Gingerbread-makin' on a snowy day

While Sophie and Daddy were wrapping gifts (we tried peeking several times... to no avail...), Mommy and Lucas made gingerbread men (and gingerbread snowflakes, Christmas trees, and snowmen). Lucas is really fascinated with gingerbread anything... and has been asking about decorating cookies for awhile... needless to say, we had a ball making these.

Just plain goofy! (above picture... and below!)

I left the room for 2 minutes... and came back to him licking the knife... and frosting covering his mouth. Busted!
Love this pic below...

She knows where the good stuff is!

Finally, we had to run off the many MANY cookies we ate... the kids took turns taking rides in the laundry basket...

A perfect Saturday for sure.

A typical Saturday afternoon...

...at least they get along!

Our Little Copy-Cat

Sophie is at the stage where she LOVES to copy everyone around her, especially Lucas.

Story #1: A few days ago we were all playing hide-and-seek and when I was hiding from Lucas, Sophie ran up to me so I put my finger to my mouth and said, "Shhh!" Later on, I turned to Sophie and said, "Your turn! Go hide!" She ran away and hid by the couch, turned around and said, "Shhhh!" to me with her finger to her mouth.

Story #2: Lucas has been into playing school lately-- including saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Today when he and I were talking about school and I mentioned the Pledge, Sophie immediately put her hand to her heart and giggled.

PS--- Check out Sophie's hair once I pull out her little "piggies"...

Let the decorating begin!!

We put up our Christmas decorations, with the help of 2 very lively young children!! Lucas had a blast putting up the ornaments. Do you like where he put them??!! (Most of them are behind the tree or UNDER the tree on the bare branches. On one bare branch we counted FIVE ornaments.) :)Couldn't resist keeping Sophie's Christmas pj's hidden until Christmas.

We explained to Lucas the purpose of an advent calendar. However, he'd rather take ALL of the animals out now. It isn't ususual to find Baby Jesus in a cupboard... Mary under the bed... Joseph behind the couch...

Check out Sophie's little dance... and I'm lovin' the way she moos at every animal.

First snow of the season!!

We had our first accumulating snow last weekend. Of course, Lucas wanted to be out in it as soon as he woke up Saturday morning. The boys had a great time building piles of snow and sledding. Even Sophie got to take a little sled ride around the house.

And who says you can't play on your playset in the winter... definitely not Lucas!! P.S. When Lucas asked about going down the slide I didn't think he'd go like this...

[insert announcer voice]

And now... introducing... the starting line up for the "L.A. Akers"

#10... the one and only... Chris Bosh!!!!

...don't let her looks deceive you... this little giant can play with the best of 'em... #2... Joe Johnson!!!

...the glue that holds the team together...lucky #13... Dwayne Wade!!!

Last but not least... the giant that towers above them all... #11... Yao Ming!

*************************************************************************************

Let me explain a little of this craziness.... With basketball season now upon us, just like we suspected, Lucas is now completely fixated on basketball. A year ago I brought home from school an NBA All-Star basketball book with a bio on quite a few well-known players. Lucas has recently taken a liking to this book. So much so, he could name pretty much all the players (in the book), their numbers, and the team they play for. His favorite is Chris Bosh. I think it's because he just likes to say the name. Lucas has also given names to the rest of us (hence, the starting line-up). I love it that Eric's been named Yao Ming. Haha...

That's our Lucas!

Thanksgiving in Ohio 2010

Here's a few of our highlights...

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

The story behind...

this dress. My mom made it... and I wore it when I was Sophie's age. Now it's Sophie's turn.

snot.

I haven't taken one picture since Saturday, which for me, is pretty bad. The culprit... 2 sick kids. Sophie and Lucas both have ear infections (Sophie's is much worse). They're such troopers though. They're in great spirits and have pretty much acted like normal, despite the runny noses and coughs.

I hope to get back to taking pics soon... hopefully by Thanksgiving!!

BFF's...

Nothing brings a smile to my face quite like walking into a room and watching these two play together... (fixing the roof of the barn below)

I'm often amazed at how patient Lucas is with his sister... who is still at the destruct-o stage. If Lucas is building a tower, she'll flatten it in 2 seconds. If Lucas has his football players all spread out on his football field, she'll run through it knocking them down. Yet, Lucas (most of the time) just shruggs it off. I took this last pic just so you all have a very small glimpse of our mine-field, I mean, living room. Slowly but surely, I'm giving up my need for a perfectly clean/organized house. It's just a waste of time if you ask me. :)

Some day...

... Lucas WILL dot the "I"... some day. He's already practicing.

Pure. Joy.

Studly.

Look who got his hair cut??? Lookin' good buddy!!!!!