I am so sick of being sick!! Everyone else in the family gets a cough, maybe a runny nose, then clears up. But not me, oh no. I get stuck with a cough, runny nose, major chest congestion, a bunch of cold sores on my lip, and an infected eye to boot. Gross, I know. I am so terrified that I'm going to spread something to the kids, that I sent them away all day long- and I miss them so much. I've never been away from Alexandra this long before- not even close to this long. So, I'm sitting here all day sleeping and watching TV, and thought I'd shoot over to the computer for a few. SO boring! I want to feel better and get to be with my kids! I hate this! What a perfect way to ring in the new year, huh?

Christmas was WONDERFUL. Aside from the nasty colds we all had, of course. We had a lot of assembling to do for the kids' Christmas presents, so we decided to put 2 things together on Saturday evening instead of leaving it all for Christmas Eve. We got them together, then stored them in Alexandra's bedroom, where the boys had no reason to go. But, they apparently found a reason, because Travis discovered them in there playing with their new kitchen and market one day too soon! Well, to "solve" the problem, Travis explained that the gifts were for their cousins, and that they weren't allowed to play with them. Elijah assured us that his cousins would just love the gifts! So, anyway, we spent Christmas Eve setting up their playroom with an array of new toys- yes, we way over bought for them this year... so hard not to do when you picture their little faces lighting up at the sight of the new toys. After setting everything up, we wrapped up the door to the playroom, and put a great big bow on it. Then, since their bedroom is right by the playroom, we brought them downstairs to sleep in our room, so that the surprise wouldn't be discovered prematurely- AGAIN. After unloading our stockings and opening our gifts under the tree, we headed up the stairs with camera in hand. Needless to say, the boys were completely overjoyed at the sight of their newly "remodeled" playroom. The second Elijah saw it all, he immediately turned around and gave me a big hug and thanked Travis and me. How sweet was that? His first thought was to come thank us instead of making a b-line for the toys. :) Anyway, we had a great morning of playing before heading to my parents' house for the remainder of the day (we had spent Christmas Eve with Travis' family). All of the kids behaved themselves great. I was especially impressed with how well Elijah did. He was very sweet and polite all day. It was a great Christmas. Now, I'm looking forward to the New Year and spending some days up in the mountains with the kids.

I just had to throw in my favorite new pics of the boys. I love it when they let me spike their hair (it takes A LOT of coaxing with Elijah, not so much with Rogue)- it looks soooooooooo cute!

The latest goings-on at our house are the making of some super smelly decorations and the setting up of the kids' own Christmas tree in their playroom. We made the star out of construction paper, and stuffed it full of cotton balls. We also strung fruit loops and cheerios, most of which ended up in their mouths while Mom & Dad ended up being the ones putting them on strings.... Then we added candy canes, which Rogue has been sneaking off of the tree and eating (along with the cereal- even though it's on strings!). So, I had to remove the candy canes and save what's left for Christmas. Anyway, it looks beautiful, just like a little kids' tree should :)

Ok, so it hasn't been that long since I posted last, but some new things have been happening. First off, Elijah had his second preschool field trip (visiting the pumpkin patch was the first). They went carolling at a retirement home. He was so cute! I dressed him up in his new brown pinstripe suit, and begged him to let me spike his hair. I had no idea he could memorize so many words to so many songs, especially in such a short time. He did wonderfully.

Next, we've also gone to the zoolights up in Portland. They were amazing! I can't even begin to imagine how much time and hard work went into hanging all of those lights. We rode a train around the park to view all of the lights, and you know when a train is involved, the boys are going to love it a thousand times more!

And finally, we had our 6th wedding anniversary this weekend. Travis got me the rest of my willow tree nativity set (which I promptly dropped and broke 2 pieces! Luckily, they were at least ones that I previously had, not the new ones Travis bought me, plus I was able to glue them back together fairly well), and I got Trav tickets to the Trailblazers/Cavaliers basketball game next month to watch his beloved Lebron James play. We spent the weekend in Eugene for a high school basketball tournament. We left the boys with Matt & Kathleen so that we could spend some stress free time down there. Alexandra did wonderfully, and we were able to have a very relaxing time.
So, that's that. Until next time....

Our Christmas tree is up and running! I love it- the house is all decorated, and smelling of Christmas :)

Happy 2nd Birthday, Ethan! Today was the big party, and Ethan had a great time. When we got home from church, Ethan took a nap while the rest of us prepared for the party. Once most everyone was there, we woke up Ethan and brought him down for the big surprise. At first, he didn't take it too well. He was still tired & a bit grumpy, but we got him hooked once he opened up the 1st Thomas gift. He had Thomas themed cake, table cloth, plates, cups, napkins, hats, tatoos, streamers and balloons. Like I've said before, he's a total fanatic, and we just all add fuel to the fire. He did get a few gifts that weren't Thomas, thank goodness. It's great seeing his face when he opens Thomas toys (which is why we constantly cave and buy him endless trains), but the boy's gotta have some variety! Anyhow, he had a great time & played with his toys non-stop for the rest of the day. We had planned to put up our Christmas tree tonight, but with all of the birthday excitement, it got put off until tomorrow night. Can't wait :)....

We've got our Christmas tree! We went and picked it out at a Christmas tree farm this morning. I always grew up picking out our tree at a farm and now I can never buy one at one of those tree stands. I have to trek out and pick out our very own to be cut done. It's one of those traditions that it just wouldn't be Christmas without. Anyway, we let Elijah pick out the tree he wanted. So, we didn't end up with the type of tree we would have picked, but it's even more special that Eli picked it himself. Right now it's in the garage, and tomorrow after church and Ethan's birthday party, we're going to bring it in and decorate it. Yay!! :)


Searching for just the right tree....
Finding it.... Cutting it down....
Hauling it in.... Warming up....
And finally taking it home.

Today (well, technically yesterday since it's past midnight now) Ethan Rogue turned 2 years old. Poor guy is so going to have middle child syndrome. We were focused on his birthday party being in 2 more days, we didn't even realized it was his birthday today until half way through the day. We felt so bad! Of course he doesn't know, and really couldn't care less, but I still feel terrible! Sunday will be his Thomas themed party. He's going to go balistic seeing Thomas everywhere. He's going to have so much fun. :)

We've been trying to do a lot of Christmas activities with the kids every chance we get this year. So far we've gone to see lights in Keizer and Portland, built a gingerbread house, ridden on the Polar Express, gone to Silverton's tree lighting, and played in the snow. Tomorrow we are going to get our tree, then go up to the Children's Museum for the day. I'm sure they've got Christmas stuff going on there. We still plan to go see Santa at the Woodburn Outlet Mall. The Santa there actually has a house, and it snows there every night. We also plan on going to the Zoo Lights, and anything else we can find that comes up. Ethan's probably still too young, but at least Elijah should be able to remember how much fun Christmas time is.

Eli, Alex & me @ the Christmas tree lighting (Travis & Ethan were @ a basketball game)

Santa lighting the tree from a fire truck ladder with the magic dust from his wand.

The Polar Express was a success. All of the kids had special p.j.s & slippers that they slipped on after their morning bath. Then, they kept asking when Dad was getting home, because they knew that his arrival signified the beginning of their adventure. Once he got home, we were off. While Ethan & Alexandra slept, Elijah did that thing kids do when they are excited to get somewhere- "are we there yet?"... (5 minutes later)..."are we there yet?" Once we boarded the train, they were definitely set for fun. They enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies, story reading, & caroling. They also got their tickets punched by the conductor- who Elijah was totally in awe of. We arrived at the North Pole, where we picked up Santa & his elves. Santa went through each train car & each child one-by-one. And to top it all off, they each got a Christmas bell from the big man himself. By the end, all of the kids were worn out and ready to crash on the way home... after each picking out a new Thomas train from their strategically placed gift shop, of course.