'Tis the Season

(This is Nate) Contrary to my long held position of getting the best "deal" on a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, we went out - in November! - to cut our own tree over at Linvilla Orchards today. Was actually a very nice time, hay ride included. Have to say I did a nice job on the tree (compared to the other Dad's crooked cuts). Taking bets on whether the tree lasts to Christmas: 2-1 odds against. Off to put up the lights outside...Here's a few pictures (Note Ben "helping" me cut down the tree):

Birthday Boy

Our little baby has turned 2! He's officially a "big boy". He gets pretty upset if you refer to him as anything other than a "big boy". For example, if you say "Ben, you're funny". He'll say "No, I'm a big boy." And there you have it...next time I blink he'll be asking to go on a group date to the mall. AH!

We celebrated his actual birthday by giving him his "big present" early in the morning. All he asked for for his birthday was balloons, but in the grand tradition of over-zealous parents we got his this spiffy kitchen. He really does love it and it entertains him for quite some time (i.e. completely worth it to his parents).

In the evening when Dad came home, we had cake and Ben got to open one more present. You'll notice in the pic Nate is cracking up because Ben is saying "Please Daddy, please, please, please, please ooooooooopen it!" He was pretty frantic about getting into those tools. He seemed to know exactly what to do with the candles and definitely knew what to do with the cake.

We're grateful to have such a fun, happy, bright, adorable two year old. He is an absolute joy and I can't wait to see what this year brings...terrible two's and all!

Our Walks

One of my favorite things to do when I am home or on the weekend is to take an early morning walk with Ben to Starbucks for a coffee. In warmer weather we would also stop at the school playground on the way back, but it's getting a little cold to be out for so long.

We take Ben's car and during the week it's great...all the school crossing gaurds are out (who we have become friends with), the kids are walking to school, and we like to check to see if the fire station doors are open to get a glimpse of the fire trucks.

These walks remind me that I love Havertown...it's certainly not "chic" and we don't have great shops or restaurants, but there is a small town feel. Everyone is so friendly and we're lucky to be able to walk to "town" to get a coffee and to the school to play at the playground.

With winter approaching, I'm not sure how long we'll be able to continue our walks, but if it's possible, we'll be out there!

Halloween

We have been so super busy and as a result I am very behind on posts. I could not let this one slip by though...We had a great Halloween this year and Ben quickly caught on. We gave him three choices of costumes (Cowboy, Fireman or Curious George) and he picked Fireman. Since my mom always made our costumes, and I have no doubt that Kathie made Nate's, I decided to give it a whirl. I think it turned out great, and Ben loved it! When we showed him what he looked like in the mirror he said "Oh, i look soooo good".

We had Kevin Perry's birthday party during the day, and then Nonni and Pop came in the evening to go trick-or-treating. It took about two houses, but Ben caught on quickly and began running to houses and shoveling candy into his basket while Nate and I chatted with neighbors. He also got his first candy bar, which he obviously loved. It was great fun and I am sure will remember exactly what to do for next year!