Thanksgiving

minus the pictures, as I left my camera over at Muddy and Guppy's house.  I'll get it back tonight, and will hopefully have time to upload the pictures before leaving tomorrow.

Things I'm thankful for:

Two children, who are energetic, independent, smart, caring, sassy, fun, creative, happy, loving, and entertaining.  

I'm equally thankful for having a body that allowed me to carry those two beautiful children past their due dates, and allowed me to breast feed them for as long as they wanted .

My health.

My husband, the man who is the loving doting father to those two energetic children.

My siblings, that's the plus of having lots of siblings, there's always support and interest from someone about whatever is going on.

My parents, who I'm blessed with being close to, both in proximity and relationships.

My friends, both old and new.  My former co-workers who have remained friends since I left CDS are deeply cherished for many reasons, but mainly because you already know me and what I bring to the table.  To my new friends, you've got no idea what's in store for you!

My online network of girlfriends, who while I haven't met most of you, you keep me entertained and up to date in each of your lives and were here for me this past year when things weren't the happiest.

 Digital cameras and instant picture printing capabilities.

DVR

Having a job where I'm respected and appreciated for the knowledge I have. Also knowing that I have a job, even in these bad economic times.

Having a husband who works his butt off and knows he has a paycheck too.

Our house, while never fully "clean" is full of laughter, song and joy most every day.  

For a country that realized enough is enough and took a stand.  

Community Organizers/social workers/advocates/volunteers- for making the world a better place, no matter what.

Finally, I'm thankful for Disney and the fact that we are able to go again this year.  We are all SO looking forward to seeing that Mouse and all his friends.  We're equally excited to be able to spend this vacation with Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Amanda, Bill, LouLou, Kate, Muddy and Guppy.  I'm sure we'll have sooo many memories from this week together!! Can't wait til tomorrow!!

Some current pictures

Watching Tinkerbell, right now.  Addie said, "Mommy, look at this" since she knew how cute they are being.

Very proud of the building we created, using all of the blocks.  If you look closely, there are many windows and alcoves, because we always build to suit the Goofy and Donald figurines Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Amanda sent for Ben's birthday.

Ben, not happily, showing off his new mittens, hat and coat.  Everywhere we go, people comment on how cute his hat is.

Fire making helpers.  Notice how Ben's head is resting on Brian's shoulder.

Carrying the firewood in to help get our first fire of fall 2008 going.

Serious bed head

My little snow bunny Addie.  The picture doesn't do the puffiness of this coat justice.  She looks like such an adorable little lady in this.

Construction man Benjamin at your service.  These are part of the presents that Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Amanda gave him for his birthday.  He's got tools all around his toolbelt!

Total FREAK OUT!

You should have seen the reaction that this emailed link from Muddy received!! 

Watch for sheer amazement! (and yes, Ben got one too)

http://family.go.com/santas-list/video/8524-muddyofaddie/

Updating amongst chaos

Not sure how long this will be, as Addie and Ben throw a ball to one another, with the actual goal of  "bouncing it off your noggin."

Addie and Ben both LOVE Christmas music (which isn't shocking for those of you who know me in real life; I mean genes account for somethings right?).  Their favorite right now is "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas."  Something about that song makes them march around like nuts.  

Addie's favorite movie for the week I was in Houston was Tinkerbell.  It's an ADORABLE movie.  Ben loved it too.  

Tinkerbell was the favorite until I unearthed our copy of Elf, the Will Ferrell movie.  Addie now loves "Buddy" and has watched it every night.  Luckily for her, Brian thinks it's hysterical and very willingly cuddles up with her to watch it.  We all still laugh at certain parts.

Ben has been doing some very cute things.  He's such a little love, in general.  Each night we've also been building towers from the Big Legos he got for his birthday.  He's known for his love of knocking over towers with reckless abandon.  However, the times when the tower falls over on its own make him put his hands on his hips and exclaim, "Oh my!"  It's very funny and cute how he says it.  

We had our first snow this week too.  We had about an inch on the ground when we left for work and daycare.  It was basically Ben's first snow.  Last year we had one snow, and that was it.  If you recall from my blog, we didn't even have sleds so the kids used ghetto cookie sheets to slide down the hill.  We ran out that night to get sleds and never needed them.  Hopefully this year we'll get snow on days we can play in it.  Both were infatuated with the snow. 

Ben loves to wear his winter hat and mittens.  In fact as daycare he doesn't want to take them off.

Ok, wild ball throwing is getting rough....

Some zingers...

Just now, Brian is sitting on the couch and Addie accidentally kicked him.  He said, "Addie, you just kicked Daddy in his no-no."  Addie replied, "Daddy, it's not a no-no.  It's a penis."  Correct!

Tonight Addie wrote her letter to Santa.  Actually she dictated it to me. I wanted to make sure I wrote down exactly what she said.  I'll have to copy the whole note once the elves retrieve it.  But as a teaser, she said, " The truth is, I've been a good listener."  Think she's a little worried Santa might have the inside scoop?!

Yes, we're alive

Not that I've gotten any "OMG, are you guys ok emails?" or anything, but I felt compelled to do a quick post to say we are indeed alive.

Busy, as usual.  We're actually on vacation starting Monday, for 2 weeks, so that should give me some time to get things posted.  

Hope everyone is somehow making it through life without my updated blog! ;)

Quick updates

I'm off to Houston this afternoon for a conference. I won't be home until about 11pm Friday night.
Addie and Ben both went to the pediatrician on Monday. Both came home with Augmentin for upper respiratory infections. They both went back today for Ben's 2 year check-up and to get flu shots. Both came home with orders to do nebulizer treatments ever 4 hours or use an inhaler and spacer every 4 hours. The spacer takes about 2 minutes; a neb treatment takes about 20 minutes. I hope they choose the inhaler!! Ben did his like a pro at the office. Addie wanted nothing to do with using the spacer for herself. We'll see. Actually Brian will see- since he's on 100% parenting duty for the next 72 hours!
Yesterday was Veterans Day and Brian had off work. He decided to keep the kids home and chill with them. I called in the afternoon to see how things were going and he informed me that they were visiting Brian's Grandmom. She's 88 years old and still on her own. Really a fiesty, fiercely independent woman. Addie was all lovey on her. Ben, as Addie said, "was scared of Great Grandmom." When I asked why, she said, "She has scary teeth." Ben then told me, "No hugs for Geat Grandmom."
After their visit Brian took them to lunch at a diner. Each ordered a drink. On Addie's lid, the waitress wrote "APPlE" for apple juice. The lady's handwriting was such that the p's looked like capital D's. Addie took one look at it and said, "Daddy!! How did they know my name?" It really does look exactly like how Addie writes her name, with capital ds. They had to save that cup, since it was so special to her.