Rooftop Santa

I decided b/c he causes us so much grief every year that I should tell all my blogger friends the story behind "Santa on the roof". About 3 or 4 yrs ago, when the ugly, giant, blow-up lawn creatures came out (can you tell how much I liked them?), I swore I would NEVER own one. That was until I saw Santa. This one was different. It's a chimney and Santa hides inside the chimney and then pops out every few minutes. I thought it was so fun, but it was $50.00!! I didn't like him that much. The rest of that Christmas season came and went and a few weeks later Derek and I were at Lowes for something and we saw that very same Santa on clearance! It was last one and only like $15.00, it was just meant to be! The next year when we were getting out our decorations, I pulled out Santa and Derek said "it's a chimney and I'm not putting a chimney in the front yard, he's going on the roof!" I thought he was absolutely crazy and that it would never work up there. Well, Derek proved me wrong. He built a platform that lays over the roof peak to stabilize it and it's then anchored to the platform as well! The problem we always have is that when he's deflated if it gets cold or we get the wet, heavy snow, he won't blow up! So, then Derek get mad that he won't blow up and risks his life to get him back up at least 2 or 3 times a year!! This year, he made a wicked long pole to poke him! It's so funny, I don't know why we do this to ourselves every year! Sometimes we see people driving slow in front of our house to check him out and that makes it worth it. I hope someday our kids will think we're pretty cool with a Santa on our roof! If he survives that long! Anyway, now you know the story, here's a few pictures of our famous rooftop Santa, enjoy!!

Where's Santa?

Here he is!!

The other day (before I got the tree up) when I got Ethan up, he saw one of his hats on the changing table and was trying to put it on his head. This is very odd because he hates wearing hats usually. So, I helped him put it on and he wore all morning! It was so cute, here's a couple pictures of him!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We sure did. On Thanksgiving Day, I had to work until 3pm so Derek and Bonnie did all of the cooking at our house while I was gone. It was great! I just came home, changed my clothes and ate a scrumptious meal! Props to our chefs! Everyone was able make it and stayed until around 10 or 1030pm talking! Great family time! The next morning, Bonnie and I decided to brave the crazy's and went shopping at 0630! We got a lot of great deals....but I still have a lot shopping to do! I never know what to get people....I need lists, lists, lists!!! Anyway, we really had a great time, but called it quits around 2pm, we were pooped! I took a nap when Ethan did, and we had fun night at home.

Saturday, the weather was actually pretty decent, so we all played outside. Derek got Santa on the roof and I did a little raking (we still have a couple inches of leaves on our lawn that we didn't have a chance to get up before the snow!!). I couldn't get much done b/c I was chasing Ethan. He had a ball! That night Derek and I went on a Date! It was really nice. Since he's started his new job, we hardly get a chance to talk it seems! He gets home an hour later now and it really makes a difference. We eat dinner, then it's tubby time, bed time and by the time I'm done with all that, Derek's sleeping on the couch! Not every night, but he has to get up so early and it's still all so new for him, so he's mentally drained. It will be better once he gets used to it, but he's so pooped when he gets home! Anyway, to make a long story short, we had some nice, quality time together, so Thanks Again Mom and Dad!!!

Sunday, we had our Thanksgiving at my mom's. Derek and I had to make pies in the morning and the green bean casserole! We were almost late waiting for the pies...but we made it and the pies were still warm when we ate them!! YUM, YUM!! It was weired w/o my brother there, but I psyched that he's going to be home for Christmas! He comes home on the 17th, I can't wait! I was supposed to go down to GA to see him graduate from Basic on the 11th, but I can't find anyone to drive down with me and I don't want to drive alone. I'm still checking to see if I can steal a last minute flight, but I'm not very optimistic :( Anyway, I hope he understands. I really wish I could be there. Anyway, my grandma was able to be there too, so we had a nice time. THEN...that night my dad and Justin came over for pizza! They only stayed a few hours, but it was nice to hang out. I haven't seen Justin in a while, he's 11 now and loves to play video games so that's what he and Derek did most of the time! Derek actually admitted he wished Justin lived a little closer so he could come over and play more often!! This funny b/c Justin used to LOVE to rub it in when he won or whatever and used to drive Derek nuts, he hated playing with him! Justin has really gotten so much better and he's polite and much better behaved now...it's amazing what a couple years will do! So, that was our busy, busy weekend! I don't really have any pictures from it, which I know is terrible! We were just having such a great time that it slipped my mind! I guess I'll have a little hole in my scrapbook this year!

Here's a few pictures of Ethan's 1st time in the snow a few days before Thanksgiving!