Can you believe Christmas is next week?? I feel like we just got back from Thanksgiving in Ohio a few days ago... I dont know where the time goes this time of year - but it always just flies by! The pictures above are from James' preschool. They had a photographer come and take some pictures - they turned out pretty cute I think. My two can be big hams when they want to. The picture below is James and his school friend CiCi. They LOVE each other so much, always trying to wrangle a few playdates and sneak into the others car on the way home. We've gotten together a few times out of school so they can play, but with the holidays here it has gotten harder with everyone schedules - so hopefully in a few weeks they will be able to see each other more. 

 

 

Since his school is a co-operative school, one of the many things that the parents are in charge of is the raking leaves. We came to help (and let the kids play) one weekend and it turned into a day long project, but they kids helped and had a blast.



 

They have started snuggling together on the couch, doesn't get much cuter than that!



 

When the weather is really nice (which is fairly often) a lot of the kids will stay and play on the playground after school - and all the siblings get a chance to play too! This time they all wanted to play Ring Around the Rosie, Madeleine did not quite get the part where everyone falls down - but she always laughed when the other kids pretended to fall.



 

Shes getting sneakier...



 

Our neighbor Parker came over for the morning a few weeks ago and we all just lounged around in PJs... She is a year younger than James and will follow him everywhere. They are so sweet together, kinda melts my heart.


 

As usual, I failed at taking a lot of pictures in Columbus over Thanksgiving week. But here are a few, the kids had a great time - they always love seeing their "Ohio Family".



We went and cut down our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, and the kids loved running around - Madeleine wiped out a few times over some tree stumps but shes tougher than she looks. James found us the perfect tree. Native NC trees look more like big tree shaped firs, but it works!



 

James is back to sleeping on the stairs... the kid has got great balance.



 

James' preschool will let the kids play outside no matter what the weather is (unless it is dangerous - but we rarely have dangerous weather - so they are always outside). Which is awesome because they get their energy out and have a blast... but then they come home covered in mud. I have learned to keep a change of clothes and a few towels in the car.



 

Amanda and Addison came and spent a weekend with us - James and Addison get along amazingly. Not that they are older, they have the most fun together. Its so great to watch. The top picture is of the boys three years ago playing together with a bin... and the two pictures at the bottom and of them playing with a bin this past visit (Addison is once again in the box!). Some things never change!

 

 

This is a day after school when he was just so muddy I stripped him and then immediately through him in the shower - what a day!



 

John bought himself a remote control helicopter - Madeleine just yells at it the whole time. Its a happy yell, I promise!



 

Future firefighters!



 

Our most recent family picture, not the best but better than most!!



 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!!