Ian's attachment

One of our Halloween decorations is a singing/dancing Frankenstein. He no longer dances and regularly loses his arms, but he still faithfully sings "Monster Mash" at the push of a button. Ian is SO attached to this plastic figure. I mean, how long has it been since I put away Halloween decorations?? I keep hiding "Mash" (as Ian has dubbed him) but Ian keeps wandering the house, crying and shouting, "MASH! MASH!" I guess they are buddies. This picture is right after Ian woke up from a nap. He saw Mash and grabbed him for a snuggle on the couch. I seriously want to throw this half broken thing away (I'm really sick of finding and reattaching the arms and of listening to the song) but how could I be that cruel?

Sinterklaas

I just have to proclaim that we love the Croxalls. They are amazing people, and one of the proofs of that is their Sinterklaas tradition, which we have enjoyed sharing with them for four years. It's a Dutch tradition in which we eat great Dutch food and prepare unusually wrapped presents and mocking poems for our fellow guests.

Here we are with the four gifts we brought (disguised/wrapped as certified mail, a lion, a ladybug, and a die). Here's Mr. Croxall, reading his poem out of a mock dissertation to another guest. Ian and monkey try to steal the show. Audrey and Gwen enjoying some Dutch treats.
Ian, blowing "bubbles" with a bubble wand and an empty drink cup. He's definitely got imagination!

All the kids with their Sinterklaas gifts to give one another. I have to say, this year was HILARIOUS. Some of the adult poems were so funny and a couple people got very creative with scavenger hunt themed poems. I was very proud of my poem yet again. I'd post it, but it wouldn't seem funny to those who don't know Nathan, the recipient. Thank you Croxalls for a hilarious, delicious, and memorable evening.

O Christmas tree

I love getting a live Christmas tree (although it can sure be a pain to get it fixed in the tree stand). The kids had a great time helping pick it out and decorate it. Also they have been driving me a little crazy by removing ornaments daily and breaking a few. Ian spent some time in a shaft of sunlight under the tree, enjoying the sun or the tree or both. Or could it be the blinds?

Happy Birthday Audrey!

Audrey recently turned FOUR! We had a very small and simple party for her, with the requested "leaf" cake. Not sure why she wanted a leaf cake or what exactly she had in mind, but this was the best I could come up with and she seemed satisfied (although not necessarily impressed). Audrey insisted on wearing her blue dress and loved running around with her friends and opening presents. However, she refuses to acknowledge that she is four and gets angry unless you say she's three. Whatever.

More Tallahassee photos

Here's the family picture we settled on after that miserable photo shoot. Well, it's real at least. Except for my smile. That is pretty much faked.

Spencer took these of Audrey. One from Aneilla's birthday party, one from the Eger's backyard. She has been very interested in finding climbable trees lately.

Expecting

In case you haven't heard, we are expecting our third baby in April. I had my 20 week ultrasound today and we found out we are having a boy! We loved seeing this little guy wiggle around on the screen and seeing his cute profile (which looks the same as Ian's ultrasound pic: either it's too early to have differences or we have another clone in the family). We are excited and look forward to meeting him when he comes. Now to pick a name...