Merry Christmas Eve!

The child is nestled all snug in his bed....... Jeff and I just finished playing Santa and can't wait to see Max's reaction in the morning. It is SO much fun being Santa! Here are a few pictures of some of our Christmas Eve traditions....

Our Advent calendar.

Max loved doing this every morning. He especially loved the camels.

Getting ready to decorate sugar cookies.

Max had just woken up from his nap and he was still holding his blankie.

It's so hard not to lick your fingers....

Of course, I had to let him eat the one and only cookie he decorated.

Notice the pinky. He's so refined.

It's a tradition in the Drake family to make one "toxic waste" cookie with all of the sprinkles.

This one's for you, Michael.

Putting cookies and milk by the fireplace for Santa before tucking in for the night.

Reading before bed.

" Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Baby, it's cold outside!

Brrr! We were hit with a blast of frigid wind and snow yesterday. With wind chills below zero this morning, I was hesitant to let Max play outside, but he was literally crying at the window to get out in the snow. He surprised me by happily putting on mittens and a hat (and leaving them on!). And the added bonus was that he looked at the camera and said, "cheese!" when I took his picture. If only he was always this agreeable......

This was my attempt at building Max a snowman with the very little, very powdery snow that we had. He doesn't look too impressed, does he? Cold cheeks!

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken a few weeks ago on an old horse farm in Franklin. Many thanks to my friend Michelle for taking these great photos. She totally captured Max's personality and his love of adventure. Here are a few of my favorites....

Love Max's face in this one!

Max looking at the camera? smiling? cuddling me? It's a keeper!

He climbed through this fence dozens of times. He was so proud of himself!

I love this picture! When Max looks at it he says, "Max got stuck!"

Except it sounds more like, "Max dot ducks!"

So ornery!

Playing with rocks.

He loved counting all of the horse stalls.

Little boy legs

We always look like this....

Happy Halloween! Ribbit, Ribbit!

Max was a frog for Halloween this year and surprised us all by leaving on his costume for the entire evening. We had a fun get together at a neighbor's house before trick or treating began. Max didn't quite understand trick or treat, but he liked seeing all the decorations and kids in costume.

Heading out for a fun night.

Ditching the wagon for a faster mode of transportation. Froggy and Ladybug. This is the best picture I could get of these two! They were having too

much fun to slow down for a picture. Max walking like an Egyptian.

No, I don't know why.

Trick or Treat!

Tired froggy.

Max and I carved a jack o lantern a few days before Halloween. Here are a few pictures:

Checking out the inside of the pumpkin.

Moving in for a more thorough inspection.

"Oh!!"

"Doodness sake!"

(Max's new favorite expression)

"Hmmm"

Happy Halloween!

Fall Fun

Max and I spent the morning at Gentry Farm with friends from our neighborhood. We had a lot of rain last night so the farm was pretty muddy, but that didn't slow down Max. I put him in his snow boots from last winter and he wasn't quite used to walking, ahem, running in them, so there was lots and lots of tripping. All in all it was a very fun adventure. Here are a few of the highlights:

Off and running!

Farmer Max

Saying hi to the goats.

Last Friday a fire engine stopped by our Stroller Strides class and Max had a blast exploring every inch of that truck.

An Afternoon at Arrington

My parents were in town this week and we took advantage of a gorgeous fall afternoon by picnicking at Arrington Vineyards.

Playing among the grapevines.

Taking a rare water break with Pa. What is better than playing with sticks? Playing with two enormous sticks.