My new best friend, the Elf!

My mother-in-law bought us an "Elf on the Shelf" last year and let me tell you, it's worth it's weight in gold!!! It "moves" throughout the house and is monitoring the kids' behavior to report to Santa. The kids have been driving each other nuts with their kindness towards each other. Morgan will have some type of treat and say, "Here Aidan take this, it's yours, no really, take it, please TAKE IT!" Morgan's also been telling me I'm pretty and the nicest mom in the world, it's funny how this always seems to happen within ear-shot of this little elf. Aidan also thinks that the elf is telling the "dodo (binky) fairy" about his sneaking the dodo when we aren't looking. Every once in a while, I'll hear a little shreik and Aidan will be running to his room and throwing his dodo onto his bed as fast as possible. This might be turning the kids into neurotic, elf-fearing little people, but it sure is going to be a peaceful and well-behaved month in the Kearney home!

I think he's kind of funny looking, but Morgan exclaimed today (of course within ear shot of the elf) that he is the cutest thing she's ever seen. She's named him Bookie, either my child will develop a penchant for gambling in the future or she really likes books. We're hoping for the latter!

Christmas Tree Anyone?

Today we loaded up the kids and headed for the snow to get our Christmas tree! The kids and Byron had a blast playing the snow...


Going after our #1 pick!

We'll just pretend that we made this snowman and that it wasn't already there. Aidan was so happy to see the snowman, until Byron peed all over it.

Trying to get a little sledding in between scouting...

This was a very scripted pose. Apparently, Morgan has been watching America's Next Top Model, she kept striking these crazy little poses...

Thanksgiving with the Morin Family!

It's becoming quite the tradition for us to go over to the Morin's for Thanksgiving. Noel always makes an incredible feast, while their darling daughter, Emma, entertains our children... I kind of feel guilty, but just can't turn this great deal down! I didn't get any pictures of the "big kids," they were too busy with the gluttony!

Well, of course Aidan's wearing a Dr. Seuss hat! Isn't that what you do on Thanksgiving?

Silly kids! When we left the Morin's at around the kid's bedtime, the only way that we could get Aidan to leave was by telling him that we were just running home to get him some of his beloved Frosted Flakes, but then we'd come right back. Luckily, he was asleep by the time we got home or that would have just been weird for us to show up again at the Morin's at nine.

Goofy little guy, he keeps us so entertained!

Mommy's Helpers...

Having a child with food allergies means that we do a lot of baking, especially around the holidays. It's really important to us that Morgan gets to feel like she's a part of the celebrations at school, with family and friends, so we are constantly trying to copy what will be served in an egg-peanut-tree nut-fish-sesame free version!

Aidan and his favorite "p-tar" (guitar) shirt... To see this kid play the air-guitar, you'd think we have a reincarnated Jimi Hendrix in our midst.

Morgan and I gearing up to make our first round of pumpkin pie. Note the matching aprons, thanks to Grandma Dolly. According to Morgan, she and I must be matching at all times, if at all possible. It's great having a 5 year old picking out your wardrobe, (insert sarcasm, this kid comes up with some crazy ideas!!!).

My little baker!

This is what happens...

When daddy is playing poker at the neighbor's house... Mommy and Morgan have fun helping Aidan work on his best imitation of Chris Farley (or maybe this look is more Jane Fonda?). This comment is for 16 year old Aidan, "Sorry buddy, you just give me so much material to work with! But I love you and your silly spirit!"

Family Pictures Again...

Here are some more pictures from our photo session with our friend, Marjorie. If anyone in the Boise area is looking for a fantastic and fun photographer, she's your girl! www.marjoriemcbride.com

A week without a temper tantrum=HEAVEN!

We all know that Morgan can be a little "intense" at times. For the most part, Morgan is a sweet, loving, funny, smart little girl, however, she can have moments when nothing in the world is right with her! Usually, it has to do with what she is going to wear, she will act as though we have told her that we are about to peel her toe nails off when in actuality, we've asked her to put on a coat because it is freezing outside. Or she will act as though we have just told her that her first born child will be sold on the black market, when in actuality we've told her she can't wear her free Little Gym t-shirt to family pictures. So we instituted a "fit-free chart" and WOW, there is PEACE in the Kearney home! Her first reward for a week free from the dreaded "fits" was a trip to Pojos with her friend, Gabi. We had a blast and the $10 spent on game tokens was well worth the peace and quiet in our house!div>

The look of a girl who is pretty dang proud of herself!


Bumper Car Mania!


The kids showing what they earned from their game playing skills. Morgan chose pink vampire teeth, Gabi a tattoo and Aidan a worm, although he isn't showing it, he's just happy to be hanging with the big kids...

Family Picture Time!

As mentioned previously, we had family pictures on Sunday! And we already have them back! Our extremely talented friend, Marjorie took the pictures... I HIGHLY recommend her! Here's a preview!

http://www.marjoriemcbride.com/Kearney/

Halloween...

We had a great Halloween weekend! Our little Minnie Mouse and Dragon Boy are both exhausted as I type this from all of their adventures. We started off the weekend at a Spooooookkkkkyyyy Party, thrown by our great neighbors, the RebaCamps, we trick or treated with the Hamilton's and Company, had an open house (since we are trying to sell it), and had family pictures taken at Camel's Back by our extremely talented friend, Marjorie. Here are some photo recaps of the fun...


Halloween Pre-Funk... Preschool style. Things have changed since college pre-funks!


Morgan and Ory waiting for their shot at the world's strongest pinata!


One happy little Minnie Mouse!

Walking home from Friday's party... My three favorite peeps.

I tried to get a shot of the two of us and this is what I got.

About to start the trick or treating fun! Someone named Aidan is excited for copious amounts of sugar!

The gang. Watch out NorthEast Boise, this crew means business.

I LOVE SUGAR!!!!!!!

Morgan has come a long way with her "fright factor." Disneyland might be an option before she's 25 after all...

Trick or treating in the 'hood. Busloads of people from everywhere came to our end of town.