Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Every year as a child, my family and I would go out and cut down our Christmas Tree. There's something about the smell of fresh pine that puts you in the holiday mood. Todd had never experienced having a "real" tree for Christmas, but he assured me that we would someday...After six years of marriage and three children...we have finally cut down our own tree!!! Hooray!

We went to Misty Run Tree Farm.

Here are Todd and Jake...

with their saw and nifty tree cart..to pull our tree back to the barn.

The boys agreed on this lovely Douglas Fir!

We thought we'd picked a huge tree, but it was actually only 6 1/2 ft.

That's as tall as Todd...only the tree

was a lot wider!

The boys are a bit confused...

they don't understand how we're going to get this tree home!

We love our Christmas tree!

Mom and Dad are excited too!

There's my strong husband attempting to cut down his first tree.

His confused expression is trying to cover up his frustrated expression...the tree is not budging...he is sawing, and sawing, and sawing, (maybe it's because Todd's in a dress coat instead of some old rugged clothes). He then has me lean into the tree, (which you can't see, because I can't lean and take pictures at the same time)...to try and push it down. After a good 30 minutes, my overwhelming, supermom strength has ripped our tree from the ground...and good old Todd sawed off any rugged remains. Boy, this was fun! I LOVE cutting down our Christmas tree!!!

Alas, our tree is ready to go! Todd's beat...it literally took him 30 mins. to saw down our tree...Jake's nose is running...and Ben is screaming because he's cold. Though not in the picture...the baby is screaming too, but mom is still smiling...'cause she loves cutting down the Christmas tree. This was just our first time...I'm sure next year will be even better!!!

Our tree made it home safe and sound! There she stands, tall and regal!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! God Bless You All!

Ohio...Here we come!!!

At the end of October, we traveled out to Ohio to visit our good friends, Curt, Sara, and their daughter Ali P. This was the first time we traveled longer than a hour and a half with all three children. Needless to say....we were a tad nervous. The trip took a little over five hours and we had a blast! The kids were so good...singing...sleeping...trying to comprehend where exactly was Ohio and when will we see Ali P. ? Once we did arrive, Jacob actually thought Curt and Sara's house was "Ohio"! Oh the sweet little minds of children.

Jacob loved Ali's kitchen!

Do we see a famous chef in our future?

Go Penn State!!!

Jake and Ali are going to be modeling next year's line...

Look for them in the late summer of '09.

Curt let us explore his place of employment...

the kids had an awesome time...

and Jake loved all of the "DEAD ANIMALS"...as he referred to all of the stuffed animals...

you try to explain it to a 3 year old!

Ben, Ali, and Jake checking out the Black Bear!

Curt let the kids check out some antlers and feel a black bear...

I'm pretty sure I heard the bear growl!

Ben, Jake, and Ali skipping stones into the pond.
(By the way...we had some gorgeous weather while in Ohio...
the fall leaves were spectacular)!

Ali P. is searching diligently for her daddy's fish!
(Is she not the cutest!)

Ben gathered quite the stick collection...

He's either trying to scare away the mountain lions

or trying to start a fire.

Ali decided to get a lift to the zip line from Mr. Todd!

Curt and Todd displaying their competitive sides...

here you see them getting ready to race down the slides...

they're seeing whose child is faster.
Looks like Ali may have the lead...

Thanks for letting us hang out in Ohio!

Doctors and Tigers, and Monkeys...OH MY!

Raking the front yard...mom and dad are slave drivers!

Let the pumpkin carving begin!

Jacob is a pro!

Ben is mesmerized by Jake's mad skills!

Ben decides to give it a try too!
This slimy stuff rocks!

Even Kenna Rae gets in on the action.

You go girl!

Now that's taking it a little to far Jake!

Hats off to all Jack-o-lantern carvers!

Our "curious" monkey!

The "good" doctor.

Here little kitty...or "ferocious" tiger!

Preparing for a night of Trick or Treat...

probably more tricks than treats...

in hopes to collect lots of candy...

for mom and dad of course!

Ben's Birthday

Ben turned the big 2 on October 14th!

I made him a crocodile cake. We called him 'Old Swampy'!

Jake and McKenna shared in the birthday fun!

A little love moment caught on film!