....Happy Holidays....

From our little "happy bunch" to yours!

Dear Santa

All I want for Christmas is...

A Spark Scooter (check)

Ribbi Rabbid Nintendo DS game (check)

Darth Maul Lightsaber (and check)

A Fire Truck (check)

And a Race Car (huh??? Glad we had this talk)

And maybe a Train (because my mom said so)

And...

Blank Stare. (That will be easy)

Tears for Christmas?

I have never really been much of an emotional/sentimental person. I was never one to cry over things, in fact I would probably say that I didn't show much emotion at all. My sister and I would laugh at my mom or give her that "Oh geeze mom look" when ever she would start to cry while watching a movie. I always wondered how a sweet story or deed could bring someone to tears. It just never made any sense to me.

THEN

I had children.

I blame a lot of things on having children, my new found forgetfulness, or lack of muscle tone. But I swear that something happens to a woman once those pregnancy induced hormones first introduce themselves and there is no going back.

These days I cry every time I see a baby being born (on TV-thank you TLC channel and a baby story), when I read a sweet story or even when watching a movie! What the heck has happened to me, I think as I sit with my eyes filled with tears while watching Greys Anatomy or the Practice.

Children...

Motherhood...

Hormones...

Aging...

That is what happened. It has made me a blubbering, tearing, motherly mess sometimes.

So when Porter brought his present home from school today for Ryan and I, I almost lost it. Totally unexpected, it hit me...

The tears.

Now you see... it's really not so much to cry about. It is very sweet that if he could give his daddy anything he would give him a hug after work and that he loves to ride in his truck to school. But it wasn't that that got me all moist in the eyes. It was that he said if he could give his mom anything it would be "fresh paint for our house."

Tear* (Background info: Our next door neighbor is a painter and is going to paint the outside of our house, with Ryan's help. Christmas is going to be small this year and I have been telling Ryan that all I want for Christmas is to have the house painted, since it will be free of cost.)

Apparently Porter knows how much a new coat of paint to our house means to me.

Now do you see what I am talking about!

A blubbering, tearing, motherly mess!!

And for the first time ever,

I am the one receiving the "oh geeze mom look"!

(I almost want to give myself "the look" too!)

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Everywhere you go...

I have been so bad about posting lately. Why does it seem like life is just slipping away? Anyways we have been enjoying all of the festivities of the season. The boys had a blast decorating the Christmas tree, helping Dad put the lights on the house and watching every Christmas special on TV as possible. I can't believe "IT" is almost here!!!

So...

(as I break out into song with Porter's favorite)

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.

It's the best time of the year.

I don't know if there'll be snow,

but have a cup of cheer.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas;

And when you walk down the street

Say hello to friends you know

And everyone you meet.

Oh, Ho

The mistletoe

Hung where you can see;

Somebody waits for you;

Kiss her once for me

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

And in case you didn't hear

O by golly have a holly

Jolly Christmas this year!!

A Public Announcement

I would just like to publicly say...

That I DO NOT

Approve, Accept, Defend, Support or Endorse this man's choice in hair style these days!

The above information has been brought to you by Mrs. Autumn Bell Rosenlof.

Thank You.

A Thanksgiving Getaway

So we did it again...

We piled all the kids, toys, DVDs, snacks, drinks, Cd's, bags, jackets, skateboards, scooters and anything else that would fit into the car and set off on another fun filled family vacation.

And after the initial shock of being woken up and snatched out of their warm cozy beds at the break of dawn, these three could barley contain their excitement. (Can you see it?)

Destination:

"Nashville" Washington

Needless to say it was a long 16 hour drive!

With many stops to "water" the side of the road (thank you Phearson), a bunch of movies and a few incredible meltdowns

We arrived...

And I swear I heard the angels sing!

Anyways, we had a great time visiting with the Nash family! I actually took so many pictures, I haven't even known where to start. So just to warn you this could possible be the longest post ever!

We started out the week with a trip up to the Nash's Beach House in Long Beach, WA. The scenery was beautiful.

You would never have guess that there happened to be a big storm including 100mph winds along the coast the night before until...

We cruised into town and saw dark empty streets, giant up rooted trees and power polls and wires lying along the roads. A little storm wasn't going to stop this group however. We still ventured out onto the beach...

And played...

And eventually decided to stick out the night a the beach house without power. It's all about the adventure, right? We bundled up good...

And kept warm by the fire...

The kids were in heaven with their fire roasted hot dogs, marshmallow, flashlights and glow sticks. And I was in heaven with "this" type of camping! Real beds, feather down comforters, fireplace, running water and toilets... need I say more!

The kids had plenty to keep them busy and entertained which gave the adults time to lounge, talk and relax. (I only wish I had gotten a picture of the "pirate" themed kids room.)

We headed back to Vancouver where we celebrated my 33rd birthday in style. Mariachi style that is.

I also received the cutest little birthday solo from this guy. He really rocks it! (Although the only thing I think he would yell into the mike was "Frennnncchhh Frie". It was hilarious!)

We spent a day up a Mt. Hood

Playing (fighting?) in the snow

"Team Rosenlof"

Although he thought is was the coolest thing ever, I'm not quite sure that Phearson quite knew what to do with all this white stuff.

"The gang" (Otto, Lilly, Ruby, Porter, Tav, Brooklyn, Phearson)

Round two (or maybe 5) of snowball fights

Which usually ended in someone in tears.

And little Tav just trying to stay out of it.

We also spent a lot of time at "the Knuckleheads Clothing warehouse". It is like a giant play house for all. Shopping for mom, a skate board mini half pipe for dad and the kids, trikes, toy motorcycles and wagons... (I think you get the picture)

Thanks giving day was great. Yummy food, fun people, and good company. Thank you to Gloria and the whole Nash family for a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! I think I was most thankful that this kid took a long much needed nap in my arms. (Reminds me of just how sweet he can be which just happened to be needed that day)

The boys were again lucky enough to be in a photo shoot for Knuckleheads clothing. We LOVE our Knuckleheads!

To check out the Knuckleheads fall 2010 sneak preview click HERE

I just can't get enough of these boys!

(Porter, Phearson, Tav, Otto, Redge)

One of the highlights of our trip was being able to cut down our very own Christmas tree and bring it home with us.

The kids had a blast running around looking for that "the perfect tree". It was all they could do to stand still for one minute with a tree before spotting another, "better one"!

And just like a pro, my man cut that tree right down!

However I think he got a bit overzelous in the act and ended up hurting his back. Opps! Lesson learned.

It was a new experience that I'm glad we got to share with special friends.

And don't you think the fun stopped there! It was off to Taber and Jenna's house for some good old four wheel'n fun.

Don't be fooled with the expression on this kid's face.

He absolutely LOVED his turn and was in tears when it was over!

(And I know what you are thinking... no helmets! And thier mother is a neuro ICU nurse!!! Horrible isn't it.)

And with all that fun we figured it best be time to once again...

Hit the road

With a few sad faces and several tears shed...

We once again piled the kids, toys, dvd's, snacks, cd's, bags, jackets, skateboards, scooters and a fresh cut Christmas tree in and on top of the car and made our way back home.

Thanks to the Nash family for a memorable Thanksgiving Getaway!

Until next time...