Getting ready...

ben and jack at the park this weekend
Seth went back to work this week after a great visit...we got alot done, including Christmas tree decorations and wrapping presents. We even managed to pack a few boxes, although I have miles to go on that front! I feel like I am constantly getting ready for the next big thing - Ben's birthday party, Christmas, moving, new baby, etc...Hopefully once we get to New Orleans and get settled, we can just relax (and enjoy our new family!!).
We are still waiting to hear on the house...this process is playing out in slow mo! I am going to look at a rental tomorrow (just in case) when Ben and I visit NO. We are going with my friend's little girl, Ella, who has an appoinment at Children's Hospital on Thursday for an ASD that was found during her 3 year well baby check-up. Please keep Ella in your prayers this week.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

This weekend we took a trip to a Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree...
Benjamin was soo excited, running up and down the rows of trees. We told him he could pick the tree he wanted (I know, we weren't really thinking that one through). He pointed to EVERY tree saying, "that one, that one!"...Needless to say, we had to convince him that "This One!" is the one he wanted...
Riding on Daddy's shoulders
Standing in front of our Christmas tree!!
On the drive to the farm, we asked Ben what kind of tree he wanted...a tall, skinny one or a short, fat one...he wasn't sure. After he (we) picked our tree, I asked him what kind of tree it was...he said (guessed?) correctly and said, "tall, skinny tree"....smart boy!


After we picked our tree, we (even Gracie got to come)took a ride on the horse and carriage...which Benjamin loved.
Carriage ride!!
Petting our horse, Blue
Then we fed the goats, who were apparently very hungry...
Feeding the goats with Daddy and Gracie
After we got home, we decorated the Christmas tree together...this is the first Christmas we have done this since Ben was born...and it was so neat to see how excited he was! Every ball and ornament was a big deal...we had an assembly line going - I would unwrap the ornament, Ben would bring it to Daddy, and Daddy would put it on the tree.
Benjamin showing me the ball for the tree
helping Daddy decorate the top of the tree
After we finished decorating the tree and wrapping Christmas presents, Daddy and Benjamin found a way to entertain themselves....BOYS!!

Playing with the empty wrapping paper rolls...sword fighting!!

Thanksgiving

Benjamin's Nana came to visit the week before Thanksgiving so that I could go to NEW YORK with my friend, Leigh Erin!! The Big Apple was beautiful....chilly (but not freezing) ans bustling with people preparing for the holidays. My main goal in NYC was to see Broadway shows..which we accomplished!! Chicago and West Side Story were both wonderful (WSS was my fav!)...and TKTS lets pregnant women go to the head of the line (which was such a big deal since the line was usually 2-3 hours long!). We shopped, ate and walked tons...and after 4 days I was ready to get home to see my sweet baby boy!!! The next day Seth came home from Grand Isle and our family was back together in time for Thanksgiving...We had coffee that morning with my mom, Emily and J, and Owen and Virginia at Jason's Mom's house - the kids had a blast playing together - cousins are so much fun!! Then after a yummy lunch at Seth's family's house, we got Benjamin home for a nap. After naptime, we went back to the Comeaux's to watch the Saints play (Who Dat!). Ben laughed and jumped and spun and chased his cousins around and around...then they all sat down with popcorn to watch Veggie Tales and it was quiet for about 20 minutes...aahhh! What a great Thanksgiving!!! We are very, very blessed!

Big Red Car

Lately Benjamin and I have been taking walks around our block with his big red car...he refuses to ride; he wants to push (which is scary b/c he is faster than me now that I am so big!). We have been learning street safety - stop when a car is coming and at every intersection, look both ways before you cross the street, slow down when the sidewalk drop-off is steep, etc... Today I wanted to just catch a cute clip for Seth, since I LOVE that turtle hat he is wearing and Seth has not seen just how fast my sweet little baby can go.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Benjamin and I had a great weekend...Friday night I got a babysitter and went for a birthday dinner with some friends at Kyoto (yummy!!). Thanks for all the birthday wishes - I had a great week!! My mom, Benjamin and I hung out on Saturday with Owen and Virginia (watching the Tigers win!) - Benjamin and I went to Mass this morning, (made it through the ENTIRE Mass without having to go to the cry room!!! My baby is growing up!) and we had a great time walking around the neighborhood with his red car this afternoon. I know I am totally prejudiced, but Benjamin has gotta be the cutest kid in town!

Trick - or - Treat

Happy Halloween! We had such a nice time trick or treating with our friends, Ella the Apple and Matthew the Puppy Dog in Holly Hill this year. We put all three kids in a wagon and pulled them all over. At first Benjamin was a little shy about actually walking up to a stranger...but as soon as he figured out that they put candy in his pumpkin, he was a seasoned pro! He told anyone who would listen, "Trick or Treat!" He even went trick or treating in his poor little friends' buckets (sounds like his mommy!)!

my little giraffe
Tanya, Ella and Matthew
Benjamin and his friends ready to go
sweet little brown nose!!
Matthew

Elmo LIVE

This past Friday night Seth brought Benjamin to Sesame Street Live to see Elmo (the only character that he knows)...we had three tickets, but with my "pox" I wasn't about to venture into an area full of kids...even though I was not contagious anymore at this point. Anyway, Seth said Benjamin had a great time!! He sat and stared with a look of awe the entire show!!! Here are some shots Seth took with his phone that night.