You never know with these two.....

Ivy and Wesley are a lot a like. 

Though neither one of them would ever admit to such a thing.

They're both very determined when they want something.

Sometimes this is a good thing......

Ivy has turned into quite the flutist this year. She practices all the time, memorizes music, and volunteers for solos. It's pretty impressive. We're really proud of her.

Other times being determined makes me pretty nervous.

After months of saving and waiting for just the right bike, Wesley bought a motor cycle (and a helmet) last weekend. 

Holy Moly.

He's not on the road with it yet. It needs a little work, and he's planning to take a safe riding course first. 

For some reason he thinks a safety course should ease my mind. (It doesn't)

They look so innocent don't they?

I'm not fooled. 

One day it's all practice your flute for hours, next thing you know they're riding around on a motorbike while you're at home treating your ulcer.

My Day with Nate

Last Saturday Nate asked me if I would take him to the mall so he could get a pair of shoes.

So, I took him to the Vans store. Nate has 4 pairs of shoes. Sunday shoes, running shoes for PE, and 2 pairs of Vans. 

Obviously a 3rd pair of Vans was needed. 

Upon arrival Nate went to THE WALL O' VANS to begin the selection process.

Soon he said to me, "When did Vans get so expensive?"

You see, Nate is a saver. Always has been. He does not make impulse purchases, he does not spend money on fast food or Pokemon cards. He is practical. It's a quality I wish I had. (Seriously, I've run out of room for all of my Pokemon cards.)

Finally he narrowed the choices down to 3 pairs of shoes. 

When a sales person came over Nate said, "Howdy Pardner, can I try these in an 11?"

It took FOREVER for him to decide which ones to take home. Honestly, like 30 minutes. Ugh. There's only so much a woman can take. 

Then, just when it looked like things were all settled (Nate picked the least expensive pair, of course. Like I didn't see that one coming from a mile away.), Vans guy brought out one more pair, same shoe just a different color. WHYYYYY?

Those Van's store employees are so clueless helpful.

It was like we were back at the beginning. Nate really hates to part with his money so he makes sure he's going to be satisfied with his purchase. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

Naturally the only solution was a death match of Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Between me and the Van's guy.

You know what? After 45 minutes in the Van's store you might be surprised what you're willing to do. 

My only fear was that Van's guy would use both hands and his pants would fall down (they were teetering on the "edge" as it was, if you know what I mean).

I lost, but only rock, paper, scissors. 5 minutes later we were on our way out of the mall. That's all the victory I needed.

AND.....Bonus!! On our way out we got to see Harvey the Gila Monster doing the hokey pokey.

It's enough to make me ask myself.....Why don't I go to the mall EVERYDAY!?

Thanks Carrie & Maisie!!

Last week we got a super duper awesome box of Swiss treats. 

Everyone was so excited. 

No kidding. It could have been a box of tootsie rolls from Switzerland and we would have been thrilled.

Because, duh! Gifts for us? From fancy lands far away? Woo Hoo! 

It wasn't a box of tootsie rolls though, it was a box of awesome.

Muh-muhs. Toffee Lollies. YUM!

And robot clocks that light up when they wake you in the morning and hold your cash while you're at school. (Or in Nate's case, FOREVER, cause that kid never spends a dime. I hope Mr. Robotos' arms don't get too tired.)

Here's Eli, making his serious artist face (which is also his football face, and his whatchyoutalkin about Willis face) while showing off his fancy pencils.

Ivy with her wooden cow. 

Next year I'm just getting her a box of wooden cows for Christmas.
"I LOVE THIS COW SOOOO MUCH!"~Ivy

Wesley received a Swiss Army Pen. He hoped that one of it's gadgets was that it writes papers for you, but so far no luck. 

He's still looking for the button that makes it turn into finished homework.

Thanks you guys!! We miss you!

Alrighty then, December.....

It appears that I wasn't very diligent in photographing all of the events of the month, coverage is spotty. Bear with me.

 We had a great/busy December. 

Here's what I can remember~
We put up our Christmas tree, then our cat wrecked it. 

Cats are stupid.

Eli went on a hike with his boy scout friends. 

Ivy had a band concert, where she played a solo. 

It was actually quite impressive.

Christmas Eve we went Jon and Misty's house for our family party.

Jase, Marianne, Brinley, Mike, & Ivy

Jackson, Brandon, & Eli

Spencer & Terry comparing phones.

Christmas morning we went to church, then came home and put our pajamas back on and had a huge and yummy breakfast. Edge & Jessica came over. It was a really good day.

Nate got a leg lamp ornament. 

Someday, when his cat stops climbing the Christmas tree he will be able to enjoy it the way nature intended.

Eli got a Beard-o. Which is a beanie with a detachable beard. 

He has worn it almost continually since Christmas. 

It makes him look very mature.

Eli also got an art set, which he takes his beard off to use.

Wesley was sick on New Year's Eve. 

We all felt sorry for him.

Eli came home from somewhere with this GIANT lemon. 

Pretty impressive, eh?

Eli and Ivy convinced me that they HAD to go to the dollar store to get supplies for their New Years's Eve celebration. 

As you can see, they know how to party.

I mean, Gatorade AND Honey Combs....who does that? 

And silly string, of course!

They finished the night off (around 10:30) with some mixed drinks. 

Sparking cider and coke cocktails. Mmmm.

December was a good month. Having Christmas and New Year's fall on the weekend was nice.

We're ready for 2012! You?

Ta Da!! Wedding Pictures!!

I know I'm behind. I'm going to try to post a December recap by Monday, but before I do that, I finally got some wedding pictures back, so here, for your viewing pleasure are pictures from the wedding. In no particular order.

Thanksgiving and whatnot

We had a great Thanksgiving, thanks for asking. 

How was yours?

On the 23rd Wesley, sweet sweet little Wesley, turned 19.

19!

And once again my life flashed before my eyes.

Here he is on his birthday.

And here is his birthday cake. Somehow he talked me into letting him fill out the order form, you'd think I'd know better by now.

19 year olds are so weird.

On Thanksgiving we met up with all of the Thomases and hiked to the Wind Caves.

These four (and their little dog) made it to the top.

Later we headed over to Jon & Misty's where we ate and ate until a couple of us exploded. Good times!

Wesley is the only one who did any Black Friday shopping this year.

He found all kinds of interesting gifts for those lucky enough to be on his list.

Hope you've been nice!

 (Or naughty....or whatever it is that gets a person on Wesley's gift list.)