooooo tired. We had some issues at the zoo because he was so tired. So, of course he fell asleep as soon as we got out of the parking lot at the zoo. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving feast!

Thanksgiving Day Crafts

I printed out some Thanksgiving Day crafts for the boys to do while I finished up dinner. They each had a turkey to color and I got really daring and gave a few crafts that required the glue stick. 

Ben applying leaves to his tree. Note the big blue glue stick. I'm happy to report there were no major glue stick mishaps

The Secret to a Clean House

The secret to a clean house - keep em locked up!

The Always Entertaining Awkward Family Photo

Sunday I decided to take a few family pictures before church. Nick was my helper in finding good light. We started in the backyard, but no good.

A few different angles, still no good.

Then we moved to the always good light front porch. And then I got this...

And this. Fitting.

Tree Lighting at Levis Commons

Saturday was a very nice night, so we decided to head over to Levis for the annual tree lighting ceremony. I took Ben last year while Adam and Nick stayed home. Ben was a little reserved this year but that might be because he got sick from coughing so hard 20 minutes before we left the house...We met up with the Secrest's and the Crafton's to see the talent acts and watch the tree light up.

Ben perked up a bit when Adam came back with hot chocolate. He had fun stealing daddy's hat. Daddy did not have so much fun.

Elmo! I don't really think Ben or Nick were super impressed. 

The pretty tree all lit up

Nick got a turn for a bird's eye view

He did not steal daddy's hat. He was too tired and too bundled up in his super cute coat to move much at all.

Cookie Time!

We have been a little slacking on the pictures lately because we are all so sick. I have pneumonia for like 3 weeks, Ben also has the pneumonia, there was a stomach virus thrown in there that hit everyone but me and Nick has just been sick or gookie for like 7 weeks. So, photography hasn't really been in the forefront. 

But Friday Ben and I made cut out cookies. I wanted to try out the recipe and Ben has been watching the cupcake decorating app on the iPod and was bugging to do cupcakes or cookies. So, it turned into my good behavior for the day and take a nap, bribe.

As Ben is so sick, he cookies were pretty much just for him. He did help me use the cookie cutters to make the cookies, but I was lazy and didn't get out the camera. He was very generous with the frosting, though. We need to work on our flood fill techniques. 

He switched to the spatula for the yellow. 

And then came the sprinkles. Everyone's favorite.

And the ultimate test - the tasting. They were approved!

The Time Out Chair Gymnastics

Ah, the time out chair. A dreaded location these days for Nick, yet the place his bum seems to see the most of. The other day he decided to get creative with his time-out position. Then he got himself stuck.

After a dad-assist extraction, he was placed in the full and upright position for the remainder of his time out. 

He wasn't happy.

That kid really does have the best sad faces. They totally crack me up!