MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!!

(These pics are really for family to see, but enjoy none-the-less!)
We had a nice, semi-quiet Christmas Eve dinner, Tim and Ry opened new Christmas jammies, we set out cookies for Santa, then it was off to bed (early) for stories and sleep!

Christmas morning...Ry couldn't wait to get downstairs...can you tell?




The horse Tim made for Cameron...not quite finished yet...some carving on the head, sanding, and staining still left to do (even though Santa's workshop was very busy last night, he still couldn't quite finish in time...oh well...the boys loved it anyway!)

ALL WRAPPED UP

I finally got around to getting our neighbor gifts made this year. They turned out quite cute! Inside these lovelies was either home-made English toffee, or chocolate dipped candy cane sticks with white chocolate decor...so yum.


My favorites...

FUN CRAFT FOR KIDDOS

If you are looking for a fun craft, go to my other website...My Muddled Mind for some fun for your munchkins!

SANTA, REINDEER, AND A FIRE TRUCK

Our insurance agent put on this cute little get together for all of his customers families. Santa was there with his reindeer, and we had a freezing cold ride in a fire truck. Sad, but my children were more into the reindeer than Santa (which is the reason we are ALL in the picture with him...they wouldn't sit on his lap alone...Rylan just stood in front of him and said "I want a big boy bike" then started walking away...and Cameron just cried.) And the highlight...the fire truck ride. While in the truck I said to Rylan, "Buddy, you are riding in a real fire truck" to which he replied, "I am, I REALLY am!" So cute! We are having a great holiday so far!


The only picture we were able to capture in the truck...if you look closely you can see the truck in the mirror (along with my double chin...(please disregard that!) too many mint Oreo's this season!)

IT'S COMING ON CHRISTMAS, THEIR CUTTING DOWN TREES

Over Thanksgiving weekend, we trekked into the mountains to find the perfect Christmas tree. I don't know if we accomplished finding "the perfect" tree...but it is pretty close. And the adventure was so much fun! Thanks to Uncle Josh for being our mule and dragging the tree all the way to the car...what a guy!

GIVING THANKS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We had such a fabulous day and hope that you did too. Although we missed most of our families, we were able to have Tim's brother Josh and an honorary Pettitt, Jeff, come to our house this year, which has been wonderful. We are so thankful for all of our blessings especially our family and friends!


Our Thanksgiving table settings (had to include this picture because I thought the table turned out super cute!)

SNOWED IN...

There's something exciting about getting an email early Sunday morning saying that church is canceled. Maybe it's just because it is different and you can stay in your pajamas all day...I don't know, but we definitely took advantage of the day. I know, Sabbath breakers, right...but in Denver the snow doesn't stay long. It practically melts away the next day, so we just had to go out and play!! First thing we did was eat some amazing Egg Nog Pancakes (recipe below)...they were fabulous (served with pure maple syrup...yum!) Then we had a little gospel lesson. And then snow clothes were piled on and out we went to build a snow-man! We ended the day by going on a little drive with some hot chocolate (in some seriously cute disposable cups) while the boys sat all snuggled up in the back and watched 'Frosty the Snowman.' It was a fun "snowed in" day!





EGG NOG PANCAKES
(recipe courtesy Nigella Lawson)

2 TBL butter
1 1/2 C flour
2 heaping tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
Pinch salt
1 1/3 C egg nog (plus a little milk for thinner pancakes)
2 eggs

Melt the butter and set aside to cool slightly.

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Add the egg nog and cooled butter. Pour wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined.

Heat a non-stick griddle and cook up those yummy pancakes! Serve with pure maple syrup!

THE CARNIVAL CELBRATION

I admit that none of my ideas are original, but I do try add my own personal touch to them. Hence, the very popular carnival party. I have been thinking about doing a carnival birthday for Rylan since July and found an overload of ideas. The finished production...

Rylan's Carnival Celebration!

Invitations (included an admission ticket)

Table scape

Place settings--these were also used as ticket bags, and at the end of the party each guest turned their tickets in for treats at the candy bar.

Carousel Cupcakes and a Candy Bar Prize Table

Games: Fishing, Ball toss, Duck scooping, Balloon animals (provided by...moi)
Menu: Corn dogs, Fries, Corn on the Cob on a stick, fruit, lemonade

Opening presents (the best part!) I had the person who brought the gift help Rylan open it...that way it was funner for the kids (although most of them ended up telling Rylan what was inside the wrapping before he had opened it.)

The birthday boy!

I had so much fun planning and doing this party, even though it was a little crazy at times (what can you expect with a bunch of 3 and 4 year old's!) Rylan loved every minute of it, he was so excited and happy and practically bouncing off the walls the entire time, (even Cameron sat and watched and was a really good boy...of course he was munching on a candy necklace for most of it.) Thanks to everyone that came and for all the gifts...Rylan can't get enough of them, and he continues to talk about his Carnival Party and all the friends that came! Happy Birthday Rylan Bug!

CAM-MAN TURNS 1

We threw a MR. MAN birthday party for Cameron while we were in Utah last week. When I saw the original idea I just about died with the cuteness of it. I felt like it turned out very cute although it was a lot of work. I can't believe my baby is already one. He is such a snugly sweetheart and I absolutely adore him. Happy birthday my little man!





Of course, we can't forget at least two of my favorite pictures of the some of the guests that came...my brother and his little guy. Thanks for posing guys...it makes the picture so much better!

SCARECROW FESTIVAL AND PUMPKIN PICKING

On a day that we had record lows here in CO, we were crazy enough to take the boys to a local festival. Major bonus, it was free. Hot chocolate, hay rides, face painting, candy, prizes, pumpkins, and a fire truck...what more could a boy (or girl) want!

FIRST SNOW

It's snowing today. It snowed on Thursday too, then it all melted away on Friday. We couldn't help but get warm clothes on, make hot chocolate, and go on a little drive to get doughnuts, then come home and snuggle up in our bed and read stories with the boys. Today it was 27 degrees. There's nothing like snuggling up by the fire and watching the snow fall to end the day...although we are wondering...what happened to fall?

[photo by 'cupcakes and cashmere']

A LITTLE PLACE CALLED ASSSSPEN...

We took a spontaneous trip to Aspen, CO this week, or as Rylan put it, "Azben". The weather was perfect, the colors were beautiful (right at peak...or just before), and the town was quaint and just what we needed to unwind and relax for a day or two. Other than Rylan locking us out on our hotel room balcony and the car ride there, the trip was great! We wish we could have stayed longer! Rylan has been saying that he wants to go back to our "other home" aka, the hotel and his "new bed" aka, the hide-a-bed/pull-out bed.

Look closely and you'll see a herd of elk in the field...(ps...this photo was way too dark, so it is photo-shopped...sorry for the funky-ness)



Could that view be any more spectacular!



quaint little downtown Aspen