November til Now

 November was a busy month.  So many things happening.

 Simon, our Elf on the Shelf showed up.  Carter is obsessed with him.  The first day he arrived Carter came screeching into our room first thing that morning and yelled "I have the best news!  Simon is finally here!"  Carter is very good about not touching the magic elf but kept waving his Christmas List in front of him so he'd be sure to tell Santa everything on his list.

The second day Simon brought matching Pajamas for the boys.  Carter is really taking this Elf thing seriously this year.  He is quick to do nice things for us and then asks "Did Simon see me do that?!"  He does not however, ask that when he's done something not so nice.  I guess he figures Simon misses those things!
 
Early November brought a new house for our family.  We packed and moved 7 miles up the road to Smithfield!  And we love it up here.  The best part of the move is the beautiful views we have of the valley.
                                       

                                         Sunsets are the best.
With the colder weather, we've been spending more time inside.  Jackson and Carter already know how to make each other mad............

 Jackson dancing on Carter's game of Candy Land.  Made Carter so mad!  I don't know why he loved to do this but he loved it!  (Pants are overrated!)

 Carter playing with his Monster Trucks.  He's been obsessed with them since he went to the Derby in September with Neil.  I believe this trucks name is Bone Crusher.  He often asks me if we can't put Jackson in crib or high chair so he can play in peace.  He even nicknamed Jackson "The Beast."  And it's kind of stuck.  And a little fitting.

When the boys aren't fighting over toys they play kind of nicely together.  Carter loves to hide on the stairs and jump up and scare Jackson.  The problem is that Carter doesn't know how to play a little softer with Jax.  But we're working on it.

Carter kept begging to set up our Christmas decorations and after just moving and spending days unpacking, the last thing I wanted to do was set up decorations but I couldn't be a scrooge forever.  He was a great helper and has rearranged the tree for me several times!  Who knew that all the ornaments clumped together, about 3 feet high could look so good?!

                                    
He was very particular on what stocking holder each person got and insisted on hanging each one.  Christmas is so fun with a little boy who is so excited.  Even though Santa isn't going to bring him a train with a remote control.  How many trains can one house hold?

 Jackson is obsessed with books.  He is great to read to himself but really enjoys being read to.  Books was one of his first words.

 He will let anyone read a book to him and soon to be Uncle George got the pleasure of reading to him one night.

                                       
 The boys love being outside and never feel how cold it is.  We like to go on family walks to the mailbox at the end of the subdivision at night.

My little Eskimo   He would prefer to walk the entire way to the mailbox instead of riding in his stroller.  He could walk forever and never get tired.  Walk was another of his first words and one of his most frequently used words.  He doesn't like being contained or being held for very long.  Grocery shopping is more like a wrestling match which ends in screaming.  I sure hope he learns how to cry someday instead of just only screaming!

 Carter was/is excited with each snowfall to be able to do some shoveling.  This is not a chore to him, it is play.  I really wish he could shovel the driveway for us!  He came in this afternoon and told me "Don't worry mom, I saved some for dad."  He assumes that Neil thinks shoveling is a treat just like he does:)

Monday we invited the cousins and Grandma over for some Christmas tree decorating and sugar cookie decorating.  There was a lot of sugar consumed this evening and sprinkles everywhere!  I attempted a new VEGAN sugar cookie recipe and it was delicious!  Couldn't even tell a difference.  Sometimes I am really proud of my vegan cooking....

Carter with his Christmas Tree.

Carter actually quit eating this night on his own accord.  Rich frosting can even be enough for Carter I guess. Can't wait for Christmas.  Carter and I plan to make Santa our new sugar cookies and I am guessing he will eat the entire plate!
(Side note: this blue shirt Carter is wearing was a gift from his Grandma and it has a big monster truck on it.  He loves it and wants to wear it each day.  He even decided to name this shirt.  The name he chose is "I will crush you shirt."  The bad part is that Grandma got the wrong size and it is borderline too small.  I guess we can make it a lounge around the house shirt because I doubt he will ever let me get rid of it!)