Elf on the Shelf

I know that everyone probably has elf on the shelf already-but we just started it this year and the kids love it. I decided it is a tradition we will definitely do every year. The kids love waking up and finding Holly, our elf, in a different place every morning. She has been found leaving special notes for the kids, toilet papering our Christmas tree, eating our tootsie rolls, driving Cache's fire engine. ect.. The kids think it is hilarious. Anyway, I will miss when Holly has to go back to the North Pole until next year. This year has been so much fun seeing Christmas through the eyes of the kids. It is fun seeing the anticipation and excitement on their faces as each day gets closer to Christmas.. They love the lights, decorating, music, movies, books, candies, carmels and the buying gifts for each other. They really "get it" this year and love everything about it.. Did I mention they want every toy they see too? (I made the mistake of giving Logan a target magazine and said circle toys that would be fun for Christmas.. She circled basically every toy in the whole thing) I told her Santa would only bring her two or three at most so she better narrow it down. lol

This is where they found Holly this morning. They wrote letters to Santa yesterday and she brought them back a letter from the North Pole. (They were super excited to find that so far they were on the "nice" list)

CACHE TURNS 3

So I am definitely a little behind on posting. (I had to free up some space to be able to post more and I have been busy lately) Anyway, hopefully it will work now..fingers crossed.. Anyway, Cache and Perry had their birthdays a couple weeks ago and I wanted to post some pics. We did a little combined party/dinner for them at Perry's parents house. Cache is still obsessed with cars and Lightning Mcqueen so I did kind of a low key cars theme for him. He loved every minute of his party and all the attention. He especially loved opening the presents. (no surprise there) He is at a really fun age and has a lot of enthusiasm for life. He loves to be silly and laugh. He is sweet most of the time-but at times he can also be very strong willed and have a mind of his own.. He is usually very pleasant unless he is tired or hungry.. (he is kind of like his mama) He loves playing cars and is content to play by himself making up stories as he talks to his cars and toys. He also loves playing with Logan.. (He has recently learned how to get under her skin by teasing her) We sure love this boy.. I can't believe he will be a sunbeam in a few weeks! (at least I can spy on him at the piano)

    

 He tried out the frosting while I wasn't looking... (stinker)

 Luigi's Casa Della Tires

 Mater's tow cables

 Guido's green salad

 Mater's taters

 Franchesco's fresh fruit

 Ramone's rolls

 The two birthday boys

IT'S A GIRL!!

LEAF PICTURES

 We took our annual Leaf pictures a couple days ago... (There were hardly any leaves in our yard, but we made do with what we had) This is a little photo session I look forward to doing with my kids each year. It's fun for me to look back and see how much they have changed, and who do doesn't love pictures in the leaves? (They actually kind of cooperated for once and i think I got some decent shots.)(I think their favorites were making silly faces)
Last year..

This year..

He is definitely looking like a little man now.. Makes me kind of sad he is getting so big..  



 I love these ones of their silly faces.. They really are goons..