Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aunts and Nieces go together like PB and Chocolate!

Every child should have a home to visit where all rules are null and void. Where jumping on the bed with the dogs at 3am is acceptable, reese cups for breakfast a given, jabbing elbows and knees tolerated, and learning to drive is done in the lap of an unconventional aunt hurtling down the interstate. The total adulation I had for my aunt as a child grew into a beautiful friendship that went beyond "family".
So my Christmas wish this year is that my aunt (in this next phase of her journey) is enjoying herself as usual and is heeding the advice she always gave me growing up: "Be good! And if you can't be good, don't get caught!!"
P.S. Vince (a.k.a Freckle-Butt) sends his love to you, Marshmellow-Head!

Never one to watch life from the sidelines . . . .

All Mia wants for xmas is a balloon!!!

These are clips of different days of Mia and her balloon. I never would have guessed a balloon would provide so many hours of entertainment. It is her absolute favorite toy of the moment and she will roll across the floor in hot pursuit to get to it! Hope Santa brings her a big supply!

Christmas Program

With a sigh of relief, I am happy to report Vince did not spend the entire Christmas program this year picking his nose!! Aside from running to us a few times (once to kiss his sister), Vince was ready to perform this year. I'm assuming this face was because he spotted Daddy taking pictures and was copying him(??)Yeah, that one is mine.
I'm including a video but I forewarn you that it is 3 1/2 minutes long -which might be too long for even the biggest of Vince fans). But perhaps if you are procrastinating at work . . .

The kids' FIRST Christmas Parade

I finally decided to brave a parade with the kids this year because a friend of mine told me of a parade in the afternoon in a small town nearby.

The boys move WAAAAY back when a clown appears and who can blame them? Tristen doesn't take his eyes off the clown lest she makes a sudden move!!

. . . but this one comes bearing candy so she must be okay! Vince moves in fast!!

Once the parade starts and candy starts flying out into the crowd, Vince is soon pouting because he hasn't mastered the art of throwing elbows and poking other children in the eyes to get to the candy. I try to get him to focus on the cool cars and horses, etc that normally would appeal to him. But he could not get past the disappointment of reaching for a piece of candy only to have it swiped away right before his very eyes!! After 10 min of listening to him whine about going home, a piece of candy was heading towards my head and I snagged it (and yes, I would have thrown some elbows myself if need be to get it!) With some candy in his belly, Vince was finally able to enjoy the parade! Hurrah!

Vince's favorite part of the parade seemed to be at the end when he discovered a piece of candy the other kids missed. Needless to say, if we go to another parade, I will be searching for a candy-free one or bringing a bag full of candy to throw directly at Vince. Mia was equally impressed with the parade.

Later on that day Vince went to a Pajama Pizza Party and made his own pizza! His friend on the left, Evan, sang throughout the party: "I'm the Birthday Boy and I'm four years old!!!"

Mia is 8 months old already :(

Mia is weighing in at a hefty 20lbs these days! She had some chunky spaghetti last night and gobbled it down with no problem even with no teeth! She has learned how to yell angrily like her brother and often directs her angry screams AT him! I can't leave her alone in any room on the floor because she just rolls right out of the room and goes wherever she wants. She has already gotten under the tree and chewed on some presents and started pulling the branches and lights down. She likes to lie down beside Vince and they roll across the room together and then go back the other direction. Vince is also trying to teach Mia how to play "patty-cake" now. She is loving the attention from him.Mia's friend, Haley came to visit the other day and they had a few staring contests.

Vince and Mia go chat with Santa

Vince and Mia went to see Santa today. Vince has been very anti-Santa thus far in his life so I didn't hold much hope that he would go near the man. He held tightly to my hand as we neared the big guy. Santa asked Vince what he wanted him to bring for Christmas. Vince told Santa that he wanted a train and Santa performed some train wistles that impressed Vince so much, he hopped right into Santa's lap. Then Vince told Santa that Mia wanted an Elmo (??) Santa requested that Vince leave him two chocolate-chip cookies and a glass of milk on Christmas Eve. Vince was very against this idea and tried to explain that HE needed those cookies for himself. This request could take some more persuading from Mom and Dad. Mia was quite taken with Santa so we couldn't get a picture of her facing the camera.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vince goes a-Turkey-hunting! He finds a turkey even Mommy will eat:Endless hours of entertainment found in a balloon:

Welcoming the Fall:

You know you want to jump in this pile with me! Don't try to resist the urge! Vince and Mommy bury each other:

Last week Mia attempted to condition her hair with some banana "shampoo" during dinner. She got both hands into the action and lathered up!

Mia slept through the night last night!!!!!!! Yeah! Our most highly anticipated milestone! Let's hope it happens again before she's five year's old. Perfecting the innocent look:

Look, Mom! No Hands!!

Finally caught Mia's trick on video:

Mia is 7 months (and 1 day) old

Mia weighed in at 19lb 8 oz today. She had to go get two yucky shots today. The nurse was tickled with Mia because she was still smiling at the nurse even through the tears. Brave girl!
The green-eyed monster in Vince comes out anytime I take a picture of Mia, so . . . . here is Vince at 4 yrs 2mo. (with his blankie as well, of course)I sure hope Vince studies his history book as intently as he did this toy catalog! Look out, Santa! I forsee a loooong xmas list this year.

Happy Halloween!!

Vince and Mia headed out early to trick-or-treat this year and Mia tired out quickly.
Our neighbor made a huge cemetery that Vince was very interested in watching him create all day. Vince was just as interested in checking out everyone's cars in their driveways as getting the candy. But once he got home, he quickly began the negotiating with Mommy as to how much candy he could have before bedtime.

The loot . . .

Just getting around to scanning these and posting them. Mia (6mo):

Vince (4yrs):

I just love this kid. So spunky!:

Sarah Palin gives Vince some candy

Vince and Mia recently attended a Trunk or Treat last night. Here's a video clip of Sarah Palin giving Vince some candy and telling him to remember where he got it from . . . and that little traitor still went and voted for Obama today.
The boys dive in for some candy . . .Mia trying to turn her ballerina costume into a "rockstar" look.

Mia and Haley patiently pose for pictures for their camera-obsessed mothers:

My Ballerina Girl!

Happy Birthday Tristen!!!!

A note from Vince to his blog fans, Tristen and Ashton:
Hi guys! Had fun partying with you yesterday! Since you like the blog, I thought I would put some more pics of you here! Me with the birthday boy:Ashton and I brave the obstacle course:

Later Pufferfishes!

P.S. Mia wanted to add:

Pumpkin Patch '08

Wow! What happened to my baby in one year?!?Vince insisted on sitting beside his buddy, Evan, for the hayride!The boys get right to work in search of THE pumpkin. Vince was very determined to get the right one this year and very much against taking a break for pictures.But after a few threats to his livelihood, he paused for a couple of minutes of photos . . . and pulling his sister's earMia couldn't chooose just one pumpkin. She liked them all:Vince really liked the corn playland. When he came out, Jim had to turn him upside down to shake all the corn out of his clothes. I'm still picking up corn from my carpet.Vince checks out the teepee . . .. . . while Mia checks out her Daddy!
Turn your audio up to hear how much Vince enjoyed the slide: