Pete-y is here!

Pete-y, our elf (Elf on the Shelf), flew in last night from the North Pole and landed in a vase on our mantel. We couldn't believe it--it's been almost a year since we've seen him, but he looks just the same! If you've never heard of Elf on the Shelf, it is a Christmas tradition for children and families. Basically, Santa sent us an elf back in 2009. We named him Pete-y (but we are never allowed to touch him). He arrives every morning in a different place in our house (starting a few weeks before Christmas). He watches what we do all day, and then he reports back to Santa at night. It's fun to find him every morning--where will he show up next? The chandelier? The top of the Christmas tree? We never know where we'll find him!

Pete-y was in the vase on our mantel this morning, but no one noticed, and we were half-way through breakfast before Jack screamed out, "Pete-y! Pete-y's here!" I started cracking up because I had totally fogotten that I put him out....ummm, I mean that Santa told me Pete-y would be here:)

Pete-y, the elf. Santa's helper/mom's bargaining tool

Jack: Mom, will you read me one more book?

Me: No, we've read all the books we're going to read tonight. It's bedtime.

Jack: NO! I want to read one more.

Me: Jack, really? Do you want to disobey Momma on Pete-y's first night here? What do you think he's going to tell Santa when he heads back to the North Pole tonight?

>>>Jack climbs into bed and when I ask him what we should pray for tonight, he says, "Pete-y."

The Santa Chronicles

Well, it's that time of year...Santa has come to town! We visited Santa on Friday, so I thought I'd do a retrospective pictorial of the Wilcox boys and Santa Claus. Enjoy!

2006

Jack's 1st Christmas (9 mos. old)

2007
Jack's 2nd run-in with Santa (21 mos.)

2008

Sam's first Christmas (9 mos. old)

2008

Jack's 3rd Christmas (33 mos. old)

2009

I knew this was going to happen, but I thought it might be okay if Jack were with him...nope!

(Sam 21 mos., Jack almost 4)

2010

I'm cautiously going to predict that we will be tear-free from here on out:)

Thanksgiving 2010

We were so blessed to have Mom, Branko, Randy, Stacey, and Isaac with us for Thanksgiving. Despite just getting over a stomach bug, we managed to get it all together for a great dinner. Unfortunately, within a few days, we realized that we infected six of our guests. Wonder how many will show up next year?

Sam and I work on decorating gingerbread cookies

I may have tasted the decorations:)

May the force be with you!

A man's horse must eat, too!

Yummmy!

Load 'em up!

Grandma and Grampo prepare to eat the big feast!

Dig in!

Randy, the first of the fallen:(

Stacey and Isaac enjoy a pre-dinner snack

Kids' table (we had the Geriatrics' table, which held grandparents and the parents' table, too!)

Halloween Chili Dinner and Bonfire

I think this was our 2nd annual Halloween Chili dinner and Bonfire. The weather was much better this year--a perfect Halloween! We set up on the Lilly's driveway while the kids went trick-or-treating, and by the time they got back it was dark, and the bonfire was roaring.

Ava, as Little Bo-Peep

Let's get organized. Let's see, we've got Brady, the fireman (Sam's costume from last year, Noah's from the year before! We're a very green cul-de-sac:), Sam, Buzz "Year," Jack as Jengo Fett, Katherine as Rapunzel, Noah as Buzz Lightyear, and Ava as Bo-Peep.

Joining the party is Austin, the firedog

And, here's Tristan, the firefighter (Jack's costume last year)

On Neighbor, Beth's porch

Trick-or-treating in the 'hood!

We may have overwhelmed a few homeowners with our rush to get goodies:)

Let's keep going, Dad! They're giving me free candy!

Hi, Dad!

Rapunzel, your hair is gorgeous!

Woody and Jessie (AKA Shannon & Ashley)

This loot is getting heavy!

Down from the sugar high...

Rick has borrowed Katherine's hair:)

What a handsome firefighter!

Stacy warms up by the fire

There's my manly man!

Eric, you are one tall dude!

Pumpkin Carving Party 2010

Now, that's some pizza!

Yum! Pizza, green beans, and fruit

Owen gets in on the action!

The Lilly family hard at work

Ewww! pumpkin guts!

Stacy and Katherine hard at work

How did I get roped into this?

Rick shows the kids how he lit The Cat in the Hat pumpkin

We did it!

Where: Our Garage

When: Halloween Weekend

Who: The cul-de-sac kids & families

What: Pizza and pumpkins!

Ava with her Ariel pumpkin

Katherine with her Ariel pumpkin

Shannon & Noah with Yoda

I made a cool Star Wars carving!

Nicely displayed on the front porch