Yuck

The snow has come.

Collin actually thinks it's quite wonderful. His momma would have to disagree. I don't know whats gotten into me this year (not that I've loved it in years past) but I've been a real grinch about winter's arrival. Maybe it's because this time around I have an active little boy that just wants to be outside and doesn't understand why I keep telling him no. I've almost gotten his snow apparel in order (bib, hat, gloves, jacket) just missing the snow boots. Argueably the most important part. When I let him walk from the garage to the back door, he can't help but find amusement in the ice and white powder that covers our driveway and backyard. It would be cute if I wasn't freezing my patootie off. Buffalo got hit with a pretty bad storm this week, but our humble abode was spared the worst and didn't suffer any power outages or the like. Actually, I had to admit that our neighborhood turned into a veritable winter wonderland... just like on the movies. It was pretty breathtaking. And then I read a friend's email about her boys playing in the sprinklers in their yard in Florida and I groaned in envy. I just hate cold weather. I just do.

 On that note, I have just about a week left until the great bird in the sky transports Collin and I to {home} and desert wonderfulness.

 Trav is usually a big stickler about not starting the Christmas decorating or music until after Thanksgiving. He really puts his metaphorical foot down. And I would totally understand if I wasn't missing out on 2 weeks of seeing my own decorations. Well, about a week before Thanksgiving he told me he had been thinking about it and didn't mind if I put up the Christmas decor early this year. And for some reason he was surprised when he got home from school that day and the house had been transformed. Like I was going to waste any time! I did hold off on the tree, however, so we could decorate it together. Isn't it a sad little thing? Fit perfectly in our shoe box-apartment, but not so much here. That's ok, I actually like it a lot. I like the homemade ornaments. Matchy- matchy trees are gorgeous, but they remind me of what I am not... perfectly put together and sparkly and well... perfect. I will probably never own one, but like to admire my sister's and friend's.

 Even our star is ghetto, but hey, it works.

(I just realized that in these pictures, the tree looks big.... it's on a table. It's about 3 feet tall. Don't be deceived)

And I'll grudgingly admit that Travis was right... about decorating early anyway... it jumpstarted my longing for Christmas too soon. I'm beyond giddy about it. I even printed a special calendar just to document all the festivites... and what I'll be baking for them. Last night was the first... our ward party. It didn't really go down as expected since Collin wasn't feeling well. He came down with a fever Thursday afternoon and all I can really attribute it to is the nasty McDonald's playplace. We went there for ward playgroup on Wednesday afternoon and even though we santitized... you can't feel good about letting your child run amuk in a place that smells of feet. He really didn't have any other symptoms besides general crankiness, so I just gave him Tylenol and we watched lots of Curious George on Friday. He also fell asleep on my chest which is unheard of. Well, he woke up at 6:15 this morning and had fallen apart by 9:30am, so we took him into our room to see if he would repeat Friday, and sure enough he conked out on Travis's chest. So we took a family nap until 1pm! I think he needed the rest (who am I kidding... I needed the rest!) and has thankfully perked up much more since then. Having a sick kid over holiday festivities is no bueno. But as sad as it's been seeing him sick, I'm soaking up all the snuggle time. I just love how he rests his head on my shoulder, then wedges his arms between our bodies.

And just because I've been meaning to get a shot of this for a while now... here is Collin's ear as we'll frequently find it.... pushed out. It must not bother him, because he'll go forever with it like this. A bit strange.

 And again... random, but this pic was still on my camera when I downloaded the latest pictures. We recently tried a new {local} restaurant called The Pizza Plant. I guess they're known for their "pods" or calzones. We waited 45 min., but it was pretty good. I just don't think I'd wait that long again. But I really don't know if there is anything better than going out to eat. It's a big weakness that Trav and I share. It makes me nervous for the time that we'll actually have the money to do it more often. I mean, it doesn't get any better than having someone else make your food, serve it to you and then clean it up! Whoever invented eating out was a genius.