How Mason (and Andy) Have Spent The Afternoon

Waiting For Santa To Arrive...

There are anxious boys tonight....but luckily they are now sleeping!

Quick! Get Out While You Can!

Since our weather has been just sooo fun *cough, ahem*, last Thursday the kids did have school. (They actually got to go to school on Tuesday as well, woo hoo!) That day, there seemed to be a break in the weather and so about 4 pm we decided we better make a run for it to go see the big man. Yep, Santa!! The kids had been asking when we were going and for awhile I was beginning to think the only way they were going to see Santa was via email. But lucky for us, Thursday night we went downtown to Pioneer Place and had absolutely no line and the boys got right on Santa's lap. My pictures aren't all that great since I didn't really have time to prepare and as you will notice, Matthew is pretty much all business. Mason spent most of his time with his fingers in his mouth and I am not sure he said more than two words to Santa. Matthew, on the other hand, brought the big guns....he brought The List! ;)

After Santa, we were a little hungry for dinner so we went across the street to Macaroni Grill, which thrilled the kids. They love coloring on the table (they put paper and crayons down!) and having a sundae for dessert. The best part, we were home by 6:30 pm. Just in time to have Matthew finish his homework!! ;)

Old Man Winter Has Arrived

Although, clearly, Old Man Winter has lost his marbles and didn't realize winter wasn't supposed to start until today!!! Somewhere, there must have been a little miscommunication because we have had just nasty weather for the last week. (And quite frankly, while I'm crabbin', he kinda forgot to let up last June. It was freezing on the last day of school!!) Anyway, the weather outside may be a bit frightful and downright frigid, but there is always a little entertainment to be had.

These two pics are of my back deck this morning....just a few drifts you see.

This is looking NE off my front porch. I'm amazed my ornaments in the foreground survived the wind from the night before. I was sure I was going to find at least one broken one this morning! My kids are rather wimpy and strange and weren't really interested in going out in the snow much. The first 2 days they wanted to go out but now they are more interested in finding entertainment inside the house. So first was a little "Rad Daddles" time:

So do you like Matthew's drum set? And how about Mason's microphone as he is the 'singer'?! After all that work, lunch was in order:
Followed by Andy's realization that he just simply needed more beer. I also think it was an excuse to go check up on Grandma Dee and her cookie selection while he went over there to see if she needed anything. So off he trekked to the store and I managed a shot of him when he came home with his success: ;)

I was almost embarrassed by his beer selection, I think I would have chose differently but, whatever. He did end up giving two of his beers away to some lady with a grocery cart that wouldn't quite following him while he was trying to walk home. Apparently, she kept trying to get his attention to point out the fact that he had some beer. Gotta love SE Portland! ;)

I spent the afternoon baking....

I made some fabulous blue cheese crackers too but I forgot to take a picture of them. They are rather dangerous because I could see getting into those by far more often than the cookies!

Oh and I should mention the cats, or mainly Geusseppe. There has been evil lurking in his mind. There is evil lurking in my mind too. I haven't shown Matthew these pictures and I might just print out a copy for him and leave it in his room. Because I'm sure he doesn't want Geusseppe messing with his Webkinz! ;)

'O' Christmas Tree

The boys have their trees up in their rooms! We decided this year that Mason is old enough for a tree in his room (Matthew has had his for two years now) and he adores his tree. (and lucky me, I was lazy about getting ornaments for it, about a week ago finally bought them at Micheal's for 60% off!!) Both boys go to sleep at night with the tree lights on and when I check on them before I go to bed, I turn the lights off. (It's physically impossible for me to go to bed without checking on them first!)

I also made them Christmas cd's but of course the music is off of my Christmas selection on my ipod.

1) Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms (the most requested and played!)

2) Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - The Judds

3) Twelve Days Of Christmas - John Denver and The Muppets Christmas (songs 3-7)

4) Deck the Halls -

5) Little Saint Nick

6) We Wish You a Merry Christmas

7) The Christmas Wish

8) Sleigh Ride - Amy Grant

9) I Believe In Santa Clause - Dolly Parton

10) Greensleeves - A Charlie Brown Christmas (songs 10-14)

11) Christmas Time is Here

12) Linus & Lucy

13) O Tannenbaum

14) Christmas is Coming

15) It's Beginning to look like Christmas - Perry Como

16) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Bare Naked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan

17) I Saw Three Ships - Sting

I've Been Grumpy....

I have been grumpy and my grumpiness doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. In the meantime, I found something interest. The Cyborg Name Decoder!!

http://cyborg.namedecoder

So maybe I am just ready for battle, yearly assassination, and masterful yelling!!! I am sure my hubby would agree!