Walking in a Winter Wonderland....

I think yesterday may have been the most perfect day ever for getting a Christmas tree :)


It was calm and not too cold, and the fluffy snowflakes fell quietly and beautifully all around the Christmas tree farm... as we rode the hay wagon, hunted for a tree, tossed snowballs, and even got in a few good sledding runs.

It was gorgeous.

And all the boys were very happy and good... which always makes everything better.♥

 

 Our Christmas Tree-Hunting Group!

 Off we go!

 ♥       ♥        ♥

 Goofballs

 Two of my favorites♥

 Up and away!

 Both of the fun daddies.. hustlin' up the hill...

 ... until one daddy lost his footing. Haha. Daddy Down!!

 See? Gorgeous.

 Mommy's turn to ride :)

Gettin' a push....

 

 

Weeeee! (also, if you're keeping count, Daddy's down again.)

 

 Sled-Riding Joy.

 Sawin' down Mimi and Pap Pap's tree

(we got one that still has a bulb.. so we can hopefully plant it in our yard later.)

 Timber!

 Bryce the Sweetheart.♥

 Back on the wagon for the return hayride!

 Bryce and his Momma and Daddy

 And these 2 goofs... Mimi and Pap Pap

 And of course we had to check out the reindeer before we left.

 Truly could not have asked for a better time♥

And after a few hiccups and some troubleshooting (as usual... I mean, nothing can just go totally smoothly... ha.)...........

 Our happy Christmas Tree

    

The Best is Yet to Come...?

"People will tell you that these are the best days of your life... But don't believe them." -  said the very little old lady, to the frazzled young mom trying (with only mild success) to corral her 3 young and wild boys through the grocery store. 

From the bottom of my heart and with deepest sincerity: Thank you, little old lady. 

Like probably every mother before me, there are times that I feel like a failure.  And especially when it comes to the "enjoyment" part of parenthood. Because sometimes... well, sometimes it's downright nearly impossible.

But from experience... and other friends who are in this same crazy motherhood boat... I'm starting to feel like maybe that's a little normal. (I mean... Do YOU enjoy being kept up all night? Bath time rivers? Never-ending messes? All. The. Poop.) I know no one ever said it was easy, but guys, I admit, sometimes, it's hard.

So yes. Sometimes I still feel tremendously guilty that I seem to be somehow missing these "best" times in our current screaming/fighting/wrestling/climbing/jumping-off-anything-that-will-hold-us state.

But now you're telling me it might get better than this? I may not have peaked in my life's happiness just yet? Maybe some day we WILL all get along and just be able to ENJOY being together? 

That I may not be completely failing because I sometimes have trouble just basking in the glory of motherhood? ... And maybe it's ok to admit that things aren't always (ever) just calm, peaceful, perfect, snapshot moments?

Boy, (oh boy, oh boy) does that certainly take a bit of the pressure off.

Bless you, dear woman. 

So, for now,  we'll take the good moments when they come... (Dear God, please send more.) And try to remember - through the meltdowns, hurricanes, and wailing tantrums -  that this too shall pass.. 

And just maybe, the best is yet to come. ♥

    

Larry, Curly & Moe

Well , yesterday afternoon was Trick or Treat!

And we could not have asked for a more beautiful day!!

Or cuter boys to get to chaperone around, on the hunt for candy.

Here are my Three Stooges :)

Larry, Curly, Moe

 Gettin' the stink eye from ol' Larry...

 With the Momma.

 Just in case there was any confusion ;)

 Cool guys

 And here comes the Pumpkin!!

 ♥

 Cutest little pumpkin in the patch :)

 Candy from the ambulance! 

(Holden was confused about why this was happening, lol)

 And we're off!

 The Pun'kin thought he'd rather walk with Mommy.

 Cutting through yards

 So many choices!

 Leading the way

Helping Larry find some more candy.

 I think maybe we just went as 'Awesome Moms of Boys'...

And... Nailed it. 

(Baahahahaahaa!!!!☺)

Our real life Three Stooges.♥

 Curly♥

 And here he was walkin' backwards... bein' a goofball

  

 Larry mostly lounged a lot.... he was super tired.

 And also enjoyed many of his Treats...

 

 ..... aaaaand got lots and lots of compliments on what a pretty little girl he was... 

((   Me: (something to the tune of..) Hey. Those people back there thought he was a girl, too. Maybe the bobbypins were too much...
 

Jared: Well, you're the prettiest girl out here, Son!    ))

 

 And this kid?! Well, Moe was all about the business.

That, and keeping up with his older "cousin"!

Ridin' along

 The whole crew

 

                                    And me!

 And headin' back! Uphill. lol.

Jared thought I should take a turn with the wagon.... but I really feel like this is what he must be training for out there in the garage gym... three nights a week... for the last 7 years... ;) 

Go, Super Daddy, go!!

And the weary Trick or Treaters... enjoying a few of their spoils on their way back♥