We are READY!

We've decorated the tree We've hung our stockings with care

We've decorated the dining room (for Christmas dinner)

We've had lots of visits from Oreo, our Elf

We've enjoyed the decorations

We've gone to Northpark to see the trains

We've had another encounter with Santa And Jackson was happy (not Anna----in case you were wondering)

We've decorated our first Gingerbread House with BFF Tate

And made cookies for Santa with Nana....

and Papa

Isn't Santa lucky???

And now we can sing Jingle Bells too. So bring on Christmas!! We are ready!!!

Anna is 10 months today!!

It's so hard to believe Anna is 10 months today. She is such an absolute joy in our lives. Here's a little bit about Anna these days:

She's just starting to eat some finger foods (here she is with a cracker) Her latest trick is climbing the stairs.....and she's really good at it. She can climb all the way to the top of our back stairs

Luckily the front stairs are still a bit slippery for her

So what is Anna's favorite toy? Well...she loves Jackson's tools

Jackson's firetrucks

Jackson's cars

Does she like other things? Well---here is her reaction to a doll stroller....

Her absolute favorite toy?? JACKSON!!! Here they are in the playroom together for some quality fun

And there is no fun like chasing your brother through a tunnel over and over and over and over again

We love this picture. It totally sums up our two kids and their wonderful relationship!

Santa Babies

We took the kids to see Santa last weekend at Bass Pro. They have the most incredible set up by the way! Anna did pretty well surprisingly and Jackson was thrilled to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas (a guitar and Fred (from the CARS movie) Here's one of Jackson 2 years ago---not as happy!

And Mrs. Claus happy as can be!

Jackson's old "my first Christmas" hat he wore at 3 months fits Anna perfectly (at basically 10 mo)

We're getting ready for Christmas around here!!

All Aboard the Polar Express...........

Last weekend we rode the Polar Express train. Never done it before and it was pretty cool. The kids both wore their jammies and even Santa made an appearance on the train. Here they are showing off their snowman jammies on the way out to the car (even though you can't really see Jackson's) As we boarded the train we walked through freshly cut trees and they blew snow on us...

Jackson and Anna on the train

Anna enjoying the ride

Jackson was a little shocked when he saw Santa coming through to our train car but it made the experience very magical

Picture overload

Happy Thanksgiving! Here are some of the cooks in our kitchen for Thanksgiving (minus Grandmother who I think was playing with the kids during this picture) Anna with her Great Grandmother

Anna with her Great-Great Uncle Max

And as is tradition in the Mowrer household you have to hit the mall the day after Thanksgiving for the full holiday shopping experience. Jackson even got a candy cane handed to him from Santa

Emily and Karl had us over for a delicious meal at their house

And Karl sent us home with some venison that he himself hunted

It was a little chilly in Tennessee. Anna and Mimi bundle up for a walk

Dow hanging out with the kids

And we got lucky that family were in town that we haven't seen for quite awhile. Here's Jackson and Lottie Sue together (they are second cousins)

And a first in a long time is several of the cousins all together!!! From left to right...Emily, me, Erica, Darcy and Matt

And here we are again with our significant others joining the picture. We had such a great day all catching up. It was so good to see all of you!!!!

And for those of you who know my dad and used to make me ride to school (jr. high) in this car with the top DOWN in SNOW (no joke) Jackson got his chance this trip. Up and down the driveway which can be quite a ride!!

Jackson got one of his all time favorite meals (it actually might be the favorite meal)---Dow's Pizza!!! (for some reason the shot of him making the pizza got deleted). He would have eaten the whole pie if we hadn't stopped him. Black olives and spinach!! Yum!

Jackson and Anna became quite the piano players this trip

Jackson and Anna absolutely love the woods at Mimi and Dow's house. Jackson must have run up and down the hills hundreds of times. Sadly I don't have any pictures of him. Here's some of Anna enjoying the trees

Auntie Em with the kiddos

On our last day we visited an interesting petty zoo. Jackson was a little shy about feeding the animals

Check out this laid back pose!

And for those of you who have never met a zonkey (cross between a zebra and donkey) this is what it looks like!

It was a little much for Anna so she decided to take a nap instead

We had a great time seeing lots of family!!