Thanksgiving Weekend!

The boys have been off from preschool and swim this week and Gerard stayed home starting on Wednesday. So, we've had lots of much needed family time. It's been lovely! The boys have been off from preschool and swim this week and Gerard stayed home starting on Wednesday. So, we've had lots of much needed family time. It's been lovely!

The boys have been chomping at the bit to get our Christmas Thomas the Tank Engine out for the front yard. I kept saying, "after Thanksgiving" and "wait until Thanksgiving is over." Well, whaddeya know....those boys (well, Owen) remembered. So, on November 25th (the day just after Thanksgiving, of course) we pulled out our Christmas decorations and finished the outside AND inside. The little elves worked all day long. Gerard and I were impressed by their stamina and attention span.

I wish I had it in me to leave the tree EXACTLY as they decorated it. But, I don't. I had to move the curlies around so that they are a little more even. And, spread the ornaments a bit so that more of the tree had some. But, I really did enjoy doing this with the little fellas and I left as much of it like they had done it as I could. The glass ornaments really, really needed to be up high and out of Gavin's reach, eh?

I did get the boys' approval of the moves I made and in the end, we were all happy with our 2011 Christmas Tree! My favorite is the top--I have an angel that Owen made when he was in the Rainbow Room at preschool (he was 22 months old) and one that Liam made last year (he was 16 months old). So sweet. I can't wait to add more angels to the top of our tree!

Last year, I bought an Elf on the Shelf. After reading the book, I decided the tradition wasn't really for me. Didn't want my little ones thinking Santa had a spy and creating a false reason for them to be good. The boys should just WANT to be good. Well, poo on that theory. I think the Elf on the Shelf was created for 4 year olds. Oy. I couldn't wait to find that little bugger this year and get this tradition started! Our elf joined us last night--not a moment too soon. And, this morning, he was found, we read the book, and he was named by Owen....I am in love with this little fella who we call, "Star". He enticed Owen to make better choices at a few critical times today ;-)

Happy holidays!!!

Feels like Autumn

We have spent the last few weekends with Pa and Grammie camping on our property at Lake Fork. The days have spent watching the boys have a BLAST, clearing the land to figure out where to build the cabin, and enjoying the fall weather. Even though it's been warm, it feels like Autumn out there! So nice. This view of our gravel road from the RV is spectacular.

Last weekend, Owen spied a Cowboys and Indian play set at Brookshires. Boy, did that set get a lot of use this weekend.

Even Daddy Q got in on the cowboys/indian action.

The neighbors came by and gave us some pointers on how to use the tractor to clear the thick brush by water's edge and Pa has mastered the technique. Liam feels like he has, too.

Tried to get a picture of the three boys at sunset--didn't work out well for me ;-)

You can hear coyotes howling at night. Pa sent the boys out on their gator with their guns on a coyote hunt. Oh my goodness.

Gavin reminds me of Elmer Fudd in this picture -- "where is dat pesky wittle wabbit?"

A gorgeous tree changing colors for the fall...

Littlest fella is not longer happy just getting carted around...he wants to be. in. the. dirt.

One of the coolest trees on this property is a massive cedar (I think). Pa cut out some of the branches in the bottom of it to create a fort for the boys. The LOVE it in there....

Owen cut out a bigger space to make room for his friends for when they come to visit. Aww.

This is the hint of the view we will have from our cabin. That little sliver of sunlight in the distance is where the water is. Hooray!! I was sitting by the Tree Fort admiring the "future view" as Gerard called it. Later, Owen came to sit next to me and said, "Mom, I LOVE your future view."

And, we love it at the property. Especially in autumn!

tick tock

Man...the clock is moving fast. Eleven months old today. My baby. My last baby. My sweet, snuggly, smily, giggly, baby. I loved watching my first two boys advance in age, skills, and size. But, knowing that Gavin is the last one, it is bitter sweet watching him crawl, cruise, and struggle to get out of my arms and onto the ground to explore. sniff, sniff.

So, this is the 2nd to last scale photo I will ever take. Unreal. The next time we drag out the scale and the black blanket, it will be for Gavin's 1st birthday photo on the prop. I have taken 35 of these photos in the last 46 months. Wow!

Happy 11 months, my sweet baby boy.

Halloween!

The Quinlan Boys had a very busy Halloween! It was a "school" day for Liam and Owen and both had parties in their classrooms. Then, we had our 3rd annual trick or treat potluck at our house in the evening. So fun and so much candy!

All three boys before school. Owen was hanging on to Gavin to keep him from crawling out of the picture. Liam was squirting them with water. Oy.
Liam enjoying the candy he got in his treat bag at his party in the Orange room!

Owen having fun doing the craft at his party in the Silver room.

My three little superheros. Gavin was Buzz Lightyear, Liam was Lighting McQueen, and Owen was Captain America.

What a cute little Buzz!

Liam was growling and running real fast like Lighting McQueen. Love his little face--he did a good impression of the car on his shirt. LOL

Owen as Captain America, complete with his shield....

Cute shot of Gavin and Owen.

The whole gang before hitting the streets for some trick or treat fun.

The littlest ones that were celebrating their first Halloween. I think Gavin's face is hilarious. He didn't know what to think of Cole.

The kiddos checking our their loot after a long evening of trick or treating.

Hope everyone had as much fun this Halloween as our bunch did!