It's the Holiday Season!

At some point in the near future, I hope to start a post without having to apologize or make excuses for why I've been away so long. Though my exhaustion is sure to increase in the weeks/months to come, so we'll see!!

In any case, here we go!!

This morning we left the house bright and early to catch the "Dancer Express"! Every December, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) - the commuter train we (well, not me anymore!!) take to work, runs "Santa Trains". The tickets sell out fast, and the train was definitely full! It's just a 50 minute ride, but Santa comes through, as do some carolers, and other VRE employees handing out candy canes and coloring/activity books and crayons. The activity books are geared toward rail safety lessons for the kids. Also, the trains are a drop off point for Toys 4 Tots donations. So the purpose of the ride is for fun, safety awareness, and charity - not a bad way to spend a morning.

Tyler had a great time watching out the window.

Evan spent the majority of the time playing with a cup holder...

but eventually he joined his brother at the window.

I have a couple of really cute videos from the train ride, but our sucky internet service makes it impossible to upload them. Fios can't come to Morris Farm fast enough!!!!!

Hey! Here comes Santa!!!!!

Of course, by the time Santa got to us, neither Tyler or Evan wanted to get near him.

Must have been the obviously fake beard!!!

They were far more interested in the candy canes!

After the ride, I tried to get a picture of Mitch walking with the boys alongside the train. For some reason, at that moment, the camera decided to start acting wonky and would not focus. But here's the shot anyway... perhaps we'll just say it's "artsy".....

When we got home, there was a bunch of playing, and cleaning (we're preparing to have Evan's birthday celebration tomorrow), and eventually, nap time for us all. I was upstairs in bed, Evan was downstairs in a chair, and these two passed out in the family room while watching Noggin.

And now a bit of a flashback, to Thanksgiving a couple of weeks ago.

Unable to travel to VT because of my, ahem, condition, we went to Fammy and Grandad's for dinner.

Here's Mitch spending some time with Charlotte:

I'd like to say "little" Charlotte, but my goodness! She is nearly as big as Evan!!

Busy in the kitchen!!

A beautiful table... and yummy food!



After dinner, the triptophan started to work it's magic.

Here's Tyler chillin' in a chair with Steffie, which is quite shocking. Ususally the cat doesn't let any of the kids get that close!

Even Nathan slowed down for a bit....

And Uncle Richard was down for the count!!

In other news, I am done working. This past Wednesday was my last day. It was bittersweet, as I was sad to leave a great job with great people, but I was definitely ready to stop working! I have officially reached the state of misery with this pregnancy.

My mom arrives tomorrow. We'll have a small family celebration for Evan's birthday, albeit early, but I will be in the hospital on his actual birthday. I'm thankful he is too young to know the difference. Hope to get in a mani/pedi, and some more Christmas preparations before Wednesday morning, December 16th, when we have to be at the hospital by 8:00 a.m. for a scheduled C-section at 10:00 a.m.

I'll try to post some birthday party pics before Wednesday, but I caution you against holding your breath. I will have my laptop with me a the hosital, and will get pictures of Baby Girl Bath up as soon as possible after I recover from my surgery fog!!

Until then!!