The Elf on the Shelf

I love tradition. I think that's why I fell in love with A&M the first time I went to visit. I am so excited about starting some Tims Family Christmas traditions. This year we're going to introduce a few... one being The Elf on the Shelf. I'm pretty sure that Reese and Tucker won't understand it this year... but that's okay. We'll just say it's for me.

Here's the way it works...

The day after Thanksgiving a mysterious Elf arrives on a shelf in your house. He's straight from the North Pole and here to keep an eye on the kids and report back to Santa each night. The elf leaves after the kids go to bed and returns the next morning, often hiding in a new spot. The kids can't touch the elf but they can talk to him/her and share what they want for Christmas, etc. On Christmas Eve, the elf leaves to go back to the North Pole until next Christmas.


I love it... so fun. The box set comes with a little elf and a book that tells the story of who the elf is and why he/she has come to your house. We read the book to Reese and Tucker and introduced them to the elf who they're supposed to name. I'm calling the elf Paco until next year when the kids are old enough to decide.


This will be the first of many fun Tims Christmas traditions!

Pumpkin Patch Pandemonium

I've been looking forward to fall for months now. Fall brings all the things I love... changing leaves, cooler weather, high school volleyball, candy corn, Halloween, and PUMPKINS!

I couldn't wait to take the family to a pumpkin patch. I'd planned it all out in my mind... the kids would run from pumpkin to pumpkin while dad and I watched and snapped pics to be showcased in their scrapbooks for years to come. Everyone would be happy and cooperative. Their first pumpkin patch experience would be perfect. Good one. Here's how it really played out... not even close to what I planned in my mind.

They weren't happy. They weren't cooperative. It was 4:00 and they hadn't had naps all day(long story). The lighting was terrible. The list goes on and on. As you can see, Chris and I were determined to have some family fun... but we were the only ones.

Despite the meltdowns and the huge knot Tucker got on his forehead an hour before picture time, we were able to get a few that are scrap worthy.

I don't look like I'm having fun, but I still give this place a thumbs up!

More than half way through the "shoot" I realized the camera was on some weird setting... that's why we look like smurfs in some of these. Not to worry though, it's nothing a little photo shop can't fix.

Our first visit to the pumpkin patch definitely falls into the forced family fun category, but of course, I'd do it all again.