They grow up so fast

Ryan is blossoming right before our eyes and is always trying to be like mommy.

Tree-tastic

We got our first real tree this year! We have always had a little fake, dinky tree that fits on top of the dining table (out of Malcolm's reach) but now that the dog is gone and Ryan is old enough to somewhat enjoy the festivities, we thought that we should get a big one. Scott went out the day he finished finals and found the perfect tree. It is full and smells great and doesn't have any bald spots. Happy Holidays!!

It was snowing so Scott is covered in water and sap. But he wrapped it and hauled it upstairs by himself.

Ryan didn't want to take a picture in front of the tree so we told her she could have a piece of candy (that is why she is cooperating).

Here is the finished product. We went to Target to pick out a few decorations and Ryan ran around screaming and tearing things off the shelf. It was super fun. Ohhhh the holiday cheer.

The sound of (pretend) music

Ryan has recently become very enthusiastic about "pretend" play. She can often be found "cooking" with my bowls and whisks, changing her baby's fake diaper, and playing her "violin." Her violin consists of various household objects but is usually a can opener as the instrument and a toothbrush as the bow. I didn't even realize that she knew what a violin was until one day she told me she was playing music?? She even looks to be holding her "instrument" the right way. Kids are so funny.

My little musician -- playing the fork.

The most popular instrument of choice ... the can opener.

Twilight

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to blog about the most important thing that happened over Thanksgiving weekend. Scott and I went to see TWILIGHT! Yes. How sweet it is. I love Twilight. The movie was sappy and perfect and now I must own it. I walked away very satisfied and thought that they did a great job maintaining the integrity of the book. It doesn't hurt that Edward was so easy on the eyes as well (Scott thinks so too). I am obsessed with the entire series. I started the first book three weeks and had to suspend my life until I finished the fourth book a few days ago. I can now go back to my normal life and be a good mom to my kids again.

Oh ... Sugar Honey Iced Tea

What a day! I almost ripped out my hair. My children were crazy and on a whining marathon from the moment they climbed out of bed until I wrestled them into bed at 10:30! Augh. Oh well ... such are the joys of motherhood. I don't have any great Thanksgiving photos (since I forgot my camera) and I haven't yet captured a great family pic yet either. We tried to take one while visiting my parents but Ezra had a meltdown and Ryan refused to take her fingers out of her nose. Maybe I can just use this one. Ryan cooperates for a couple of pictures and then starts saying the Ezra's heavy and hurting her legs. I have also noticed that all of my blog pictures are like these, so I will try my darndest to come up with a larger variety of photos.

Ezra is getting so big ... especially his head. Ryan is so cute and such a good sport (I have no idea what Ezra is looking at).

He really is the happiest baby I have ever seen. It takes nothing to get him to laugh. (And he spits up a lot, evident by his soggy shirt!) He is so handsome.