ZooLights

I have always wanted to check out ZooLights at the National Zoo but the past two years weekends just fill up or was too cold to go. This year I was determined to go and said weeks ago if there was a nice night that we would head up. Well obviously with the weather at 70 degrees today I decided tonight would be the night. The boys and honestly me too were quite excited.

It was spectacular! The lights were everywhere and some very cool ones that the boys loved seeing. Then we also got to see tons of animals; something I was not expecting. Along with dinner, a train ride and running around the zoo in the dark with beautiful holiday lights bright every where; the family outing was fabulous. I was surprised that Owen walk or rather ran the whole thing until the uphill back to the car. We brought the wagon and it worked perfectly for Aiden (and Owen at the end) to take a ride and also pop out quickly to run around.

If you would like to view the slideshow larger just click on it.

Letters to Santa

The boys wrote their letters to Santa today. They really enjoyed coloring a picture for the jolly ole man and the lists were very simple and cute.

Aiden's picture which includes a snowman that he drew and added stickers all by himself.

Owen drew a map with stairs to his his bed and Aiden's bed with a nice decorative border.

Family Hike

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous out the past couple days and we have been really enjoying the outside time without bundling up. The boys decided they wanted to come on the hike with me and the dogs this morning. I enjoy going alone but it often gets very lonely after awhile and really was excited to have company with me this morning. We all enjoyed the hike and the beautiful outdoors. We gave Owen the camera to take some pictures, and all are by him unless he is in them.

At the beginning some people over time have built a stick fence

Stick Entrance

Crooked Tree

Aiden looking at something

Trees

Chester

The boys liked all the carvings on the trees.

Mommy

The family

Aiden would ride in the backpack and then would walk, back and forth he'd go.

Aiden running after the dogs

While walking Owen immediately stopped to check out some moss and saw a centipede

The Centipede

Chester and Callie running in the woods

Aiden Running

Furry Siblings

Owen taking another break to search the woods

Owen Hiking Down the Hill
Sunny Trees
Owen Hiking

The Creek

Trying to Find Something in the Water

Boys in the Creek

Cowboy Owen

Owen received some hand-me-down cowboy boots and I was surprised how excited he was. He put them on and then wanted to get on the dress-up cowboy items. He was so cute. Then Aiden wanted to be a spooky mummy and Owen didn't want us to take pictures until Aiden was with him. I have to note that he wore them to the grocery store this morning as well.

Cowboy Owen and Mummy Aiden

Cowboy Smiles

On his own he started to stand in a cowboy way.

Christmas Decorating

Owen could not wait to decorate for Christmas. He knew that after Thanksgiving we could, and let me tell you on Friday he was ready and we did decorate outside, but I was hosting my family's Thanksgiving that day so wanted to wait on the inside. On Saturday Omer and I went to the Tech game so I told Owen if he was good that we could on Sunday. The report was excellent and so right after they woke up, downstairs it was to decorate.

Owen and Aiden enjoy it as much as I do. So with them choosing to wear their Christmas sweaters, playing holiday music and decorating away; we had a great time.

This one was taken by Owen

Happy Thanksgiving

Our family had a wonderful Thanksgiving, enjoyed by some quality family time playing, hiking and cooking. We headed to Omer's parents house for dinner and while Owen was in his room for rest time he decided all on his own to change into "fancy" clothes for dinner. It was so sweet because he really doesn't like even wearing a shirt with buttons or for that matter pants with a button. So then it was requested that we all dress nice.

The boys had a wonderful time seeing their family and Owen wanted to be helpful and put napkins on the table, set out glasses and filled them with water. Aiden enjoyed eating salad and feta cheese; true Aiden style.

Then the next day I hosted my family and the boys had a blast playing with their cousins and seeing family they don't see too often. No surprise that Owen barely ate Thanksgiving meal and Aiden devoured greens, meat and pumpkin pie.

At school Owen made a Native American hat with what he was thankful for, and he wrote: His Mom, His Brother and His Dad. Very sweet and this whole family is thankful for each other. Happy Thanksgiving.

Planets and Spaceships

Owen took his space puzzle to his room during rest time today, and when he was done he came out in his space PJs, puzzle finished and a master plan. We gathered the supplies and drew, colored, cut and hung all the planets and the sun. Owen really wanted to match the colors and sizes from his space puzzle and then hang them from the planet sticker on his ceiling. I truly love how Owen sets a plan and sticks with it.

Once we were finished it was time to wake Aiden. While cuddling on the bed and Owen explaining to Aiden about all the planets he asked for me to lay down the blue blankets to make space. Well Aiden still needed some snuggles so he said Owen could. So Aiden laid on Owen's legs and got snuggles while I created space. Then the boys played spaceships and astronauts in Owen's new solar system. It was a wonderful project and so much fun.