Gideon's Favorite Christmas Acitivity

REDECORATING THE TREE!

(Just ask Aunt Hillary who we visited on Saturday night.)

And you thought I was weird...

...Because I like my presents under my tree to coordinate and so I do a "theme" each year with my wrapping. But that's nothing compared to my mother-in-law. See the pictures for further explanation.

(Okay in all fairness I should tell you that while she's used this white tree with one color decorations for four or five years now, this is actually the first time she's ever wrapped all of her packages to match the tree.)

Guess the Munchkin's Favorite Food

Yep, that's right! It's pickles! He can't get enough of them!

The Munchkin Seal of Approval

You know he likes something when it finds it's way into his mouth.

Yep, I think this one will do.

Our mantle is now complete.

In other munchkin related news, he's been really sick the last two days with diarhea and throwing up. He's had a couple of really bad nights and two days where he won't eat anything but can't stop pooping or throwing up somehow. It's not been easy on mom either. Thank goodness for grandmas.

The Second Best Sporting Event

Yes that's right, high school wrestling season kicked off last night with Madison's opening matches agains North and South Fremont High Schools. (Madison won both.) Cody is still convalescing from his broken hand and butt, but the family still turned out in full force to support the team and Cody, who is this year's captain.

The good news is, he's been cleared to work out with the team and coach and the doctors expect him to be wrestling by the end of the month. Until then, we'll still go to the matches to cheer on the rest of the boys.

Gideon did pretty well at his first wrestling function considering I scared him by yelling so much I think. And I may have squeezed him just a little too tight once when I was yelling for Shuyler to pin his guy. Oops. After that, Grandma had to take him and move to another section for a few minutes. But it was giving him a sucker that really calmed him down. (You know how he loves suckers!)

This cracks me up! Mom and daddy are so intense and Cody wan't even on the mats!

Oh well, it's fun! We're looking forward to a great season!

No explanation necessary

Santa's Little Helper

We are quickly learning that decorating for the holidays is a whole different ballgame when you have an active eight month old running around.

And we haven't even put out half of our decorations this year because they're breakable.

Gideon's stocking has been ordered, we expect it to be here any day now.

For those curious about my wrapping theme this year....here's a little peek.

And yes I managed to find a place out of reach for at least a few of my villages this year. Although next year I have no idea if I'll be able to display any of this.

Happy Birthday Grandma Peggy!

My only living grandparent celebrates her 83rd birthday today. Happy Birthday Grandma Peggy! Two things my family swears I inherited from her: My organizational skills and my gift wrapping ability. Thank you grandma Peggy!

PS - Yes it's a little freaky just how much my sister Cami resembles grandma Peggy.

What Thanksgiving Taught Us

1. Gideon loves Sweet Potatoes. We already knew they were one of his favorite baby foods, but he really likes the grown-up version with butter, brown sugar and marshmallows. I think he ate most of grandma's first helping. (Which was evident in his diaper all the next day, but that's a different story.)

2. We're definitely not ready for a dog. Jesse and Kelly brought their new bassett hound puppy to dinner and while we all enjoyed her, Travis and I decided that we definitely don't need a dog yet. Gideon was fascinated with her and would constantly chase her down and pound on her (lovingly of course.) But then when the dog was in a playful mood, she'd chase the munchkin down and jump on him and lick him to death. Even in his walker he wasn't safe and there's only so far to run in our house. So we won't be getting a dog anytime soon. (And also, the cat hissed and spit every time the puppy had the audacity to enter whatever room he was in. And I just don't need that kind of drama in my life right now.)

3. Getting the three of us dressed nicely and gathered for a family picture is easier said than done.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our table to yours!