'Tis the Season, pt. 1

We have decked the halls and donned our gayest apparel and fa la la la la'd all over the place.

We kicked things off in style in our beautiful neighbor to the north, Clarksville, at their Christmas on the Cumberland.

There were lots of Christmas lights formed into festive shapes like this gingerbread man . . .

and the traditional Christmas dragon.

The lights in Clarksville were nice, but the real festival of lights is Chanukah.

We did it up 21st century style and Skyped in Poppy, Nonny, and Uncle Jo for some candle lighting.

Of course Christmas time means Christmas parade time.

We grabbed a good spot on Broadway.



The parade started with a bang. You know, fireworks. Ha?

Ira and the lady behind us were pretty excited by the fireworks.

Don't worry, that's just a gingerbread man balloon in the parade not a giant mutant gingerbread man attacking downtown.

Ira told me the other day that Santa has three names: Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, and Mike.

After the parade we stopped by the giant Christmas tree downtown.

Ira's friend Sofia came by one afternoon and did some Christmas crafts with Ira.

Grandparents, don't look at this picture because this is what you're getting for Christmas.

What play date is complete without sugar cookies?

The kids did a pretty good job of decorating .

It snowed a little early this year. Look at our little angel.

The best part about snow days is hanging out inside by the fire with some hot cocoa.

You can't really tell but Ira's in a blanket and chair fort here.

And no Christmas would be complete without a trip to visit the Bass Pro Shop Santa Claus.

Halloween and Thanksgiving (a little bit late)

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than a look at our Halloween and Thanksgiving pictures?

Ira was a very cute little cloud for Halloween.

At his school party, the kids painted pumpkins.

Look at this little cloud!

And here's the woman who made it happen.

And the man who made the hat.

This is Ira's scary face.

The most important part of Halloween, of course.

We made a special trick or treating stop at Kyle and Jason's house. Jason and Lucy Jane answered the door to the world's most adorable cloud.

What a haul!

Thanksgiving in our house is pants optional. Guess who opted for pants-free.

Here's our beautiful, meat-free Thanksgiving dinner.

And our beautiful center piece, made by my favorite artist, Ira

After dinner we went to the newly opened Opryland Hotel to check out the Christmas lights.

Opryland is one of my most favorite places in Nashville.

Everything was beautiful.

Ira spent at least three dollars in the wishing fountain.

Belated Birthday and a Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Poppy and Nonny came to town a few weeks ago for a little belated birthday fun.


Ira was more than willing to rip the wrapping paper off of a few more presents.





Ira got the harmonica and tambourine we needed to complete our family band.


It's amazing to find something that combines a passion for robots and a passion for dinosaurs so completely.


Oddly enough, the gold teeth really compliment Kirsten's eyes.


At the Germantown Street Festival/Oktoberfest, Ira fed Poppy some of his blue flavored Italian Ice.


And of course, Nonny wanted some, too.


A few seconds after this picture was taken, Kirsten got confused and threw Ira and then hugged the football.



Seriously, this is one of three pony rides that Ira's been on this month.


Ira, Poppy, and Nonny in Germantown.


A little pre-Halloween witching.


This is our third year at the Gentry's Farm pumpkin patch. Ira really, genuinely loves pumpkins. We would have a few dozen all over our house if he had his way.




In one of the barns they have a cool little corn maze and play area set up.







I am a little jealous that I didn't get to go play with the dried corn and wheat.





Ira is very proud of himself for trying the tire swing.





Ira loaded the wheelbarrow with pumpkins.


It was hard work.