Jingle All the Way. Hey.

I don't think we have any Michael Buble's in our future. But they sure have a lot of spirit!

Story time with Santa and a little something extra

On Saturday, we took the boys for Story Time with Santa at St. Martin's. The boys were really excited, especially Finn. It was a well organized event with coloring, cookies, projects, photo ops with Santa and Santa reading stories for the kids.

Finn & Santa

Sawyer did not want to go up to Santa. In fact, Santa apparently scared the vomit right out of him, as was evidenced just a couple of minutes later. Luckily, he didn't get Santa. Hopefully that's not an automatic ticket to the naughty list.

Christmas Tree Hunt 2011

Last weekend we headed up to the Santa Cruz mountains to partake in our holiday tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree. We got a big one this year- about 9 feet. That's right.

Finn picked out the tree this year. Nice work!

Finn is giving it his all trying to cut this tree with the dull saw they give you.

Jason and Sawyer are supervising.

Maybe next year Sawyer will be ready to be the sawyer. Heehee.

Looking good.

Even Momma gets a turn.

Scout is thoroughly unimpressed with the whole thing. But there were lots of different things to occupy her nose so that made her happy.

Here's the whole Papier Clan with our trees.

Halloween 2011- The Final Chapter

I had to post a final Halloween post because despite some screaming (me), kicking (Sawyer) and crying (Jason) we finally got Sawyer into his monkey costume. He was immediately content. Go figure.

Banana, check. Lollipop, check.

The only thing scarier then the huge monster in front of the house is the devil dog inside! Check out those glowing eyes.

You may need to double click the picture to enlarge.

Happy Halloween!

Here's a preview of King Finn. He seems to think the scepter is a combination wand/sword/bat. It grants wishes, turns people into other things and goes "bam" a lot.

Sawyer refused the multiple costume choices offered and instead channeled the terrible-twos. He is going as Senor Cranky Pants. No costume necessary.

Halloween Box 2011

Aunt Betty's box full of Halloween treats arrived last week. Oh boy, oh boy.

Finn sneaks a peek

Hey, what'd you get?

Aunt Betty was very sweet and sent two of everything. Thank you!

Serious business

No time to take off the plastic

Sawyer is ready to ship himself to Montana to visit Aunt Betty. Scout is glad to help out!

Sawyer Turns Two!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Can it be that Sawyer is 2 years old already? Yes and he is. And he knows it.

Me: Whose birthday is it today?

Sawyer: Me's!

When it's your birthday you get to decide if pants are optional. And today they were.

He really liked that candle. The candleholder looks just like him (and Finn).

Oh yeah. Kickin back with full tummies after a special birthday breakfast.

First Day of School

Guess who started Preschool today?

Finn was a bit of sleepy head today (rare!) so we were in a rush to get out the door (not so rare). But we made it in plenty of time. The teacher had started story time and Finn quickly found a spot in the circle and blended in like it was his 100th day. He was very excited about going to his new school and didn't seem the least bit scared or anxious. Wish I could say the same about his parents. I'm really proud of this little guy for being so adventurous and outgoing.

Not sure which was more exciting- the first day of preschool or his new lunch bag. Here he is showing off the contents to Jason and Sawyer.

04/04, Oh Four

Finnegan is Four today!

We celebrated with a huge party on Saturday. Finn invited everyone, even some of the mannequins at Nordstrom's. Seriously.* The weather was a little cooler than we would have liked but that certainly did not stop the kids from jumping in the bouncy house, painting their wooden cars, hanging on the play structure, digging in the sand box and generally having a fantastic time.

Here he is getting some help with the candles from his buddies Mikey and Jackson.

I was shocked to see so many of the kids sitting at the table at once.

I guess they will do anything for some cake.

And, of course, here is Sawyer hamming it up for the camera.

At the end of the party he hopped up on the kiddie tables and did his best cat walk. Seriously.

*Finn walked straight up to the kiddie mannequins in the boys department and said, "Hey, you guys want to come to my party?" This was in January.

Christmas Eve Eve Part 2

Since it is Christmas Eve Eve, Momma has come bearing gifts for everyone. Everyone, that is, that considers pictures of my family at Disneyland to be a gift.

These are out of order so bear with the various outfit changes.

Here we are on the Jungle Cruise. I think this was actually taken

our last day of Disneyland. That would be Day 3.

We actually spent the first night of our vacation in Santa Monica. Finn spotted the ferris wheel from probably a mile or two away and begged to go for a spin.

The boys on the Santa Monica Pier.

Finn mastering the bumper cars.

In line for the Jungle Cruise. I did warn you that these were out of order.

Getting ready to ride the Matterhorn.

On the raft to Tom Sawyer Island. Sawyer watching the boat

named after the man that gave him his name.

Sawyer on Tom Sawyer Island. That was actually a huge hit

with the boys. Can't remember going there before.

Waiting for the fireworks. The brightly lit up castle in the background.

Waiting in line for It's a Small World. The Christmas version.

It's a teacup party.

Toon Town

Waiting in line for the Alice in Wonderland ride.

Finn was beside himself that Alice was not actually included in the ride.

Isn't this how everyone feel after 3 days in Disneyland?

Christmas Eve Eve

I just realized that I had not posted to this blog since Thanksgiving. Is that possible? We have done so much since then- Disneyland, the Annual Tree Hunt, Decorating at various houses, Christmas parties, Christmas in the Park, and so on.

Here is a picture of Finn and Mickey at Disneyland.

We caught Mickey just as he was heading back to wherever he goes when his shift is over. Then Finn thought it would be fun to play hide and seek with Mickey. Oi. We nearly had a missing child on our hands.

Halloween Box

We know for sure that Halloween has arrived when we receive a special box in the mail from Aunt Betty. Aunt Betty (J's Grandma's sister) fills a box to the brim with treats and toys for us. She's been doing this since long before our boys came along. I like anyone who shares Halloween treats with adults and kids alike.

This year when the box arrived Finn said, 'That's from MY Aunt Betty. She is sooooo sweeet!"

The boys are beyond excited with the pumpkin flashlights. Not to mention all of the candy.

SharkFinn & DinoSawyer

Introducing Shark Finn and Dino Sawyer

Lock up your candy.

Trust me. That's a dinosaur costume. Although Finn said it

was a girl's dinosaur costume because girls wear purple. Sigh.

Finn has been telling everyone for weeks that he going

as a "friendly shark" for Halloween.

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

This year we decided to forego the Half Moon Bay traffic and try out a pumpkin farm closer to home. We visited the pumpkin patch at Spina Family Farms in South San Jose. They had a great selection of pumpkins, hay maze, hayride, train and also sorts of fun stuff for the kids. They also have a great farm stand and we enjoyed their fresh corn for dinner.

Finn in The Great Pumpkin

Sawyer and I on the hayride

Finn and J on the hayride

Finishing touches on the front porch