It's legit!

Alas, IKEA Centennial is on the map!  I cannot wait until Fall 2011...

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/centennial/storeInfo

Thank you, Milo!

Truthfully, there are not many nights that I am pleased to be woken up by Milo.  What can I say, I am a girl that needs a lot of sleep:)  However, this early morning was a bit different because we got to see the lunar eclipse, which also happened to fall on winter solstice.  It was so cool!  I usually miss out on these types of things because I would rather get my beauty sleep, but Casey got me up to make sure I did not miss out.  So glad I did because I am pretty sure I won't live to see the next one!

Photo Courtesy of Matt Ruggles

Tree+Cookies=Santa's on his way!

We finally got our tree up and decorated.  Our first hurdle was getting it straight.  The second hurdle was the lights.  We decided this year we would switch to LED lights.  We bought some lights a couple of months back, but apparently not enough and now we can't find them anywhere.  Fortunately, we had several strands of white lights leftover from our wedding so we used those.  I think it turned out quite nice!  Ian was a great helper (although I keep finding random ornaments throughout the house, not sure there will be any left on the tree by Christmas!) and Milo watched from the sidelines. 

 Friday night we got together with my former co-worker, Stacy, and her husband, Jason.  We have been talking about going out together for over a year and finally it came to fruition!  We went to Japango on Pearl St. for dinner.  It had been awhile since we had sushi so it was delicious.  It was so great to catch up and for everyone to meet.  I miss seeing her everyday!  I am hoping we can make this a regular thing because they are so much fun to be around:)  After dinner we were headed to Connor O'Neill's for music and drinks and ran into this lovely group of kids.  They were hilarious!  The girl next to me was celebrating her 18th birthday and they were having a blast!  We jammed out with them for a bit - I think Stacy and I were living vicariously through them in those few short minutes.

 Our cuties ready to make some cookies!

 Milo and Avyn hangin' out on the playmat, wishing they could enjoy the cookies too!

 Saturday afternoon I had Kate and the girls over to make cookies for Santa.  I enjoyed Queenie cookies (named after my Great Aunt Juanita, aka Queenie) so much as a kid and I hope to pass it on to my kids as well.  I really like baking with Ian and I think the kids had a lot of fun - mainly because they could sneak in more sugar with each cookie they decorated!  They turned out great and we are thinking Santa will definitely stop at our houses because no one can resist the Queenie cookies!

 Every year the Times-Call prints a map of Christmas lights to check out.  Saturday night we bundled the boys up in their PJ's and headed out.  Ian was really into them this year.  I had to take a picture at the last house we saw because it was CRAZY!  I cannot imagine how much time, money and effort goes into decorating like this.  There was so much to see - people were actually getting out of their cars and walking all over their house and yard to see everything.  I wanted to do the same, but Milo was getting restless and I am not sure I ever would have been able to get Ian back in the car.  Ha!

 What a big boy!  We busted out the activity bouncer for Milo this weekend and he loves it.  He was all about it.  I am having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he is big enough to be in it.  Ian made sure to give him the tour of all the toys and sounds.  We explained to Ian that he used to play in it and it blew his mind.  He just kept saying, "But I am a big boy."  Cute.

I had to share this sweet picture we got from Casey's sister last week - I just love it. 

Our adorable nephews - Ethan, Taylor and Christopher!  

The holidays are here!

Longmont kicked off the holiday festivities with the tree lighting ceremony last Friday.  We met the Courtney family downtown and Maggie joined us too.  It was a lot of fun!  This whole week is packed with family friendly activities. 

Ian was so intrigued by the dancing trees - he stared at them for the longest time!  He tried looking underneath to figure out what was going on.  I love the curiousity.  

They had free pony rides and Ian was all about this time!  I was prepared for him to freak out once he got on the pony, but he didn't.  I am sure it helped that Daddy was by his side:)

The kids love the Goose - we can't walk past it without taking their picture on it.  Aren't they the cutest things you have ever seen?  I love that they are buddies!



Ella and Ian made some music together while we were winding down the night.  It actually sounded pretty good - guess all those music classes were worth it.

The highlight of the night was Santa!!  We found him at the bookstore.  He was wrapping up for the night, but our kiddos got the chance to sit on his lap.  Ian told Santa that he would like to have a camera for Christmas.  Milo just wants his two front teeth:)  

Saturday we headed to Blue Ribbon Farm to pick out our Christmas tree.  We decided to try a new place this year since last year was a bust at the Flower Bin.  We scored a great tree for the low, low price of $50.  I will never get used to the ridiculous price of trees in this state!

Milo slept through it all...

 

Happy Holidays from our home to yours!

The Girl is Crafty like Ice is Cold

I can't believe how fast Milo is growing.  Like a weed!  I went through Ian's 3-6 month stuff the other day and Milo is mostly wearing 6 months.  Some stuff he didn't even get the chance to wear.  Ian is growing rapidly too - he has already outgrown some shirts I bought him in October.  Slow down, Nelly!  I might not be able to afford all this growth kiddos.  I was so happy when I stumbled upon this oldie, but a goodie and it fit.  Yay!  I love this onesie - so perfect.  

Speaking of crafty...I decided this year that I wanted to make a holiday wreath with Ian.  I took him to Hobby Lobby with me and helped pick out all the decorations.  It was a lot of fun, but not nearly as much fun as making it together!  Last night we got everything out and put it together.  I had to tame my inner control freak and not get all Martha Stewart on him!  It turned out fabulous.  I just love it and he actually did a great job - he was responsible for all the stickers.  My job was the ribbon, snowmen and bells because they involved glue and stick pins.  Milo just chilled next to us chiming in with random coos:)  Ian was so excited to show it to Daddy when he got home last night.  Casey asked him what it was and he replied, "It's our decoration!"  Love that kid!

We are starting to get into the holiday spirit.  Longmont has several family focused activities starting tonight and thru next weekend.  I am so excited to celebrate Christmas this year.  Ian is at a wonderful age and I love seeing it through his eyes.  It helps take the bah-humbug out of all the hustle and bustle.  So much to do and not a lot of time, but hopefully a lot of fun!