Trimming the Tree

Looking forward to Christmas this year has been really fun. Olivia is old enough to really anticipate and Ben gets excited when he sees the lights and "Bahs" (balls) all over the tree. Though I do miss the pine-fresh scent of a real tree (our apartment won't allow them) I must admit it is very convenient to pull out the fake one, pre-lit, and plug it in.

We had a lot of fun decorating it this year. Brandon's parents give us ornaments each year as gifts: some from their old family tree, and some from places they've visited. Each one brings lots of memories and we look forward to continuing the tradition with our own kids.

Snow...Get Outta My Way!

We have now had two skiffs of snow so far this winter...This one actually stayed on the ground for about half the day.  So after I took Olivia to Preschool, I bundled up Ben (short of gloves...is it just me or is it impossible to find waterproof gloves and mittens for little hands?!) and let him stomp around for his first romp in the snow.  He was...not very interested.  He just kept impatiently wiping the snow away to get to the pebbles underneath so he could throw them. I think it is really genetically planted in little boys:  "Must...throw...rocks..."


We were supposed to get snow today, but alas, it never came - though the forecast does call for snow Wednesday and Saturday, so we're crossing our fingers for a white Christmas.  And this girl from snow country is hoping her little guy can learn to appreciate how great that fluffy white stuff is!

Speaking of Turkeys....

Our little Olivia got glasses on Oct.26th.  She was born with ptosis, which is an eyelid that droops a little because of, in her case, a relaxed muscle.  This causes her left eye to be partially blocked and it has developed an astigmatism.  Olivia has been a trooper and her looks adorable in her little red framed glasses. (Again - somehow, I don't have any pictures of her in them...the only one I know if is on Brandon's phone.) At her follow-up appt., the Dr. decided she needed to also patch the right eye for 2 hrs./day to get her brain used to using the left eye again.  She is also having surgery in Jan. to repair the ptosis so the eye won't continue to develop astigmatism.  We're so grateful we were able to have medical help and catch it early while her vision is still developing.  (I had a severe astigmatism when I was young as well, and had to wear awful glasses that magnified one eye. I also had to wear a patch to school.  In the 3rd grade, it was not my funnest time ever.)

But - through it all Olivia has been as smiley and cheerful as ever and has done great wearing her glasses and patch.  We have lots of sweet supportive friends and family who have given her so much positive feedback, any insecurities, if there ever were any, have gone. 

So...on to the turkey talk...At the eye exams, they have her look at both a letter chart, as well as a chart with pictures, like this one:   

At our last visit, they were asking her the pictures and she was going through them...

"A chick, a house, a telephone, a birthday cake, a turkey...."

Can you find the turkey?  Many hand-turkeys just like this one have graced our home for the last month!

I think her drawing resembles the eye chart "turkey" pretty well, don't you?

Turkey Day

We had a great Thanksgiving sharing with some of our good friends here in CT from Law School. The first from our little group will be moving to Utah in just a few weeks and we wanted to celebrate with them before their departure. I took on the assignment of turkey...and I must say it turned out delicious! It was a pretty golden-brown, moist, tender, and oh-so-yummy. I got the recipe from America's Test Kitchen HERE. To top it off,  I'm pretty sure Brandon is the best turkey carver I know of...

Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of the rest of us enjoying our visit & dinner...I was a little preoccupied with all the delicious food before us...sweet potatoe casserole, bacon-wrapped beans, rolls, pie...mmmmmm.  Can't wait for Round 2 on Christmas!  

First Snowflakes...

On Nov.8th we got our first glimpse of snowflakes and the kids were mesmorized.  I woke up to Olivia staring out the window...then Ben staring out the window...then both staring out the window.  I don't think the first snowfall every loses its magic! 

Joy in the Little Things

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. It is always so good to sit back and think about all the blessings and little joys in our life. Nothing helps me remember to find joy in the little things like my kids. The world is constantly a place of wonder and excitement for them.  Abandoned pennies on the street, a little patch of moss, some crunchy leaves, a wiggly worm...

I took the kids for a walk and we stopped in an empty parking lot to play in some leaves. They were giggling and squealing in no time. Olivia was thrilled to be dumping leaves on me while I was trying to take pictures.

One more reason I love Fall.

"Anywhere is paradise. It’s up to you." Unknown

"The more we express our gratitude to God for our blessings,

the more he will bring to our mind other blessings. The more

we are aware of to be grateful for, the happier we become."

- Ezra Taft Benson

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

I've been thinking a lot about how to teach our kids the real "Reason for the Season" and help them feel the true Spirit of Christmas.  I found this idea of a "RACK" advent on a blog I drool over and loved it. 

Advent Activities: (I may tweak these a bit but I loved the variety here)

1st Take a set of holiday books and leave at a mall play area

2nd Make a street pretty for Christmas (pick up roadside trash-Santa Style!)

3rd Adopt a classroom in need (send holiday party treats & craft box)

4th Buy a hot cocoa or latte for Salvation Army bell ringers (brrrrr— it must get cold out there!)

5th Purchase toys for kids in need

6th Tape candy canes and happy holiday notes to ATMS, vending machines…

7th Send of box of mittens and hats to a school

8th Offer to buy a pack of gum or mints for checkout clerk at grocery store

9th Bring peppermint mocha to daycare workers

10th Donate Blood (K and Mom)

11th Hand out pretty Christmas flowers

12th Bake & deliver Christmas cupcakes to library employees

13th Set up a free gift wrap station!

14th Pay for santa pictures for someone at mall

15th Collect canned goods for food pantry

16th Pass out candy and spread cheer to folks mailing off their Christmas cards at the post office

17th Set up a “helping task force” – take back shopping carts, hold open doors for rushed and weary shoppers…

18th Leave small Christmas treats/gifts in shopping carts for folks to find

19th Take presents to hard working post office employees

20th Call animal shelter and find out what donations they need. Make a contribution & visit animals.

21th Leave basket of Christmas gifts on doorstep of a family that needs it

22nd Buy coffee for stranger at Starbucks

23rd Leave present in mailbox for mail carrier

Christmas Eve: Take all night drug store employee a Christmas surprise (because it’s no fun to work on Christmas Eve!)

Christmas Day: Deliver something special to folks who are working and/or recovering at local hospital

She made  a bag a day for each activity...to see the details and drool over her creativity and photography, click here:

http://katherinemariephotography.com/blog/archives/7437

The Eyebrow Raise

A few weeks ago I was looking at pictures on the computer and clicked on a few of the brief videos we had of Olivia when she was about Ben's age. It brought back a flood of memories and I was so bummed we haven't been videoing she and Ben.  I determined that I'd pull out our old point'n'shoot so I could get quick video clips of the kids again.

So here you go: Ben's first feature film.  Lately he has been doing this eyebrow raise that just cracks us up. His eyes are so round already he has to really work at getting those eyebrows raised and he can't do it too long because he has to stop to laugh.  He'll sit and keep his eyebrows like that until either 1) you do it back to him, or 2) he stops to laugh.  We love it!! 


The Eyebrow Raise from JoDee Yost on Vimeo.

Pumpkin Jack II...Part 2

Pumpkin Jack II...Part 1

This year we tried out a new orchard to find THE pumpkin that would becme our beloved Jack-O-Lantern.  We love Lymans Orchards for the incredible scenery but last year were a little disappointed in the quality of the pumpkins...So we set out for Bishops this year and were not disappointed!  They are definately set up for all the "photo op" moments with rows of pumpkins, piles of straw, gorgeous mums...the kids had a ball running from one area to the next. 


While it wasn't quite as magical to have all the pumpkins sitting out, pre-picked, we definately couldn't complain about the quality of the pumpkins. They had an awesome selection and Brandon managed to score us the closest-to-perfectly-round pumpkin we've ever seen.  We had to cart it around in this wheelbarrow, along with Ben who was loving the ride: one hand on THE pumpkin, and one clutching the baby pumpkin he bonded with. 

The FINAL WEIGH IN: 32 lbs!  Good thing I have such a strapping hubby to cart that around for me...well at least to and from the car. 

We ended our visit with - bet you can't guess...orchard fresh cider donuts and apple cider. It's TRADITION!  We couldn't have had a more beautiful day!

Hickory Hills Orchard

P.S.  I should mention that the apples we're eating are ones that Ben got off the ground.  I prefer to get home and taste mine but he goes right for the those the wind blew down.  I like to think I did my  job of being a good mom by making sure that none of those he grabbed were mushy, half eaten by birds, or half decayed under the tree...knocking those babies out of his hands before he bit was almost a full time job. :) 

P.P.S.  I should also add that I didn't sew Olivia's dress...just the cape and Ben's costume with a LOTof help from my sweet friend.  But, this being my first exposure to sewing with patterns, I was still pretty thrilled. :)  

We're still here....

I have been really going back and forth on keeping our blog going but in the end decided its a good "journal" of sorts for our family and a place to share pictures for family and friends.  I'm  not great at journal writing but I do take lots and lots of pictures and its a nice place to be able to share & enjoy those.  I don't know that anyone even reads here anymore but I am recommitting to at least one post a week, each Sunday.  And I'd love to have family and friends continue to stop by if you're so inclined and let us know you're here! 

So....What's new with us?

Brandon: Is keeping busy working 20 hrs./wk. and attending school Full time the rest of the week and is involved with several committees at school.  He is working at a tax firm and is really enjoying that area of law and planning to make a career of it.  As his last year of school is coming to a close (only 6 more months!) we are starting to prepare for the adventures ahead: taking and passing the Bar, finding a job, a new home, Olivia starting Kindergarten...a lot of big changes for our family coming up.

Me: I've been keeping busy with two little cuties and my photography business.  The past month especially has been a very busy month for photography and though I love it, I'm ready to have things slow down a bit for the winter.  I'm loving Fall in Connecticut - it is such a beautiful time here - my favorite.  Crisp, bright leaves, apple cider, hot cocoa, Sunday drives through the hills, apple and pumpkin picking - We just love it!

Olivia:  Olivia started her 2nd year of preschool and loves it.  She goes 3 mornings a week.  They do so many great things: lots of exposure to art, nature, and learning through play.  She seems to gravitate to the artistic creative things...She's always bringing home huge paintings she's done at Preschool.  She still loves to read - right now we are working our way through the Mrs.PiggleWiggle series. 

Ben:  Ben is one ACTIVE little guy.  He is constantly climbing and figuring out ways to reach things. He would play outside all day if he could and I am anxious for maybe having a place with a yard next year to make that a little easier.  He loves his big sister and they are starting to really play and wrestle each night...He always tackles Olivia with big hugs.  He has finally started to expand his words a bit:   mommy, daddy, baby, "la-la" (Olivia), "Bheh!" (Ben), puppy, buh-bye, "ah-dun" (all done), na-na (banana - or anything to eat).  He also is making some sounds: roofing for dog, "Ah-mow" (me-ow for kitties), choo-choo for trains.  Its been fun to see him start to understand and communicate more.

Thats the latest from us - you'll hear more from us soon! 

Re: Bathroom Boy

This boy of mine showed us a new skill today...climbing out of his crib four times.  Yes - 6:30 AM-8 PM with no napping.  Why nap when you can climb out and play? 

Bathroom Boy

It takes this kid all of 5 seconds to be standing on the bathroom cabinet sucking on the toothpaste and emptying the cabinets.  Must....keep....bathroom door......closed.....

Sleeping Giant fun

This summer has set records for being hot & dry (as in not much rain - rest assured we've had plenty of humidity)!  Brandon and I have had our dreams of perfect summer weather here in CT shattered.  Apparently the two previous summers we've spent here were uncommonly mild.  Sigh...  Well, we still love CT. 

To stay cool we've found pools, beaches, rivers, even puddles.  Sleeping Giant is a beautiful state park right across from Brandon's Law School.  We took the kids to the river there one evening and it took them all of 1 minute to be wading in the water to cool off.  Olivia found a turtle in her adventures and then pretended to be one. Ben was happy climbing on rocks, throwing rocks, and sitting on rocks.  Gotta' love easy summer nights!

Sum Sum Summertime!

Oh my - a whole two months has slipped away already.  But we've had a great summer and next Monday, Brandon begins his first day of his LAST year of Law school.  I'm trying to get "caught up" on posting the pics from our summer, but suffice it to say we've had  a good one.  BBQ's, fireworks, swimming, beach, fruit picking, park playing, and vacations.  Its been great! 

This was our 4th of July, spent with our family here in CT - the Bells.  Scooters, cookouts, and fireworks on the driveway...it was so much fun!

Our attempt at getting a quick family pic while we were there....:)  It is always impossible getting pictures of my own family! 

And picking raspberries & peaches at Lyman's Orchard...our favorite picking spot here in CT.

Nothing quite like eating a juicy peach right off the tree with warm dribbles running down your arm!

Hope you're having a great summer...more pics to come!

Cha-cha-cha--Changes....

Here's the latest from our kiddos: 

Olivia: 

• Proudly announces she's 4 to everyone around
• Promptly after sticks out her legs and asks, "Do you want to see how long my legs are now?" as proof
• makes friends within 10 seconds of anywhere public we go
• proudly does her morning rountine (bed, dressed, hair, breakfast, teeth) almost all by herself
• can't get enough PBS.org
• Picks dresses to where every day; next best is a skirt
• Is a rock star on her scooter
• Has become the pickiest eater .... ever.

Ben:

• Has learned how to climb on shelves, chairs, tables, desks
• Is the strongest 17 mth. old I know
• Could play outside every minute of the day and never get tired of it
• Totally loves Olivia and smothers her with hugs and slobbery kisses daily
• Loves anything w/ buttons: telephones, remotes, keyboards, computers...
• Will stomp, lay down, & put his head in any size of puddle he can find, including the toilet.

Best.Husband.Ever

What can I say?  My sweet husband totally surprised me last weekend with an overnighter in NYC.  He told me to pack a bag, drop the kids off at the babysitter's (THANK YOU again Terry & Kevin!)  and pick him up at school.  You don't have to ask me twice!  After a month of not really seeing him other than Sundays I was like a kid on Christmas Eve. 

He had a good friend of ours come and pick us up & take us to the train station.  The destination?  Grand Central Station, NYC!!  I'd never taken the train into NY and the trip in and of itself was fun.  Grand Central is HUGE and it was fun to see "Vanderbilt Hall" after all my research on the Vanderbilts after our Newport trip.

We checked into our hotel that was near Times Square, then headed out to dinner.  The weather was beautiful and I was perfectly content wandering around the city.  We talked about heading over to Central Park and on our way passed by Gershwin Theatre where Wicked is playing.  I said, "Let's go see if we can get raffle tickets!"  So we checked it out but we had missed the raffle.  So off we went again, taking in the city. 

We passed by the Letterman show.  (We have yet to go to a taping of the show - its on our list though)

This was at a funny store that sold (mostly) camera supplies.  There was this funny Indian salesman trying to get me to buy a wide-angle lens attachment.  This is his sales shot. :) 

After about an hour, on our walk to "Central Park" I started recognizing places we'd passed: an outdoor flower market, a store... and the Gershwin theatre again.  I teased Brandon since he never gets lost wondering how he was losing track of where we were at.  He totally played it up.  He said, "Well..are you sure these people aren't in line for the raffle tickets?  Let's go make sure..."  He pulled me inside the theatre and I waited patiently for him to discover I was right and he was wrong...Until he turned around in the reserved ticket line and announced...'Ok!  I got tickets...we're going to Wicked."  It took a minute to sink in and I couldn't wipe the huge grin on my face for the next 4 hours.  What a good liar my hubby is.  I'm glad he only uses his powers for good!  He got us amazing seats and the show was just incredible.  Definately the best Broadway show I've seen. 

I had to sneak this pic before they yelled at me to put my camera away ... 

After the show we walked around Times Square, explored the M&M Store and then headed back to the hotel.  The next morning we got to SLEEP IN which was so nice since our kiddos have been bursting in every morning about 6:15 A.M.  The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed a slow easy day.

 

On our way to Central Park (for real this time) we passed Carnegie Deli and decided to eat there.  The sandwiches are seriously ALL meat ... it was crazy.  And they had some of the most DE-lish NY cheesecake I've ever had. 

After our tummies were stuffed we headed over to explore Central Park.  We found one of the ponds there where people were racing miniature sail boats.  It was quiet and so relaxing. 

 

Finally it was time to check out of the hotel and catch the train home to pick up our kids.   Such an incredible trip...it was the re-charge we both needed after such a busy last month.  Loved every second.  Brandon, thank you again...it was amazing. 

1...2...3...4!!!

Miss Olivia turned 4 yesterday.  What a little sweetie.  She came running into our room at 6:15 in the morning, "Mom! Guess what?!  It's my BIRTHDAY!"  She got into bed and snuggled with us.  "But I don't think I'm four yet, because I don't look any different.  I kind of look the same don't I?  What's different?"...she kept up these questions for a few minutes until Brandon said, "Well, your legs grew longer."  "OH!  So THAT'S what's different.  My body is the same, but my legs are longer!"   We snuggled in bed watching her excitement bubble over and talking about the day four years ago she "officially" entered our lives.  It was my favorite 30 minutes of the whole day.  Happy Birthday my sweet!

Egg Hunt @ the BEACH anyone??

I wanted to post some pics from our Egg hunt a few weeks ago.  On a last minute whim the day we dyed our eggs, I thought it would be fun to do an egg hunt at the beach.  I grew up in Utah, nowhere near the ocean so we've really enjoyed having the beach so close here.  We went with some good friends of ours and it was even better than I had hoped.  The Dads were in charge of hiding our dyed eggs around the sand and beach grass while I held off Olivia.  After the eggs were found, we played in the water a bit, looked for seashells, wiggled toes in the sand, and even tried a little Karate Kid inspired kicking on some old pier posts. 

And for the Karate Kid Contest....

Brandon gets the award for cool sand sprayage (see the middle pic, under his extended foot...)

I get the award for highest kick...Watch out...My kicks will definately get you in the gut...if I have a ladder, or an old pier, I'll get you in the jaw.

And Olivia wins for Cutest Karate Kicker, Ever.  She's been practicing around the house...I'll bet next time she's a real contender!