Santa

I took the boys to see Santa a couple weeks ago. Every year at Nick's Garden Center, they have Santa and a couple reindeer come in for the kids. The best part - it's totally FREE. You bring your own camera, and leave with a goodie bag! This is great, because these past few years, Evan has been kinda freaked out by good 'ol Santa. So I LOVE Nick's because I knew if it was a disaster, it hadn't cost me a penny! We waited for probably an hour, but the boys did really well! We went to see Dasher and Prancer first, before they had to go back to the North Pole.

Finally, we made it to SANTA!

This is Evan, trying to bolt....
But we convinced him to smile for ONE picture.

...and then we was at a safe distance, he asked Santa for what he wants for Christmas.

A car.

Santa was so sweet. He was asking "What kind of car? I like cars! Especially race cars!". Best Santa EVER. And Caden did really well. He just stayed on Santa's lap. He looked a little concerned...but he did great!

...and I totally win "Mother of the Year" because it was pretty nice when we left the house, so I was like, no coats needed!!! But, Colorado gets me every time. Even though it was sunny, it was cold. Especially when the sun started to go down. Oops. Sorry, boys. Evan was literally shivering by the time we left. Like I said, mother of the year right here.

A couple Evan-isms

We have been trying to teach Evan the real reason for Christmas this year, because he is old to enough to really get it. We have a great Christmas book that talks about Jesus, and we've been watching the new Veggie Tales Christmas movie a lot. Well, every time we go to Target (which is a lot), he wants to look at the Christmas section. This was what he said when we were there the other day:

"Christmas isn't about Christmas trees. It's about Mary, and Joseph, and baby Jesus. Yep, Christmas is about Jesus."

A different time we were at Target, in the Christmas section, he said:

"Christmas is not a time to be sad, it's a time to be happy!"

So, yeah. He's been scoring some serious cute points lately. Then on the hilarious side...this morning he was reading his book at the table instead of eating his breakfast. So this was our conversation.

Me: "Evan, you need to eat your breakfast. Otherwise, I will have to take your book away."

Evan: "That's rude. Mommy, that's rude".

I am laughing as I type this, because it caught me totally off guard, and was HILARIOUS. I say that to him a fair amout (like when he steals a toy from Caden, or says something, well, rude). But to hear him say it to ME was priceless. Ahhh. Evan. You always keeps me laughing....

Halloween

I wanted to get a few Halloween pics up, even though they are LATE. But, the boys were just too funny to not post. Evan was a dinosaur (this is him roaring...)

...and Caden was a caveman. It was hilarious!

(he is chewing a pretzel in these pictures which is why his mouth looks so funny. But hey, it makes for a great caveman face!)

We went to Southlands to trick-or-treat first, then our church had a big Fall Festival. This is Brandon with James....Mandy stayed home with Katie. :) And both grandma's joined us for the festivities! Fun, fun!

Evan turned 3!!!

Last month, my baby turned 3!! I have been meaning to write about it, but the month has somehow gotten away from me. However, even though it is a month late, this blog serves as a journal for me, so I don't want to forget what Evan's 3rd birthday looked like!

The day started with a special breakfast...just Evan and me! We rarely do things just the two of us, so it was really fun! I asked him these questions:

Favorite color: black

Favorite zoo animal: Elephants and rhinos

Favorite toy: Dinosaur costume

Food: Cookies (that's my boy!)

Toy to play with: "all kinds of things"

Place to go: The Zoo

That was about as much as I could get out of him. He was pretty wound up!

Then, he went to lunch with Daddy. But I forgot to get a picture of that. After naps, we went to Anderson Farms. Hay ride to a pumpkin patch, and all! It was SO fun!

....he also got to open some presents from the mail!

That weekend, we had a birthday party at home with grandma's and grandpa's, and my sister and her family.

...and a gymnastics party with his friends! **I didn't get a lot of pictures because I left early to be with Mandy when Katie was born! :)

It was a whirlwind of activities, but I think my sweet boy felt celebrated and loved! And now, so I can remember what he is like at 3.....Evan LOVES dinosaurs. (which was the theme at both birthday parties) He can name almost all of them, and has a ton of them! His favorite shows are "Dinosaur Train", and "Word World". When he his playing with cars, or dinosaurs, or whatever...he lines everything up in one big line across the room. He LOVES his brother, and says all the time, "I love you, Caden", "Caden is my favorite brother", "Caden is so cute!", "Hey Mommy, meet my best friend, Caden". He talks all the time, and is constantly cracking me up with what he says. He is very sweet and kind-hearted. He is concerned with how people are feeling, and loves to make people laugh. He is also pretty independent, and likes to do things his way. He loves to color...and use every color that he has! He is very smart, and truly is a GREAT kid! Happy 3rd Birthday, Evan!!

We love you!

The results....

In 24 hours, over $10,000 was raised.

That means that over 1,000 people will have clean, safe water for 10 years.

It doesn't have to end there. Don't stop thinking about

WATER.

http://www.charitywater.org/pages/water4christmas/

More on Water....

Thanks so much to all of you who gave water yesterday! I still haven't heard how much was raised total from people all over the country...but I will let you know as soon as I do. I also want to explain things a little more.

"Water for Christmas" was started by the sister of one of my best friends, and her group of her friends. They found charity:water and decided to team up with that organization and really make a difference. Last year, they did $10 Friday's every Friday, but decided to just do it once this year. They also are selling things on etsy, doing races, painting driveways - you name it. All to raise money to build wells in Africa. It's an ongoing thing. The beauty is, you can give a little - or you can give a lot. Last Christmas, we gave water for Christmas presents. This year, we plan to put a display up at Big O. All to help people like these:

Check out Jody's blog: http://jodyrlanders.com/ for WAY more information, and WAY more inspiration. Thanks, guys!

Today is the day!

Okay guys, today is the day! Just $10 will give one person in Africa clean water for 10 years. What?! See my last post to get a few more details on what "Water for Christmas" is all about. I heard about this last year, and honestly my heart broke for these people. I mean, I drink water ALL THE TIME. And my water is awesome! It is clean, it is fresh, and there is lots of it. But that is not the reality for everyone. Imagine having to walk for miles, having to get your water from here:

Do you see how dirty that is?? Can you imagine drinking that?? No wonder THOUSANDS of people die every day. EVERY DAY. From no access to clean WATER. Something we take for granted. So there is this awesome organization called charity:water that is doing something about it. Building clean wells, so people can get water that looks like this instead:
Now that's more like it. So today, consider joining hundreds of other people and giving $10 to make a difference in someones life FOREVER. So that little boys and girls, mothers and fathers, teenagers, grandparents - people JUST LIKE US can have CLEAN WATER. We CAN make a difference.

Just click the button on my previous post, and follow the link to the yellow "donate now" button. I would also encourage you to look around the site, get to know this organization, and get to know more about this cause.

"If not but for the grace of God, that is I"

November 13, 2009. One day viral campaign. $10.

Every day, 4500 mothers bury their children due to contaminated water. They are forced to sustain their families with a diabolical liquid that contains both life and death. This lack of clean water is the leading cause of death in underdeveloped nations. And it just doesn't have to be!So as we gear up to scurry through department stores and browse endless catalogs in search of new jeans, Tonka Trucks, gadgets and dolls....we are pausing. We are pausing. And this Friday, November 13th, we are buying water. Clean, life-saving water. $10 will provide one person in Africa clean water for 10 years. It will literally change and possibly save someone's life. A mother. A child. A brother. A grandfather. We are rallying together for a cause. Clean water. One day. $10. Asking everyone to let this be their first gift. Let water, let life be their first gift of the season. Click here to be directed to the secure donation site of the highly recognized, non-profit, charity: water. Or just click the yellow buton to make a donation. All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of your donation will go to clean water solutions in West Africa.

More of Katie Jayne....

What the boys have been up to....

...decorating cookies!!! (and eating them too, of course!)

Some Evan-isms

So, I've been meaning to write down a couple of the things Evan has been saying throughout Mandy's pregnancy. So, I'm finally going to!

Me: "So, how do you think the baby is going to get out of Mimi's belly?" (Mimi is what he calls Mandy)

Evan: "From under her shirt."

**This has been his answer for the last few months. Then the night before she had Katie he said, "From her belly button".

Me: "Do you know if the baby is a girl or a boy?"

Evan: "A Girr"

Me" :What do you think Mimi is going to name the baby?"

Evan: "Charlie".

**Yesterday, we told him that the baby's name is Katie, he said

"Katie Charlie". Every time we ask him what her name is...that's what he says!

It just may stick. :)

Miss Katie

I am SOOO excited to announce the birth of Miss Katie! She was born tonight at 6:15, weighing 7 lbs 7oz, and is 20in long! Mandy did amazing, and little Katie is beautiful! She looks a lot like her big brother, but we're thinking maybe her hair will be a little lighter?! She is too sweet! Everyone is doing great and we are all so excited that she is finally here!