You know the drill

In order to be exact, to the point, quick and refreshing, I'll just give a glimpse into the Sanders holiday.

- Saw our favorite Santa (brought to you by the F.C. volunteer Fire Dep. ) riding on a decked out, music playing fire truck! We love this tradition.

- Hand out treats not only to neighbors, but to some of our best friends, the garbage men!

- Ate Cornish Game Hens, Spanish Rice, steamed veggies, toasted baguette and Old Fashion Chocolate Cake on Christmas Eve! (YUM!)

- Opened Christmas jammies (YAY GRANNIE. LOVE THEM!)

-Put reindeer food out for Rudolph (we forgot to put the cookies out! Sorry Santa!)

-Got eye infections, double ear infections, hand rashes, NO sleep (and still counting), hacking coughs, colds, throat issues.....

- then Christmas came, that next day.

-It has been a holiday to remember, and sorry to say, we are glad its over!!!

- and on one last note- Happy New YEAR!!!!

Mr. C turns 3!!!

In preparing for the holidays, the Sanders Children have done their fair share of cookie decorating (and eating....) and using these foam stickie thingies to make wonderful creations,

all for Santa.

Note what is in Lucys hand.

That would be one large Jalapeno pepper.

Charlie and Lucy do love those mini peppers, so when they happened on this beauty, they both took a LARGE bite.

I mean LARGE!!!

I was not in the room, and Charlie came roaming into the bathroom, (some what delusional, with green foam coming out of his mouth), I put on my detective hat, cloak and glasses, I knew instantly what had happened!

They chopped this beautiful grean beast!

I felt awful, but not awful enough not to take a picture!!

(yes, they got a little milk and treat to ease the burn!!)

Oh Charlie! Chars, Char Bar, Brother Bear, Mr. C, how we adore YOU!

This boy is so sweet! He is as tender hearted as they come, but slower then molasses!

Favorite things would include long potty encounters, looking for mice, (can I even say that), drinks of any kind (they are special occasion around here), obeying Lucys orders, asking anyone to do anything for him, knowing they'll do it....

This Sweet Joy turned 3 on the 15th!!

I remember when he was a baby! Boy do I ever!

I never thought I could ever love that little sole, but I have made up for (so has he) the crazy baby days of neglect.

Charlie, let it be said, I adore you! I love you! I love that you stroll into my room just after 7, let out about 15 sneezes, pace for a few minutes, then with a LARGE grin on your darling face say

'I have to go potty'. I love you my sweet boy!

Happy Birthday

He has been in love with Spiderman. I don't know what it is, and frankly, have no clue where he's gotten so much information about this super hero, but thank heavens Craigslist came through on the Spiderman side of things!

Heres Charlie, and Hank, in their new tunnel/tent (from G&G, thank you very much!!) showing his spidee off!

We had a little party with some of his friends.

Nothing more then a little food, crafts and fun, but its so cute to see your kids play with and enjoy other kids! It was so fun, and we are glad to have friends.

Wearing their Spiderman masks, going to hunt for their candy filled Spiderman buckets.

Miss Lucy, ready for Church in a pre-Christmas photo op.

This picture is so funny!

Its like those wedding pictures where the couple kisses, and everyone makes a funny face.

But this time, its Henry making the funny face, and us not looking...

(ok. so its nothing like those wedding pictures.)

S.A.N.T.A

Heres the deal.

Santa is in a big 'trailer' just off the White House lawn,

just down from the National Christmas Tree.

We went. We enjoyed, but after asking for 'a Zinko' (charlie) and a baby doll (lucy) they promptly asked 'but mamma, where is the real Santa?'

Wow! I have no idea where they learned that, or figured he had to have a hat, and whiter beard (and teeth) but as disappointed as they may have been, we still enjoyed the great trains that circle the Christmas Tree, and the eternally great weather.

We are so ready for Christmas, (not even half way ready) but hope to get there, and continue enjoying this magical time of year!!

Gird up yer loins!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Per our usual tradition, we dined at our neighbors casa.

There was plenty of food, plenty of noise, and plenty of people.

Plenty of all those things were enjoyed!!

For thanksgiving, I am grateful for (first time ever) we woke up the morning after, and my hubs had decided to be spontaneous!! (Y.E.S) We packed the car, threw in the kids, and headed up north to...

Yes, it says 'intercourse'. Intercourse, Pa. that is!

We jotted up the road to Pa to see Amish country (THRILLING) and Valley Forge.

We stayed in the most A.MAZING hotel!! a 2 bedroom SUITE. (That means 3 T.Vs!!) My children are limited with screen time, but on vacay, its no holds bar!! We all had our own T.V!! It was HEAVEN! My HGTV was not turned off for one min. oh, with one exception. We had a full kitchen!! It rocked! Full size fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher...and this is the feast i prepared! Yum!

Getting a tour of the local digs.

How many Sanders fit in a buggy? I tell you, 5 ! (good thing we're ok with 3 kiddos!)

Becoming educated on the history of Valley Forge.

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Washington

Got myself one fine fella!

On a BEAUTIFUL stroll to see the abandoned forts.

Can you believe the view? The weather was SPECTACULAR!!

Just a dream!!!

Contrary to what ya'll may thing, there are not so many bridges round these parts anymore.

According to a kind sister, she informed me they have nearly all been destroyed or burned down.

Lucy us, we were able to see a few!

The trip was a joy! I love my family! I love my husband, and am such a happier person when we are all together! I don't think he could possibly hate work as much as I hate him going to work!

We had a great time! Lots of relaxing, jammin to songs in the car, suckers, tv time, beautiful walks, delicious food...so enjoyable!

Our weather here as been crazy! the monday after we got back, we headed to see the lighting parade in Vienna. It was obviously warm enough for a light jacket, and shorts, December 1st!!!

(Mother nature sure does make up for the pesky bugs in summer time!)

The kids roasting marshmallows @ the lighting ceremony.

Finally, Christmas can officially come!

We made and decorated our cookies (and ate and ate and ate them!)

Please don't tell me I'm the only mother who feels crazy lying to my innocent children about Santa?

I find myself saying 'he's Magic' and 'Santa has to go to the potty just like us' and 'yes, Santa loves you to' and 'Santa can fly in the sky on a sled' I mean really? Who decided that deceiving our children and corrupting their beautiful minds with such nonsense would be good for them?

Oh my poor babies. I am a bad mother!!!

Love you sweeties!

Until I come up with a better solution, just eat more cookies.