Getting Ready for Christmas!

We have been busy preparing for Sam's first Christmas! Even though we plan to travel for Christmas we still decorate our house to enjoy before and after our travels, as well as during our Christmas party. 

At the Christmas tree lot - unfortunately Christmas trees don't grow in this part of Kansas so we can't cut our own tree. Of course I had to deck out Sam in his Christmas finery.

Sam and Dad - it felt strange getting a tree in 65 degree weather!

Awaiting decorations . . .

Sam could not contain his excitement at having a tree in the living room. This spatula has remained one of his favorite discoveries from the Christmas decoration boxes (thanks Aunt Gina!).

Our Fort Riley "Old Bill" ornament

Sainte Anne de Detroit Church ornament - our wedding church. My cousin, Margaret, sent us this special ornament for the first Christmas we were married.

All decorated! 

St. Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas made his visit last night! Every December 6th St. Nicholas makes his rounds and fills the shoes with some treats and favorite items of the owners. This is a tradition that dates back to the 300s and has been celebrated by Anne Marie's family (probably goes back to German roots on her Mom's side). It is another one of the many exciting times for a child during the Christmas season . . . plus, St. Nicholas is clearly checking in on the children to see if they are going to be worthy of his big visit on Christmas Eve. More posts to come later today about our Thanksgiving trip and Christmas preparations. 

Note: We do not feed Sam Pez - we just thought he would like the Santa dispenser. He likes having a toy in his hand as he moves around the house. Most of the time it is a small piece to a game from a Wendy's kid's meal left by his cousin Michael. 

Pre-Thanksgiving

Yesterday Justin had the idea that since we are going to Atlanta for Thanksgiving we should have our own celebration at our house. Since cooking is my favorite part of this holiday, I quickly embraced the idea. We loaded up Sam and headed to the commissary - of course we fueled up at Starbucks on the way. Justin, who very rarely grocery shops, was excited to realize that he now can use one of those (awful & germ ridden) race car shopping carts with Sam. I thought I would just let him discover why I think these are so awful. The store was also packed with shoppers. Crazy! We did eventually get all our ingredients and Sam did think the cart was quite fun. Daddy is always more fun than Mommy after all.

Over the course of the afternoon we prepared a turkey breast roast, dressing, gravy, cranberries, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and after a call to Nonna for the recipe, "Ducote Potato Pie". Everything was prepared to Justin's specifications - all very traditional and "full fat". Mom had to save her Pinterest healthy alternatives and Martha Stewart recipes for another day. We polished the silver, set the table and uncorked the vino in anticipation for the big meal.

After putting Sam to bed and we sat down to enjoy our Thanksgiving meal by candlelight - our first at 129B Stone Court!

Note: We thought the table looked so awesome but then we looked at the photo and it didn't look that great. We definitely need to upgrade our photo equipment!

Happy Halloween!

Today Sam experienced his first Halloween! He sported a little Aubie costume (Auburn mascot) chosen by Daddy . . . Mom's pumpkin costume didn't make the cut this year. He loved his costume and enjoyed handing out candy with us. In our neighborhood most people sit out the back door (street side) and hand out candy, rather than kids using doorbells. 

Wearing his little Halloween outfit that he quickly got covered in Green Puffs (Sam's favorite food these days) and showing off two of his four little teeth.

Daddy Pumpkin, Mommy Pumpkin and Baby Pumpkin (notice it has Sam's smile). The dead shrubbery and lack of grass is a result of the severe drought we had here in Kansas this summer - not pretty!

Waiting for "Trick or Treaters" - yes, Justin drank a "Pumpkin Ale" beer while handing out candy. My neighbor loooves Halloween and goes all out!

Our little tiger! This photo was taken when we first bought the costume about six weeks ago. He has grown since then!

Sam's First Pumpkin

Last Sunday we ventured out to pick apples and take Sam to a pumpkin patch near Topeka. Unfortunately the orchard no longer allows people to "u-pick" apples and the pumpkin patch was a field with pumpkins placed out by workers . . . not quite the experience we were expecting. However, Sam didn't seem to mind and fell in love with his pumpkin. Sam might be small in size but he has a BIG personality, exhibited by his total meltdown when we had to take the pumpkin away to put him into his car seat. We bought a mini pumpkin to ease the pain of separation during the ride home. That mini pumpkin is still a toy of choice at home.

Clutching his new found friend - he was totally content just sitting with his arms around the pumpkin.

Sam and Daddy   . . . and the mini pumpkin

Welcome to our Blog!

We had good intentions of starting a blog as soon as Sam was born . . . so 8 months late isn't too bad, right? Since we live far from most of our family and friends it is our hope that this will help everyone share in little Sam's life.

Sam's first family mini-golf game. Justin just couldn't wait until Halloween for him to wear  his Aubie the Tiger costume.