Thanksgiving Recap 2013

How lucky were we that the majority of the Halvorson clan came our way for Thanksgiving this year?! For anyone who travels with toddlers, you realize this is the equivalent of presenting 12 bars of gold (one bar for each hour of travel, in case you were wondering how I calculated that). We had so much fun and it is outrageously heartwarming to see the boys get a chance to spend time with family. Landon picked right up ("Oh, hello.") and Anders... well, was Anders. The exception being snuggle time in Grandma's arms when sleepy and a peculiar obsession with Uncle Charlie. 

Here are some grainy iPhone pics!!!!

Charlie, Ingrid and Erik hike Oyster Dome.

From the top of Mt. Erie. Sunny days greeted our guests upon their arrival.

Landon forces everyone to wear his turkey hats. They debuted at fashion week in case you missed it.

The obsession with Uncle Charlie begins.

 

 

Obligatory trip to Deception Pass. Grandma was hanging out with a slumbering Anders in the car.

Aunt Schming getting some cuddle time on the trails!

Grandma comes prepared with gloves to help prep the turkey.

Preparing to carve "Theresa the Turkey."

The obsession continues.

Picking out our Christmas tree and trying to teach Landon how to wink and give a thumbs up. Almost.

Before the weather went to poop.

Throwing some rocks. You know how we roll.

The Christmas Card Chaos

After taking about 362 different shots across different weeks in different scenarios, it was becoming clear that the perfect photo for the perfect holiday card was eluding my grasp for yet another year. Of course I wanted an outdoor shot in the woods with their manly flannel shirts in the perfect light gray day that lends itself so well to photos. I was close - oh so close - and yet couldn't quite get a grin from both of them at the same time. 

Thankfully Erik coaxed me back into reality and suggested we get a photo of them in front of the Christmas tree. Inside. Room temperature. Confined space. "But we will have to use a flash!" I whined. And without really saying it, he inferred to get over it. And he was right. This time. 

Here are some outtakes. As for the final winner? Check your mailbox next week.

Loved it! But how did brother dart out of the frame so quickly? Plus A's invisible white hair is a little too invisible in this shot.

Anders just needs to turn the corners of his mouth up just a little bit more. And does anyone know if they sell Just for Men for baby hair? Just for Babies, perhaps?

Flash recoil.

Flash recoil. Again.

Brotherly Love

I think Anders has Landon riiiiight where he wants him.

Portraits Gone Awry

I tried to take Christmas card pictures this morning. Tried being the operative word there.

True.

Quotes

[Scene: Snuggle session on couch.]

Mom: "I love you so much. You're my sweetie pie."

Landon: "Mommy, you're my cookie."

~~~~~~~

Please consider this entry the inaugural post amongst the new category "Quotes." Now that Landon is starting to use some more pragmatic and spontaneous language, the jewels will start coming! I will post the sweet and the ridiculously absurd as they stand out.

My Mom Dressed Me

Nothing like some northwest gear with a hint of pajamas.

Goin' on an Owl Hunt

I was able to grab some pics with my actual camera camera when we were outside in the afternoon observing a beautiful (and kinda' creepy) owl in our backyard. Have you ever seen one rotate its head almost 360 degrees? That is what makes it super creepy. I think this is the same feathered friend that hoots loudly around 2am in the woods behind our house. I remember one night Erik turned to me in dazed slumber and asked if one of the boys was awake; I laughed and assured him that they were fine and - for future reference - our children do not "hoot" when requiring assistance. The poor lucky guy can't hear a baby screaming in the middle of the night but apparently a natural "hoot hoot" will rouse him from the zzz's. If that's not selective hearing, well then I don't know what is.

"I don't think I trust you, bird."

True.

Lazy Sunday

When there is nothing else to do you may as well just throw some rocks.