Deck the halls

We had Chris's work party last weekend. It was nice to get dressed up and get out, but between the house project and the kids, we're kind of wiped out and we ended up home and in our jammies by 10. On Sunday, we trimmed the tree, which was HYSTERICAL. Katie knew exactly how to hang the ornaments, but kept going to the same branch over and over. Ben picked up on it fairly quickly, but he was much more interested in taking them OFF the tree. Still, it's been three days and the tree is still standing (although we had to hang all the ornaments from about 2 1/2 feet and up!), so that's a good sign.

Insulation

As of the first week of December, we were on insulation for the house project. It makes the rooms much more pronounced, as you can imagine. Here's a shot out the front window. We're on drywall now (due to finish today...we think) and the roof is due to go on by this weekend. We'll get more shots once those items are checked off the list. Still, we're progressing nicely, and hope to finish it out by early January (if not before??)

The light parade

Tyler was sooo excited about the light parade.

Krista, Ben and Katie had fun seeing all the lighted cars drive by (especially since they were throwing candy into the crowd!)

Ben and Ty on the ferry back to the hotel.

Katie and Momma playing around.

Annual Savannah weekend

Every year, sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Grama Susan and Krista take the kids to Savannah for a weekend getaway. This year, it was the first weekend in December. Here are some of the highlights. I think there is a shot of everyone (minus Krista, who took the shot) in front of the gingerbread house from last year if you wish to compare. We stayed across the river and took the ferry boat over to River Street to enjoy the sights (and the sweets!) Check out Ty and the caramel apple and Ben and his taffy. He had more fun taking it apart than anything else.

Having fun

Daddy got in some playdough time with Katie and Ben. We've shied away from playdough at home for all the obvious reasons, but they really did have a blast playing with it, and as far as I know, Ben didn't even eat any!

Tyler and Ben playing with race cars in the hallway.

The Children's Museum

We all went to the Cincy Children's Museum the day after Thanksgiving and had such a fun time! Here are some of the highlights.

Kissing cousins

Katie insisted on giving Sam a hug and a smooch every time she saw him. I guess it won't be too many more years before we'll have to remind them BOTH that they are related!

Fun @ Uncle Eric's house

Ben would NOT get off the quad, but Abby seemed to enjoy chasing him. Hmmm...wonder if Santa will bring him one of those for Christmas??

Grama B playing around with her grand boys.

Ben, Abby and Sam pose on the stairs. Katie wanted NOTHING to do with the papparazi.

Tyler gives Katie a lift so she can bounce extra high on the trampoline. You gotta love that we set it up right next to the stacked stone fireplace. Clearly, we did not have our thinking caps on! Or helmets on the kids....

The pie makers

Katie was only too happy to help Grama make a pecan pie for Thanksgiving dinner. Still, she really enjoys eating the batter more than anything. Can you blame her?