Not a fan of Santa Clause this year

Well, we found out tonight that Evan is not the biggest fan of Santa Clause this year. It took both me and Brad getting into the picture and being a buffer between him and Santa to get him to stop crying even for a second. The photo didn't turn out bad but you can see his little pouty mouth and red eyes.



Check him out just moments before the above photo. Not a happy boy. :(

This is a big change from last year when he didn't mind sitting on Santa's lap at all. But he was just a baby and wanted to grab Santa's beard and feel his soft costume. That year was much easier as it took a bit to get him to make any expression but we ended up with a priceless photo with a big grin! Had to share it to show the contrast to this year.

Maybe once he is able to understand that Santa brings presents, he'll be more excited to meet him. But I have a feeling that may be a few more years away!

A Muse

I'm art! Pretty cool, huh?

This is Brad's art piece for the Beatles Art Tribute show that took place the last few weeks in a studio in downtown Orlando. Brad and I visited the show gallery for the closing night this past Saturday. Each artist in the show designed their piece with inspiration from a Beatles song. Brad's song was Hey Jude, which Brad researched and found out that McCartney wrote the song for Lennon's son Julian during the time Lennon and Julian's mom were divorcing. It was intended to comfort Julian Lennon from the stress of his parents' divorce. This made Brad think of me and how I had to endure the divorce of my parents at a young age as well. So I became part of his inspiration, and he used a photo of me that he liked. I am touched, and as Brad is very talented, I loved what he put together. The peice is screen printed, which gives it so much character. We are definitely going to find a place for this on one of our walls at home.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Okay, I may be a bit behind here, but we finally got all our Christmas decorations up both inside and out last weekend. Then this week rushed by with many evening activities, and me and Evan coming down with a cold! So, I'm just now getting a chance to blog...there goes my goal to post at least once a week!

We are enjoying the festive Christmas spirit that comes with a decorated house. Evan loves all the lights, and turning them all on with our handy dandy remote (thanks Dad!). He'd turn them on and off again and again if we'd let him! When he sees the lights, on our house or even on the other houses in our neighborhood as we drive by, he says "oooo" and points. Too cute. Here's a look at our decorations...

We explained the whole stocking thing to Evan, and shortly after he decided to yank his stocking off the wall! But he was listening because it was HIS stocking. He also saw the stocking as a sock, which technically it is, and decided to put it on his foot. Brad and I were laughing so hard! Here are a few cute photos we captured.

This is a totally recreated moment (after the stocking incident).

I tried, unsuccessfully, several nights in a row to see if Evan would wear a Santa hat and sit by the tree, all decorated and lit up. As a typical toddler, he wouldn't sit still and preferred to wear the Santa hat over his head instead of on it. It made for some fun photos, but not one that worked for our Christmas card.

I have lots more to post but need to get to bed. I've got to shake this cold. I don't want to be sick through Christmas, and my week off from work! Woo Hoo! So excited for that. I finally ordered our Christmas photo card the other day and get to pick it up tomorrow. Hoping to get it in the mail to everyone before Wednesday. Nothing like getting your Christmas card out just a mere week before Christmas!

So Thankful

We always go to my Mom's for the weekend after Thanksgiving, and this month Brad has night classes to teach that started yesterday, so....all that's why I've been MIA here on my blog. And why I'm behind in posting my thoughts this Thanksgiving.

As I'm sure all of you are I am extremely thankful for so many things this year...most importantly my family. This year we focused on the following verse. It seemed appropriate for we know we are blessed, but we've all been dealing with hardships this year, especially financially.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

This year we had Thanksgiving dinner at our house. We brought together Brad's parents and Grandmother and my Dad, Stepmom and Stepmom's Dad, and it was wonderful to "entertain." Everyone chipped in by making food so though I was busy getting the house clean and organized, I wasn't stressed. Evan enjoyed himself, especially being the center of attention. There was a little after dinner football with the guys in the back yard...and lots of picture taking.

The Thanksgiving Table

The Thanksgiving Turkey Placecards I made
(thanks to Martha Stewart)

Evan's Thanksgiving Cards
(thanks to Nana for this idea!)

A little football with Grandpa

Hike! :)

"Ball"

It's fun to see my Dad in the photos...growing up he was always the one behind the camera! (Now, it's my turn to take the photos.)

Then it was off to my Mom's the next day for another round of delicious food and an overall relaxing weekend. How come it seems like the home you grew up in makes you lethargic? Or is it just me? Anyway, I love getting away for the weekend but never get the chance to get my Christmas decorations up right after Thanksgiving like I'd like. So as I see all the lights going up around our neighborhood, our house still lacks the Christmas spirit. I love Christmas and everything that goes along with it. So I'm really hoping to get everything down from the attic and the tree up by this weekend. I can't wait to see what Evan thinks of the tree now that he's not just a baby anymore. I've already started reading him the Christmas story, children's book version, and plan to do that every night until Christmas.

Hanging out on the porch with Granny, Grandpa and Aunt Tara

(Evan loves going "outside")

Refrigerator Sitting