The Calm Before the Excitement Storm

 Is there anything sweeter than a Grandma and her granddaughter looking out the window for passing cars/people/dogs/horses?

Maybe just these little tiptoes.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

 (Which is good, cause Christmas is only a week away)

The Monday after Thanksgiving, as is the Lockhart tradition, we went to the Heidrich's Tree Farm to pick out our Christmas tree. Ethan really wanted a Charlie Brown, scraggly tree but we compromised.

 Then it was on to decorating. Snapped this adorable pic of the kids walking through Wal Mart to get some new lights

 Lucy LOVES Christmas lights. It's the most content she's ever been in her car seat. Although, she doesn't realize that Michael and I don't control where the lights are. She's always asking "More, please" (Yeah she says please and its adorable)

  So, while she's asking, we tell her "keep your eyes open" and this is the face she makes, saying "eyes"

 It's been a pretty mild Christmas season so far, i.e. not feeling much like Christmas. It has been nice to be able to get the kids out of the house, Lucy gets stir crazy pretty quickly and taking them both, well, anywhere gets a bit stressful.

 We did have one snow day.

 We tried busting out the sled, but between the below freezing temperatures and the very light dusting of snow, it only moved about three inches down the hill.

Fifth Birthday!

 How exciting would it be if I just retold Etan's birth story? Yeah, I'm probably the only one that enjoys that story...over, and over, and over.
HE'S FIVE!! That's an entire handful of fingers!! How did this happen?!?!

He's such a sweet, kind boy (that is crazy for presents!) He has at least three girls in preschool that are vying for his hand in marriage. He cares so much for others, is constantly helping and playing with his sister.

 His imagination is wild and crazy. And he seems to be growing two inches a month.

 And he is incredibly smart. He is always adding and subtracting numbers or telling me the first letters of words.

 I know I'm late on this post, but we had a hell of a week. We all came down with the stomach flu, and while the majority of the sickness passed after two days, it took a better part of the week to feel normal again. Because of all the sickness, we had to postpone Ethan's birthday party to this weekend. And then, because I procrastinated, I had to plan the party. Oh and I have two children that needed attention.

For his actual birthday, we took the kids up to the Denver Children's Museum. It was a blast! And, I guess, pretty educational.

Ball room

Future veterinarian

Brown bear

Fire truck driver

Rescue hero

 And of course the excitement of opening birthday gifts with the family

 Today was his party. He was allowed to invite five friends (you know, cause he's five). Only 3 came but two brought siblings so it was still a full house. Rather than planning games (and cause I'm a procrastinator) we just let the kids have some free play. Eat cupcakes and open presents.

He's a great kid. I couldn't have asked for a better boy to come into our lives. I hope he had a memorable day.

Thanksgiving Feast

 I'm a little behind on my posts, I've been having "storage" issues with this blog. Blogger thinks that I like to upload pictures, hmm. Oh well, things are up and running for now.

Through E's Pre K class he had a Thanksgiving program and feast that we were invited to. It was a quick little show, each class sang a few songs (Ethan's was the cutest, not to brag). Then we all got to watch the kids eat their feast. In other words, torture for Lucy, the girl loves food.

 They were indians and sang about squirrels. Ethan has wanted a tie or bow tie since the beginning of school and was surprised by this shirt a few days before. (The tie is Angry Birds)

 Lucy stayed busy coloring by our feet

and then bribed with a lollipop

 What a stud. (out of his class, I found out he has 3 girls asking for his hand in marriage)

Karate Yearbook

 At E's karate school they have pictures of the students from each year on the walls. Last week was Ethan's turn to get his picture taken for this year's "yearbook."
We were prepping him during dinner, asking him what kind of face he was going to make for the pictures, he told us a tough face. He followed through...

Karate Man don't cry

Karate Man bruise on the inside

Who give Karate Man ninja turtle-like sai?

Ummm, and gigantic swords???

Ok, Karate Man a little excited about the swords

(I did have to explain to the photographer that we told him to make the tough faces, he thought he was scared of him, or was mad about getting his picture taken.)
This kid is amazing!!

Pumpkin Smash

 Best way to dispose of Jack O Lanterns, well, other then pumpkin pie

She was pretty upset about this

Halloween (x4)

When I was young, I remember dressing up for Halloween at school, if it fell on a school day, and then that night for trick or treating. Now, my kids get a full week of celebration (well, almost)!
Festivities started Friday night at the Woodmen Valley Trunk or Treat.
     *Trunk or treat is where people volunteer, decorate their vehicles' trunks and hand out candy. You walk around a parking lot versus going house to house.
There was candy, tons of kids, and...bounce houses!!

Lucy the kitty (maybe Puss in Boots, notice the sai)

Beginning the transformation to ...

FRANKENSTEIN!!

First time in a bounce house

Pile of candy

 After sharing some of the spoils from the evening, the kids went a little crazy

But who can resist this?

 Night #2. OK, this one was a little rough. The church that Ethan's preschool is located at was having a trunk or treat (see definition above). I went online, found the time, got the kids dressed...

 Soldier and penguin...and got them in the car.

 We got to the school and, there was no one there. Calmly, I explained to Ethan that there was a mix up and that we were there on the wrong night, to which he responded by immediately bursting into tears. Then we have to say a quick hallelujah to the inventors of google, and smart phones. I found another trunk or treat at a church nearby. We stopped by home, grabbed Michael and went

 By now, Lucy knew the whole candy deal and didn't let the bucket out of her sight

 Then she came up with this candy face, I couldn't get a better angle

 Next up, fall festival for Ethan's school. Here's him and his friend Jalynn.

  And not to be left out, my little bumble bee (with her cat ears on)

 That night, we (Michael) carved pumpkins. He let them pick their designs

 Finally, for the love of all things Halloween, it was time for the REAL trick or treating!!!

 We threw Clark Kent in there, don't leave the house without Superman

They loved it. Ethan was great with his trick or treats and thank yous, Lucy used Please and thank you very well. They came home with more candy then I know what to do with it.