So hang a bell for ole Saint Nick

'Cause I believe in Santa's cause.

This is the first year we've ever put up the Christmas tree this early and I don't think I'll have any regrets. The scent of pine needles has filled the air and the tree has transformed the Thanksgiving holiday into the Christmas season. We headed out this morning to get a tree after our wonderful company departed for home. After arriving at the store I soaked in the aroma of pine needles while we checked out the trees; holding them up straight to examine their branches while I checked the firmness of them to make sure they would hold our heavy ornaments. We found the perfect short and thick tree to fill with lights and all of our ornaments. When we left the store we were greeted with a cold, wet rain. I told Conner we would pretend it was snow to make it feel more like Christmas. When we got home Nathan trimmed up the stump and voila, it was ready to go. Conner helped me hang the lights (and since then hasn't stopped asking when we'll hang the ornaments) and Nathan popped some chocolate chip cookies in the oven (I keep frozen dough balls in the freezer). I've placed the tree trimmings throughout the house so I will be greeted with the smell of pine when I enter a room.

We are so fortunate to be able to do these things with our boys. Our 3 healthy and thriving boys. Lots to be thankful for... (including this little man who desperately wants to hang up ornaments - better run).

Turkey Time

Conner and the boys anticipated "Uncle Matt's" arrival all day. When the time finally came I don't think Matt (or Melissa's) arms were empty until the kids went to bed. We are looking forward to a fun Turkey break with good food, beverages and lots of R&R. Welcome to OK Matt & Melissa, thanks for making the trip!

Dynamic Duo

Thank you, my dynamic duo, for the challenges and the rewards, the tears and the laughter, the the screams and the squeals. You have blessed us with SO much!

Her name is Lily..

After watching our 3 boys converse with the 6 year old neighbor girl for about 45 minutes we had told her if it was okay with her mom she could come over and play. She gave her the okay and they've been out back playing with flower petals, sidewalk chalk and they shared some chocolate chip cookies. While playing the little girl told Biruk to go away. Nathan and I happened to catch the next comment made by Conner "Don't tell my brother to go away; he's a good brother". It brought a smile to both of our faces and it took everything in my power to not run out there and say "I'm so proud of YOU!". That being said, five minutes later I heard him saying "Get out of here Biruk. No Biruk.". Give a little, take a little. I should add though, the neighbor girl is very sweet and polite. And I do think Conner is smitten with her. He's currently collecting rose pedals for her and doing just about anything she asks. They just informed me that they are playing "King & Queen" and once they finish peeling all the rose pedals they will sit on them. And currently they are talking about marriage. I guess it didn't take Conner long to change his mind because when she first arrived he informed her that he was not getting married. Wow. These crushes don't take long to form. Hilarious! I am really getting a kick out of all of this. My little man is growing up...

Peace on Earth

Today was a great day. The sun was shining and the boys were smiling. My morning started with an email from Nathan reminding me of our 10 year anniversary of our first kiss (and the start of "us"). A decade. And I am so thankful for the time and memories we have shared. I look forward to the next decade (and those that follow). The kids played while I cleaned the house and I decided to put out some Christmas decorations. Usually about the time I put them out I have to tear them down. So this year I decided to enjoy the holiday season. We listened to Christmas music and put up lights. It was much fun and Conner couldn't wait to show his dad. Today was much better and I'm ending the night with the classic movie Love Story (if you haven't seen this you NEED to watch it asap) and hanging out with the hubby. G'night!

Cause & Effect

Struggling. So often I want to blog but the words won't come. I don't consider myself much of a writer so having a block makes it even harder. So much I want to say but I can't get it out. But today I'll try.

My little sister (by little I mean 23 years old) just passed through town for a visit. It was so much fun and when she pulled out of the driveway this morning it was so hard to let her go (why must my siblings live so far away?). I kept coming up with reasons to delay the leave ("don't you want a bagel, maybe a pbj") taking advantage of any distraction I could find to stall her. But alas, she had to depart for her next destination (siblings is CO). And the day has been Full of Funk. It doesn't help that the past 2 days were full of heavy, deep movies that don't leave your mind (Away From Her, Love Story, Candy, Imaginary Heroes & Crash). It's just one of those days. Nathan is traveling again and whenever he is away he's missed terribly by myself and his little guys. The boys were extra cranky today and my heart felt heavy (not for myself - but imaginary characters from movies, water for Africa and some of my family).

But tomorrow is another day. One that will hopefully start with a sun that is shining and 3 boys that are smiling.

The Lovely Ladies Won't Change a Bit!

What an AMAZING Friday! My husband finished a time machine he had been building in the garage. He let me take the maiden voyage and, of course, I wanted to see what my sisters and I were like in the future. So fast-forward ahead one decade to the year 2019. Sadly, I am only reunited with 5 of my 6 sisters. They explained to me that Meagan had been working with a conservation group cleaning up some of the littered parts of Montana in 2016. She was protecting the wild life as she loved to do when she was eaten by a bear. RIP Meagan.

But it warmed my heart to find the rest of us together in my parents' basement in Garrett watching "Dirty Dancing" and eating leftover Halloween candy. OMG, Oreo introduces the TRIPLE-STUFFED Oreo Cookie in 2019! I can't wait to go back! BTW Nathan, you are fat and bald in the future.

My beautiful sisters and I below in 2019. From left to right: Keely, Kelsey, Haley, Amber, myself (Chandra), and Kirstyn.

Lovely ladies...

Have I told you how much I love these wonderful ladies in my life? I'm not sure if I've ever posted a picture but here is my beautiful mom and six lovely sisters (picture taken this summer at my brother's wedding). Miss you all!

Where is Chandra? Where is Chandra?

Here I am. Here I am. November? Seriously. And it's nearly halfway over. The Christmas season is on the horizon and I can't wait to decorate and get the house all cozy and warm. I decided that this year I am going to decorate early (thinking in the next week to be exact). We have a full month of visitors and we are super excited. Nathan's mom was just here (thank you SO much Jeanne) and my little sister will be here tomorrow, then my best friend from 1st grade on is coming, and we'll wrap up Thanksgiving with Nathan's brother and his fiance. Good stuff!

The boys are still adjusting to the new home (and unfortunately this is just temporary) and are waking up throughout the night and sometime very early in the morning. Here is video from the sunrise the other morning Landon woke me up for. It was so pretty and just another reminder of why I need to become a morning person. There is something so peaceful about the quiet of the early a.m. when most are still in bed sound asleep.

Pretty trees, happy boys and busy feet

Life is moving fast. Conner turns FOUR next week! I can't believe it. Next year he'll be FIVE. Just another reminder how precious this time is with our little guys. So very precious. And thankfully we have been having lots of quality time. We've been hitting the bike trails, playing outside, riding tricycles and currently Conner is wrestling with dad. These boys have a lot of energy.

My little sister is in London right now studying abroad. She'll be there two semesters and since she's been there we've been active with Skype. And I'm in love. What a great way to communicate. We have done it with Nathan's parents and now my folks are on it and a couple of my siblings. It's so nice to sit there and chat. It's like sitting in the living room having a conversation together. And to top it off our family can watch the boys playing. Conner currently loves showing whomever we are talking to either his mouth and teeth or his feet. It cracks him up. Biruk just loves staring at the screen and watching them talk to us. And today he even played hide n seek thinking my brother Lee could only see him if he popped his head up over the desk. It was quite comical. And the littlest of all waves hello and sometimes says hi. It's a lot of fun and I hope it will mean less time on the cell and more face to face time. And for those of you who live far away from your family, you would LOVE it.

In other news, the hunt for our future home continues. We have all sorts of wants with this next home. Seeing as it will be our fifth residence in five years we are hoping we'll find the perfect home to settle in for a while. The biggest hurdle of course is finding a nice quiet place for Nathan's office. The search has been fun but the control freak in me would like to know where we will be settling (not a fan of unknowns). Soon enough I suppose.

We are very blessed and life has been a lot of fun. The boys are getting so big and have been cracking us up since they are all able to communicate with us now. These are the days....

Fun filled fall days...

The sun finally decided to come out today. It was this afternoon and Conner and I could not get outside fast enough. By the time we were ready, Biruk was up from his nap and the three of us headed out for some Vitamin D. I swept off the driveway and the kids rode around on their tricycles. Eventually I realized I should probably mow the lawn since I have no clue how long the sun will be sticking around. Landon woke up not long after I started so I brought him out to join us. And of course while I mowed they couldn't just watch and play with their toys. They found the one muddy spot in the yard and covered their hands in mud. At one point I saw Landon taste it and I had to stop what I was doing to clean him up and get him some water. It never fails as a parent. To get one task done, you have to let them make another mess. For example, I fed them lunch the other day and headed upstairs to clean their morning mess. When I came back down Biruk had thrown his pbj (tiny pieces) all over the floor. I let them make a mess, to clean up a mess. Anyway, the yard is mowed and then when Nathan got off work we headed out on our bikes to ride on the trails and to check out a couple parks. Unfortunately I don't have any photo's but we had a great time! Came home later than we expected, grilled some dogs and brats and had a fun dinner with the boys. It was a great night and it's times like these that I don't want to forget and hopefully we'll have some more fall fun!

Refreshed & Renewed

This past weekend Nathan watched the 3 boys so I could make a quick to trip to Colorado to visit my siblings. My sister & brother in law had a game day planned at their place and I knew I was do for some R & R so I booked a ticket. I left on Friday night and returned Sunday afternoon. Less than 48 hours without feeding kids, changing diapers or giving baths. It. Did. Wonders!!!! I feel so refreshed this week and ready to face anything. Nathan is out of town for a couple days this week. Last week it was 3 days, the week before, 4 days. It was getting exhausting and that trip is exactly what I needed. There was lots of laughter, interesting discussions, games and some delicious beverages. And best of all, a weekend with 3 of my siblings, as well as my brother in law and my cousin. Such fun!! Thanks for a great trip all of you! And to my hubby for holding down the fort. Thank you!!

Video Update

They just keep getting bigger!

Birthday BLAST

I no longer have 2 one year olds. The twins are now 1 & 2 after today. I think Biruk had a great day. He got to go "bye bye in daddy's car" (a request he makes 100 times a day) and before dinner we headed over to the park where dad set off rockets for the boys. It was a lot of fun. Not sure where would we be without this little guy. I am so grateful he is part of this family. Happy Birthday Biruk! We love ya!

Choo Choo Train

With Biruk's recent interest into trains and Conner's LOVE of Thomas and his passion for trains we decided to head to the old Railroad Museum for a day of fun with Thomas. We picked the right seats because we were the only people in the car we chose. The boys loved the train ride and we are hoping to take them again soon (the museum offer train rides throughout the year).

Gently down the stream

My mom has a stream she put in her back yard a few years ago and it's become a favorite with the grand-kids. The boys could not resist throwing all her rocks and stones in the base of it and tearing up all her hard work. Biruk ended up soaking wet (imagine that) and Landon was dying to get his feet wet.