Christmas Cookies

Note to self...an 18-month-old is NOT developmentally ready to help decorate Christmas cookies...here's the proof:

Jonas does like to EAT cookies, though...

Here he is with the sprinkles...and Ben looking on, wondering why I thought this would be a good idea...

the finished masterpiece (mostly eaten by now...)

This last picture is a little blurry, since Jonas is perpetually in motion, but worth posting to show you how much fun he had during our afternoon of decorating! And just a side note...check out that hair...does that remind you of anyone???? (BEN!)

Donuts with Santa and Visiting Baby Joshua

For our last Early Childhood class before Christmas, we had "Donuts with Santa" on Wednesday morning. As you can clearly see by the pictures below, the DONUTS were the highlight for Jonas. Although, he wasn't too scared of Santa...no tears were shed. And now, in addition to all of his animal sounds, he can "ho, ho, ho" like Santa on cue.

Clowning around at home...

Last weekend we got to go visit Jonas's new cousin, Joshua. Jonas spent lots of time playing with Noelle.

There was reading...

table-dancing...

karaoke...

and plenty of cousin bonding.

So far it seems that Noelle is a great big sister...even wants to be up in the middle of the night to "help" with the baby. Sounds like fun!

Tree Trimmin'

For the past 4 years, Ben and I have been a bit lazy...we haven't put up a Christmas tree. Well...we do have this little table-top tree that we called our Christmas tree, but it is starting to look a little bit squashed from all of our moves...and it definitely won't fit all the presents for Jonas underneath it! I also admit that deep down I was worried that Jonas might somehow remember if we didn't put up a Christmas tree. So, to avoid having him use his deprived childhood as an excuse for any sort of bad behavior he may have as a teenager, we took him to pick out a tree this year.

Here he is looking for the best one...

And here, I just wanted to document the wonders of the "stow and go" seating in our new minivan. Yes, a minivan. But seriously...look at this...we fit our TREE in it!
And here Ben demonstrates how to trim the Christmas tree...
And here Jonas demonstrates that it is MUCH to close to bedtime to be messing with the over-stimulating task of tree trimming!
Here is the finished product...mostly decorated AFTER Jonas has gone to bed. Now we just have to see if it stays decorated!

We also put lights on the OUTSIDE of our house this year...and I did also document this milestone with a picture. But then I became paranoid about posting that picture on the internet because you can see our house number... So I guess you'll just have to take my word for it! :)
Happy Holidays!

Visitors

So fun to have a quick visit from Jaime and Grace last week! They grow up so fast!

Thanksgiving, First Haircut, and Playing on a Snowy Weekend

All bundled up the Friday after Thanksgiving for the "Holiday Stroll" downtown with Grandma and Grandpa.

Playing with cars yesterday while it was blustery and snowy outside!
Enjoying the snowfall today - although Jonas enjoyed it more than anyone. Ben had a lot of heavy snow to shovel, and I had a lot of pulling of that sled to do!
Not quite sure how to move around in this snow yet!
Finally, I got tired of pulling the sled and we went inside - Jonas and Dixie still enjoyed watching Ben work hard at the shovelling outside!
First haircut on Thanksgiving...Grandma did much better than I ever could have done! I really didn't want it cut, but Ben was worried that it was starting to look like a mullet! By the way Jonas looks in these pictures, the whole experience was torture! But I have to admit, he did look like a handsome toddler after it was all over!

Hanging out with Grandpa.
Sharing some pie with Grandma.

November

Playing outside on a cool day.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving.

Sleeping in.

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween!

ROAR!!!!!!

BOO!

OUCH! I think I'm sitting on my tail!

Hmmmm....who put this candy bowl at toddler level?

Fall Days

Just helping dad mow up those leaves... Jonas is starting to learn that he is supposed to stop and smile at the camera. Isn't this a nice pose?

I think I've posted other pictures of Jonas in the bike helmet. He re-discovered it hidden in the garage during our yard-work day and insisted on bringing it back in the house. Then this morning he decided it was the perfect accessory to his pajamas while watching the Today show from his rocking chair. Of course, the way he typically uses the rocking chair, he probably SHOULD be wearing a helmet!

Visiting

This weekend Jonas, Grandma M., and I went to visit Uncle Alex, Aunt Katie, Abbie, and new cousin Isabel. The weather was perfect for lots of playing in the park...very summer-like. Lots and lots of playing took place. And in the evenings, the adults got to hang out...in the kitchen...the only room in the apartment where no babies were sleeping!

Here are the cousins reading sweetly together in the chair...very impressive considering this picture took place on the last morning of our visit...about the time Abbie was wondering, "how much longer do I have to share my toys?"

Here is baby Isabel...the whole purpose for the trip. Of course, since she is just one month old, this is about all she does...thus, this is the only picture I took of her!!! And so it goes for the 2nd child :(

Here's Abbie eating up the goldfish that got spilled at the top of the slide...

And here's Jonas making sure no other kids get to them before him!!

Jonas surveys the park before deciding where to go next...(or maybe he's just taking a little breather...that Abbie can go and go!!)

Storytime! Trust me...bedtime routine did NOT go as smoothly as it may appear here.

And Grandma joins in on storytime...

Don't think it was all play and no work for Grandma! Here she is pushing the double-wide.

Jonas enjoys a bit of sliding.

Sliding together...so sweet!

Like I said...that Abbie can go and go...sometimes NORMAL slide use is just too boring for her!

What a great way to spend a long weekend!