Tree Pickin', Tractor Sittin'

Today, we headed out on our annual pilgrimage to buy our Christmas tree. We thought this would be the year that Charlie would really enjoy picking out a tree, and Chase was definitely old enough to get in on the fun too.

So, we piled everybody into Mama's bus, played Christmas music on the way and were looking forward to a fun afternoon browsing through the tree lot.

No sooner had we started browsing when Charlie spotted a bright orange tractor and hay wagon. I immediately started having flashbacks to the dreaded Patterson Farm Field Trip. Dear Lord, please let's not start this again. I can't take another tractor/hay ride/pitch a fit incident. At least our preschool teacher was nowhere to be seen. Thank goodness.

Anyway, Charlie was preoccupied from this point forward. He really could care less about which tree we picked out. He wanted to inspect the tractor from every angle. Then, out of the blue, the nice owner of the tree lot offered Charlie the chance to sit on the tractor. Charlie was in heaven! I was thrilled.

So, that's just what Charlie did. He sat on the tractor the entire time while Mike and Chase picked out a family Christmas tree. I, of course, took pictures.

And here they are... Pictures from our Christmas tree pickin', tractor sittin' field trip.

This is Charlie looking back at the tractor.

"Mama, there's a giant tractor over there! Charlie sit on it!"

At this point, Charlie has bailed on us.

Ah, the joy in little Charlie's face. A tractor. 

Mike's on his own here...

Charlie, in heaven.

Is there anything better?

Chase wants to check out the tractor too!

Charlie is "patiently" waiting for Chase to lose interest in the tractor.

And Chase starts to lose interest. Charlie, meanwhile, is still fascinated.

"What's over there?"

Chase has left Charlie to his tractor and is running free through the trees.

I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For

One of my favorite Thanksgiving/Christmas songs is Bing Crosby's "I've Got Plenty to be Thankful For." It's a simple song with a simple message and the lyrics are so, so true. I love it.

We certainly do have plenty to be thankful for. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with both of our healthy children, a healthy Oma and a healthy Mama and Dada. We were all together, relaxing, playing and enjoying the day. We even watched football. I made all of our favorite foods and I even made a tasty turkey. Oma made apple pie and we enjoyed dessert with the neighbors. It was all so fun!

Here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving. Hope yours was just as wonderful.

This is actually Thanksgiving eve, but I had to get a picture of this. Too cute! (Charlie's idea, of course.)

What cool dudes!

This is one of Chase's new favorite things to do - stick his tongue out. Go figure.

Oh, man. Is he cute or what?

Chase would read books all day if you'd let him. He loves it.

RUB MY BELLY!

Even Shelby says, "RUB MY BELLY!"

Cuddlin' with Mama.

Getting ready to chow down!

Charlie finally wakes up from his 4-hour nap to join us for dinner.

Oma and Charlie.

"I'm cute and I know it!"

Dada, lovin' the day off.

Thanksgiving... Preschool Style!

Today, Mike and I went to Charlie's school for a Thanksgiving feast... preschool style!

Instead of turkey, we ate Chick-Fil-A nuggets.
Instead of stuffing, we had mac & cheese.
Instead of sweet potatoes, we had hash brown casserole.

In fact, it was all delicious! It was so fun to see Charlie in his element, playing and having a great time at school. We so enjoyed the song that all of the kids sang to the parents too. All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon. Here are a couple of pictures from today's festivities.

Charlie's seat at the table...

Getting ready to sing to the parents.

Getting ready to eat the turkey apple that he made.

Charlie and Izzy.

Is it me, or does Charlie look like he's in pain?

Hugs from Mrs. Mundy.

Saying goodbye to Mrs. Yascur.

Festivities over. Playing outside for awhile before nap time.