Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

The Tree is up and the house is decorated! The tree has been up since Sunday but it is still up and so far zero ornaments have been broken. A success considering the kids and I are in the house in the afternoons. There have been discussions about the ornaments on the tree, but so far none have been taken down. Most of these discussions involve Hudsen asking which ornaments are his. So far Eleanor has just looked at the tree and pointed and said "pretty." Fingers crossed, that is what she continues to do.

Hudsen helping Dad put together the tree. He was a good little helper and made sure that every branch was in exactly how it was suppose to be.

Eleanor was checking out the ornaments after they were put on the tree.

The kids both picked out the ornaments they wanted to hang on the tree. E needed a little help hanging them and Hudsen was very quick to help her.

Hudsen (with Dad's help) putting the star on top of the tree. This was the part that he could not wait to do!

Sid is Back!

Before putting up the tree on Sunday the kids had a visitor. Our Elf came back from the North Pole to watch over us until Santa comes! Last year was our first year with Elf on the Shelf and Hudsen named him Sid. So when Hudsen woke up that morning and saw Sid on the table with gifts for him and Eleanor, he was excited. Eleanor does not yet understand. Hudsen has been trying to help her by telling her that Sid is watching and she has to be nice to him if she wants presents :)

SANTA!

While at the tree farm, the kids were able to see Santa for the first time this year. Hudsen had made his list and was pretty excited to see him. We were not sure how Eleanor was going to be with Santa.

When we saw Santa Hudsen was a little hesitant but you could see how excited he was to give him his list. He was very happy about the candy cane he got also.

Eleanor was not as happy to see Santa. Hudsen did try to help her out and tell her who Santa was, but she still was not a fan.

Thanksgiving & Tree Cutting in Cedar Falls

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. A time to spend with family and enjoy all that we have to be thankful for. The good food is an added bonus too! At school when Hudsen was asked what he was thankful for, he said "turtles." When we asked him on Thanksgiving what he was thankful for he said "you guy's loving me." I like the Thanksgiving answer the best :)

This year we made the trip to Cedar Falls for Thanksgiving and was able to enjoy it with Grandpa Dave & Grandma Kim, and Brandon, Kari, Payton and Grace. The weather was nice and the kids were able to run off some of their food while playing baseball outside after lunch.

YUM Pumpkin Pie!

The kids with Grandpa Walt and Marie

We also had a chance while in Cedar Falls to go to the tree farm with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Kim. The kids liked looking at all the trees. They also had a chance to see Santa there! (post to follow)

Eleanor with a tree that was just her size

Hudsen with the tree his size he wanted to take home.

After picking out the perfect tree, it was time for S'mores!

Living History Farms Race

This year Grandma Pat and Uncle Jeff ran the living history farms race dressed as teenage mutant ninja turtles. The looked so funny and great! Both kids started laughing when they saw them.

While they were running, the kids, Dad, Gpa Gary, Aunt Lina and I made the traditional trip to McDonalds to load up on pancakes and coffee.

After that we went to the finish line to watch Grandma and Uncle Jeff finish

There are the two turtles just about to the finish line.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed that I did not get to run this year, but I had a great time watching and cheering with the kids and everyone else. Hudsen already said that he wants to run it some time. Not for a few more years!

Grandpa Dave's retirement party

After 33 years at John Deere, Grandpa Dave retired. We are so proud of him and so happy for him to get to relax and spend more time at the airport flying.

It was a lot of fun for all of us to be in Cedar Falls to celebrate. The kids had a great time making pancakes with Grandma Kim. Whenever Hudsen and Payton get together, they are like 2 peas in a pod. The little girls are starting to have a good time together too. Pushing around carts and carrying around little purses seems to be their favorite pass time.


Hudsen and Payton watching a little Mickey together while taking very good care of Hudsen's chicks.

Grace and Eleanor enjoying a little snack at the table like BIG girls

At the party. Aunt Kari had a great idea of bringing coloring books. It kept the big kids pretty entertained.

Grace and Eleanor were more ready to party than to color :)

These two just crack me up!

Aunt Morgan and Isabella having fun at the party

Dad and Hudsen playing a little pool at the party

Happy Halloween!

This year for Halloween Eleanor was a flower and Hudsen was Spider-man. When someone would ask Hudsen who he was, he would say "I'm Hudsen in a Spider-man costume." Which was correct but still funny to hear him say. We started off the Halloween festivites by going to Valley Church on the 25th of October for their Great Pumpkin Party. There was SO MUCH fun stuff to do there! Eleanor loved just running around and seeing all the other kids and Hudsen was fascinated with the different Scientist exhibits and carnival games.

On actual trick or treating night we went to Brandon and Kari's house and trick or treated with them and Morgan, Kasey and Isabella. All the kids looked so cute and had fun running from house to house. Hudsen and Payton even showed the little kids how to get the candy and then say thank you. After an hour the little ones were tired and the kids had received plenty of candy :). It was time to head home and go to bed!

Can you see Spider-man in this picture?

The next day Generation Next had a parade for the kids in their costumes. Since I work so close to there I was able to make it over to see the parade. The kids were all full of smiles!

Halloween was a big success this year. Plenty of candy, lots of fun, and so many smiles!