Christmas Tree Shopping

We have a Christmas tree lot about three blocks from our house where we have gotten our tree for the last couple years.  We walk by the lot several times a week, so they kids were very impatient about going to get a tree.

We don't have a ton of room to put a tree and the lot was mostly out of the smaller trees, but we found one that didn't totally overwhelm the living room.

 I love the view from the lot.  It is on Santa Monica Boulevard and it is fun to be standing in a forest of trees on the busy street.

 Jonah waiting for the tree to be ready.

random recent photos . . .

The kids made some sugar cone and frosting Christmas trees at their friend Dean's house the other day. 

 Harper was a little more careful than Jonah about not getting frosting all over her face :)

Posing next to a snowman at the Grove since there was a 3 hour wait to see Santa.

 Christmas tree lights at the Grove.

 The kids being goofy.

 Jonah in his carseat.

 Harper had her holiday program at her preschool this morning.

DSC 3905 from Erica Jackman on Vimeo.

handsome Jonah

A day in the life...

We decided to take Daddy along to drop Harper off at school this morning and then go grab some breakfast.  Here are a few photos we took to remind ourselves of these days before they pass us by.

Heading out to school.  Harper has a rough time with her eczema when the air gets drier and colder.  Her eyes are puffier and she has splotches on her face and body.

Harper doesn't seem to care about the eczema and she demonstrates her latest "here I am" pose, which she busts out when she knows a photo is coming.

Norra Sterry Elementary.  We had to apply to get it in, but unlike a lot of preschools in LA this one was free.

 Waiting for her teacher, Ms. Ana.

 Also waiting for teacher.

 I am Spiderman!  I'm also very serious at times.

 On the way to the car, we decide to get a photo of Daddy.

After we drop Harper off it is time for breakfast in Westwood.

On being told he is having pancakes.

 This man is ready for some pancakes (and they appear to be on their way).

Yummy!

All About The Benjamins

As I shut the front door behind me on my way to work today Harper (age 4) told me to "go get the monies Daddy."

It looks like she has finally realized where all the candy and toys in her life have come from.

Pumpkin Carving

We spent some time this afternoon carving a pumpkin.  Harper has been asking what is inside the pumpkin for about a week.  I think she was a little disappointed and grossed out.

There are a few more new posts so keep scrolling down!

ward trunk or treat

Tom and I were talking on the way to the church this afternoon and this is the SEVENTH Trunk or Treat we have attended at this ward building.  That is so crazy!

The kids have been looking forward to this all week.  It turns out that Jonah was pretty much just interested in candy and he whined about it during the entire games/food portion at the beginning.  But we all had fun even though it was 90 degrees here today.  It made me so nostalgic for the parties we had at my little ward in Texas.  We played a lot of the same games (cake walk, fishing, etc.) and it was so fun.  I feel so very, very lucky to be a part of our wonderful ward.

Harper was Rapunzel.  She LOVED being told how beautiful she looked all night.

Jonah was Captain American.  Yes, those are pajamas. 

This is Jonah's best friend Dean.  We tried to get a photo of them together but they weren't interested.

Tom was White Trash Batman.

This is Harper with one of her best friends Zoey.  They guys are two peas in a pod.

We got some bubbles

And some cupcakes in the cake walk.

These guys tend to be more interested in frosting than cake.

Harper won a spider ring.

And even got to participate in the pie toss.  They let her basically push the pie into the poor guys face, except that somehow she still missed.  She loved trying though!

visit from Grandma and Grandpa

A couple weeks ago my Mom and Stepdad came down from Utah to see us and go to the Utah/UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl.  We were so excited!

Waiting for Grandma and Grandpa. 

We had fun going out to eat.

 And getting some yummy cream puffs.

 And we were sad that Grandma and Grandpa only got to stay for the weekend.  We are definitely looking forward to seeing them at Christmas!