christmas decorations!

yay! i was very excited to decorate our new house for christmas this year. so, we borrowed my dad's truck, and loaded both it and my van to the hilt full of ornaments, wreaths, 2 trees!, village pieces, and 3 tables to put the village on!
the 2 trees is a dream i've had for a long time. i love having a "fancy tree". one that has very beautiful ornaments all in one color scheme (this year is maroon, black, silver, and white). it is in the formal living room and until this year, was the only tree we would have.
which brings me to tree number 2. i also equally love what my mother calls an "eclectic tree". this is beautiful in a very different way- it's where all the ornament that the kids make in school and church, etc can hang and be proud of their sometimes funkiness. there are also some nice ornaments that were gifts, or that i got along the way, but didn't match the fancy tree. toby and i made the tree skirt out of a cheapo walmart felt tree skirt and some cut out gingerbread themed cupcake papers we cut out the bottoms. i bought some adorable jelly bean garland (plastic!) and hope to find a multi-color lighted tree when they go on sale the day after christmas. the one we used this year for the kid tree is seriously busted- about 8 limbs are gingerly resting on top of the branches below them because they have become unattached to the trunk, and one set of lights doesn't work, look closely at the picture to find it.
then there's the village. we love our village. it started with a gift someone sent me when matthew and i were first married. now, every year, we add 2-3 pieces. although for a couple years there were 8 bought! so, it's steadily growing, just like our family, and our marriage!
fancy, eh?

do you see the stripe of unlighted tree???

our village! fyi- all of it is from the st. nicholas square collection at kohl's.

thanksgiving

so, i love fall. and thanksgiving is one of my favorite things in fall. last year we all volunteered together, but i couldn't make it this year with the baby and all. we were planning to host our families for dinner, but couldn't in the end. i was disappointed, but we wanted to still have a great thanksgiving, and we did!

matthew and toby volunteered at the salvation army in the morning, while i stayed home with miller and cook for my family gathering.

the salvation army dining room
my turkey- the brine really works, the whole bird was super yummy and moist!

miller with nana and bumpa- my folks- cute old people, eh?
i love catching my mom in pictures- she's always very reluctant to have her picture taken, so it's great to capture such a fun one!

it can't be november!

that happened way too fast.....here are some pics from our fantastic fall festivities!

miller eats

miller plays

miller sleeps

repeat cycle perpetually......................................

by the way......(2)

we had our baby. miller dylan coates. 09-09-09. 7:31 am. 6 lbs 12 oz. 18". super beautiful, if i say so myself. take a look......

sweet daddy, proud big brother

precious boy!

first day of school!

july 27th- first day of school in chandler. i know, it's sooo early, but, it's too hot to play outside, so you might as well be in an air conditioned classroom and be done while it's still nice in may!

so, we got to set up some traditions. we measured toby against the wall in our kitchen- i think the first day of school each year will be a good benchmark for this. then, matthew took pictures of him outside our house- which will change in a few weeks, but, nonetheless.....

can't you just hear him thinking, "it's too bright out here, daddy!"

then, another picture outside his classroom.......

and sitting at his desk......

he's already done his usual "limit testing" of the rules, but hasn't done anything too bad. just normal kindergarten rules adjustment stuff (leaving the line, being too loud in the classroom, etc).

i'm so very proud of my sweet boy- and surprised how much energy he is still coming home with. he's very excited about school (especially the turtles in the aquarium in his room) and has already brought home some great papers he's done.

a couple things ironed

from the last post:

1. we have an approval! this means that the bank accepts our price and we have a real contract- and escrow can begin. hopefully all will go smoothly and we can close on (or before) august 24. then get the couple things changed and move before the end of august.

2. baby is now on 7 weeks away!

3. toby is now registered at tarwater elementary. mrs. lyle's class, room 4. and my sister is gonna help me do the school shopping tomorrow.

4. same sentiments as before....

5. still a little concerned about toby dealing with all the changes. and i know i will miss him like crazy for the first month of school- until my time gets wrapped up in baby. 6 hours is a long time without my sweet little boy!

i should be more stressed

so, i have been living my little life, knowing all of these things were happening. but recently realized that they will all be aligning in the most inopportune way.

1. still have no official word on our short sale offer. once that comes in, 30 days to close, then a few changes must be made, like a pool fence and countertops. which could take a week or two. then we'll move in. now looking like it'll be right when the baby comes....

2. baby is coming. soon. 8 weeks from tomorrow. 5 am. need somewhere to let toby sleep until he can come to the hospital around 8 (all the grandparents want to be at the hospital, so our usual options are out).

3. toby needs to start kindergarten. which school? see #1. when? on the 27th. how? i'll get to drive him to our (hopefully) new neighborhood every morning. with what? i have no idea- haven't bought a thing!

4. moving? in august/september? 9 months pregnant? what the heck?

5. inherent amounts of stress- new school, schedule, house, and baby? i hope we all survive, especially toby- that's a lot of stress for a 5 year old.