'Tis The Season!

Poor Thanksgiving. As soon as that turkey passes our lips, we're on to the next thing. It's too bad, really. Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. Great food, loving family, and NO STRESS!

Oh well. We're officially moving on! (If you can't beat 'em...)

Our house is now full of Christmas cheer! I'm not sure how to cope with Rowan's crazy energy. Every time he sees the tree, he asks me when ("seriously WHEN") Santa is coming to our house. I'm hoping that a daily chocolate from the Advent calendar convinces him that patience is rewarded. (I've given up on convincing him that patience is its own reward.)

Rowan had a blast decorating the tree. Christmas traditions are so much more special now that he's mature enough to participate!

Of course, he still has some maturing to do. He tried to convince me that cousin Avery taught him to do this, but I know better. I informed both kiddos that this picture will be on my Christmas card in about 12 years.

Avery was just one member of our Christmas decorating crew. Courtney, Jason, Grandma Connie, Grandpa Kevin and Scott all stopped by. After decorating, we enjoyed creamy chicken and potato soup for dinner and flourless chocolate torte for dessert. Mmmm.

And then we sipped wine while ooohing and aaahing at the beautiful tree. It was a lovely afternoon!

Stupid Things That Cost $1

I'll admit that I'm a bit sheltered (and quite possibly a food snob), but I couldn't believe my eyes when I encountered the following freaks of nature at a nearby grocery store.

1. Microwave-ready potatoes. They're regular russet potatoes that have been washed and individually wrapped in some kind of fancy new plastic that doesn't melt in the microwave. Each potato costs 99 cents.

2. Grapples (pronounced grape-els, according to the package). They're regular apples that have been "bathed" in a concoction of natural and artificial grape flavor and encased in a hard plastic carton. A package of four costs $3.99.

Why? Seriously... Why?

Elf Yourself

Rowan and I had a blast with Elf Yourself yesterday afternoon. We put our whole family in the act.* Enjoy!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

*Points to anyone can describe the significance of our two lesser-known family members.

Little Shutterbug

Rowan LOVES playing around with the camera. I usually end up deleting the results (blurry snapshots of my butt in yoga pants, for example). But Rowan recently took some pretty cool pics.






He even captured an elusive and rarely documented creature: Kyle doing yardwork. (tee hee!)

-Angie

Election Day

Tuesday was such an amazing day. Exciting, nerve-wracking, historic, emotional and SO MUCH FUN! Naturally, it helped that our presidential candidate won!

We voted first thing in the morning. Our polling place is only two blocks from our house. Rowan actually ran the whole way, shouting "Barack Obama heeeeere weeeeee cooooome!" He thought we were going to visit Obama at his house. I think his enthusiasm died just a bit when finally made it through the line only to be greeted by a ballot and a permanent marker.

In the evening, we watched the results roll in at an election-night party at my friend Bev's house. I arrived with a flourless "Barackolat" torte. I stenciled Obama's face onto the torte with powdered sugar! The cake was a big hit (and everyone said it tasted great too).

Bev hosted quite the shindig! The picture above includes only a portion of the party goers. I hear there was even a lone Republican in attendance! (She didn't stay long enough for me to meet her. I hope she wasn't scared off by the cheering as the big battleground states fell for Obama.)

Rowan spent the party playing games with the kiddos upstairs. He was NOT excited when it was time to leave. (I wasn't really either, honestly.)

Hope you had a great election day!

-Angie

Rowan's Obama Song

After (over)hearing information about this election for months, Rowan is quite excited that the big day has finally arrived. He's been singing about Barack Obama all morning! Even if you don't agree with our politics, you've got to appreciate the kid's enthusiasm.

Happy election day! Get out and VOTE!

-Angie