stinkerbugs.

Corey just told Lawson that they needed to take a bath before we go to the Christmas Eve service at church...

Yeah! Cuz Baby Jesus would say P.U.!
What's dat smell?
It smells like two stinkerbugs!

kobe's.

We all took Corey's mom out to eat at a Japanese steakhouse for her birthday...

Sophie and Lawson were thrilled with their Shirley Temples.


But they weren't too sure about this...


Sophie snuggled up with Aunt Heather for most of the fire parts.


And Lawson kept a cautious eye on the chef.

On our way to the restuarant, we had to pull over for some fire trucks with their lights and sirens flashing. This led to a whole discussion on fires, and everything they ever heard about fire saftey in kindergarten and pre-school...

We don't play with matches.
We get out of the house if it's on fire.
We don't go back for stuffed animals or toys.
We go to Miss Amy and Craig's front porch.
We call 911.
Yeah... call 911, Sopie. Not 1167. Dat won't help you. Don't call 1167, okay? You call 911.

So we spend 15 minutes talking about fire and how dangerous it is,
and then we make them sit at a table 12 inches away from this...



It's no wonder they were a little nervous.

Uncle Casey trying to catch a flying shrimp.


Even Grandma Jones tried to catch one.

All my pictures of Corey catching a shrimp were blurry. But he did catch one. (after 4 attempts)

Everyone tried except me... nasty seafood. I was quite content with my chicken.

One more fire...

to which Lawson says, "I don't want anymore fire, Daddy!"

And a birthday "candle" for Grandma Jones...

We finished eating... Lawson kept a close eye on the chefs playing with fire all around us...

Then back to Aunt Heather and Uncle Brian's house to play with (aka: smother) Max and Ozzy.
Such tolerant little dogs...

even while they're getting their faces stretched.

Poor Ozzy just looks worried...

He must have seen what just happened to his brother.

Happy Birthday, Jeanette!

snow.

Big snowfall last week...



Can you see the ornery in this little face?
He's getting ready to throw a snowball at me.


Marley misses you, Amy! Hope you're enjoying sunny California!


Poor Miley. Marley just wants to play, but doesn't it look like Miley is about to be attacked by a bear?


Corey rescued her.

(Look at Craig back there working hard while the rest of us play in the snow!)


A more responsible mother would have found snow boots. Rain boots don't keep little feet very warm.

But they seemed to manage okay...

Marley loves the snow!

Those would be frozen icicles on her nose.

And now we're feeling the cold...

Inside for warm footy pjs, hot chocolate and snuggling on the couch under a blanket!

lights.

We do this every year...
stop at Sonic for ice cream treats...
then drive around town looking at Christmas lights.
(a friend of mine said they do this in pajamas... we may start that next year!)



We saw lots of pretty lights...


lots of inflatable characters with music...


but this house is always the highlight... "the crazy house"


or, as my friend called it... "the house that Christmas threw up on."


Lawson likes the Spiderman the best.


Their neighbors have gotten pretty carried away, too, but so far it's a little more tasteful. :)

christmas.

We decorated for Christmas weeks ago... but I'm a little behind on my blogging.

I love getting these boxes out every year.

All the special ornaments.

All the ornaments that I forget about until I see them again.

Remembering where each one came from...

from who? when?

Lots of memories.

Sophie's first Christmas...

Lawson's first Christmas... (but every time we talk about this ornament he says, "But I'm not a puppy!")

Marley's first Christmas... (thanks Miss Amy!)

Notice there are no ornaments on the bottom 2 feet of our tree?

Miss Marley likes to eat ornaments we've found. So they've all moved up a few branches.

Sophie's pirate stocking... (before Mommy fixed his eye)

The real reason we celebrate...

How many days until Christmas?!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas...

Still lots of things to get crossed off my Christmas to-do-list.

Card were mailed yesterday. There's no rule that says Christmas cards have to arrive before Christmas, right?

Christmas pj's bought last night. Cute, cute.

Presents will be wrapped today. (Kids are at daycare)

Busy, busy, busy!