Advent

For the Nosey Parkers out there inquiring minds who like to know, here is what my secret Santa has brought so far:

On Dec 1: Reindeer socks!

Dec 2: PEZ dispenser

Dec 3: My favorite chocolates (had to Google this for an image as the actual package seems to have gone missing... I think maybe a big boy ate them and ran away?)

Dec 4: I'm thinking this is more of a present for Rowan?  Unless Rodney thinks I am prone to sticking things in electrical outlets.

Stay tuned for more exciting gift reveals!!!

'Tis the Season

Rodney has been grumbling that I'm like the grinch this year.  I love Christmas just as much as the next gal but when the shops start playing Christmas music before it's even Thanksgiving?  Like, not even the end of November?  Come on.  It makes me all grinchy.  However, now that it's December?  Well, NOW Christmas and I are best buds again.  The Nelsons had a whole weekend of Yuletide merriment. 

It started on Saturday morning when I woke up to this:

 A sneaky little Santa had set up an advent calendar of pressies! 

Later on Saturday we went to a Christmas tree farm right here in Cheshire after Rodney had read an article about this local business that's been around for decades (who knew?)

First there was the obligatory photo with the creepy fiberglass snowman.

After lots of wandering around, we found our tree (I think Rowan doing a big shiver helped speed along the decision)

Luckily there was a big, strong man nearby to cut this beauty down for us.  :)

Quite pleased with his wee self

On Saturday night I decorated the tree inside and put lights on some trees outside while Rodney worked on another festive project:  finishing the bloody kitchen!  (photos of both of these things to follow... at some point).

On Sunday we went to the town green for the Cheshire tree lighting ceremony.  Santa even showed up on a fire engine.  We were hoping he'd zipline in from the church steeple but no such luck.  There was caroling, complete with that one dingleberry who always has to sing louder than everyone else, trying to harmonize and warbling with the longer notes.  (No, it wasn't me)  There was hot chocolate and cookies and LOTS of kids. 

So the house is now looking very Christmassy.  The kitchen project is back on track.  Now we just need to finish our Christmas shopping and we'll be all set.  And by "finish our Christmas shopping" I really mean START our Christmas shopping.  D'oh! 

Time for Puffs

Vroom vroom

I think Rowan might be the next Fernando Alonso or Jenson Button, judging by how much he liked this F1 car in the North Shore Mall. He checked the steering but he thinks there must be a broken tie rod or something, because the wheels weren't moving. He'll have the pit crew check it out. Formula 1 returns to the US next week with the opening of the brand new "Circuit of the Americas" in Austin. Ok Rowan, if you insist, we can spend next weekend watching the Formula 1 racing.

 

 

Too many leaves

It was getting to the point where we could barely see the lawn because of all the leaves that have fallen over recent weeks. So, last weekend was consumed with the massive task of clearing all the leaves from the yard. Jen spent quite some time wandering around with the leaf blower, gathering them into large piles, after which Rowan helped out with raking them onto a tarp and dragging them into the woods. Hopefully we're done for another year.