Santa has arrived.

There were some good boys in the Henry House this year. The boys and I read the Christmas story and put Cookies & Egg Nog (or Egg Milk as Dalton calls it) out for Santa. Then it was off to bed for Santa doesn't come until little boys are sleeping. Santa had to rearrange the furniture this year to accommodate all the gifts.

The boys were very excited in the morning to discover the Polar Express train under the tree. Colin went right to it and started it up. They then tackled their piles and did a great job unwrapping all of their presents. We had to keep on Dalton who wanted to play with everything he opened up. Colin zoomed through all of his unwrapping with record speed and Ian slowed down about the time he discovered chocolate in his stocking. He then tested out his new Lightning McQueen chair and ate his chocolate Santa.

Aunt Sara got to share in the excitement this year. After all of the unwrapping, and opening of boxes, they got right to playing with the endless amounts of trucks, tractor, trains & monster trucks. It's a boys world in this house for sure.

At this point we are enjoying the beautiful weather and relaxing day. Soon it will be time for Christmas ham and pineapple stuffing. Yum

Getting ready for Christmas.

The stockings are hung and the tree is trimmed. Now we just start the countdown. We are looking forward to this Christmas because each year gets better and better. We are so blessed this year and are so excited to see all 3 of their faces on Christmas morning. The tree is still decorated which is a bonus. The presents under the tree are hard to resist but they are doing well especially since none of them are for them. They all promptly told Daddy that his present was under the tree and that Mommy got him a box. Which is why Mommy didn't tell them what was in the box.

Tonight was the Christmas program at church and Colin & Dalton participated this year. They were originally going to be a donkey & a sheep until they informed me of their animal choice. Dalton chose to be a crocodile and Colin wanted to be a lion. So Mommy got creative and made their costumes. Ian was a very last minute addition as a bat which was an extra costume. They all did very well and it was very cute.

So now we wait. I have made the list and checked it several times; cookies - check, stocking stuffers - check, presents wrapped - check, egg nog - check, ham for dinner - check. All that is left is to wait. I think I am going to have the hardest time myself.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope that the holidays find everyone in good health and with the ones they love. We hope Santa brings you everything on your list and that you save room for Jesus in your heart. We know both will be paying our house a visit this year.

Visit with Santa.

We attended the Fire Department's Christmas party this past friday. The boys got an early visit from Santa Claus. Colin sat on his lap with no problems and rattled off all the items he would like him to bring. Dalton was next and did a great job as well. He wasn't as detailed but managed to tell Santa that he wanted a Polar Express. Ian didn't even want to go near him and at the time his name was called was having a fit. So Daddy got his present for him. Dalton was thrilled with his toy which was a new Doggy Monster Truck. Ian was happy with his dump truck as well. Colin liked his present but was a little bummed he couldn't play with it right away. Oh well "Santa" will have to do better next year. 2 out of 3 isn't bad.

Pizza Night with Uncle Walt

We have discovered a new career option for Dalton. Pizza Maker! Colin started out making pizza but ended at one. Dalton worked with Uncle Walt and made all four. He had so much fun and made really great pizza too!

Thanksgiving at Mom & Dad's

Thanksgiving was spent this year at Grandma & Pop Pop Brunetti's. We had a great time visiting and had good luck traveling. The boys had a great time visiting with their Uncles, Aunts & new Cousin. They got to spend some time at the zoo with Uncle Walt, Uncle Chris & Aunt Amy. They love the zoo and we appreciate Uncle Walt taking them.

We all ate ourselves silly on Thanksgiving with some wonderful food. I especially loved the carrot & curry soup. That night was capped off by most of the crew heading to the Eagles game for an awesome win over the Cardinals. The boys, Mom & I went to the movies and saw Madagascar 2. They loved it and even sat through the whole movie. Which was amazing for Ian! We then invaded Aunt Monica's and Uncle Steve's and the boys got a treat by breaking in Nicholas' new train.

It was a great Holiday and we were very thankful that we could spend it with family.

Cousins

Yeah! We finally got to meet our newest addition to our family. He is absolutely adorable. We got to spend a lot of time with him during our visit. Colin loved meeting him, Dalton didn't want to share his toys and Ian thought it was fun to pull on his legs. It will be a blast to watch them all grow up together.

Leaf Pile

Nothing better in life for little boys than a great big pile of leaves. They had a blast jumping in it and of course driving trucks through it.

New 4 Wheeler

Colin has moved up into the next phase of his 4 wheeling career. He is loving his new ride. Dalton & Ian love taking rides with their big brother. Dalton of course has now learned to drive it himself. His first ride was a little scary but he has mastered it now. They have made a track around Daddy's garage which of course runs right through a mud puddle.

Updates

I have been very bad about updating the blog. My goal is by today to have it updated with some new photos of the last month. We have had a lot going on lately.

Growing up too fast.

It's amazing how time flies. I can't get over how big these 3 are getting. They have 3 distinct personalities but in every way you can tell they are brothers. They always want to be with each other and do what the other is doing. It is very rewarding to watch them play together and know that they will always have each other.
Here they are watching Daddy working in the yard on the tractor.
They are probably all talking about the day when they get to drive the tractor. It will probably look like this.

Some Fall Pictures of the Boys

Election Day

Just a couple of hours to go until the polls are closed and the direction of this country is determined. Terrance and I voted on Friday during the early voting this year. It was nice not to have to worry about getting out today and getting it done but I think it took some of the fun out of it. We haven't talked much about it with the kids not realizing that they would have any idea what we were talking about. But as I picked up Colin yesterday from school and he proudly showed me his "I voted sticker", I soon realized that they know and understand more than I thought. Colin proudly told me he voted for Barack Obama must to my dismay. But we can only blame ourselves because we have never discussed the election with him at all. He said he knew who Obama was from the TV. I guess all of that money for advertising did pay off. Colin, bless the sensitive soul he is, was crushed when he thought Daddy was mad at him for voting for Obama. I told him it was ok and luckily his vote didn't count.

Dalton later announced he would vote for John McCain. He also pointed out who he was on the TV. It is quite amazing how perceptive these little boys are and how TV helps influence them. Now we know for the future that we have some work to do to help instill our conservative values in our children. Although once they turn 18 and register, its up to them to decide. Probably how my parents felt about this Republican.

Hope everyone voted and we can only now hope for the best.

Happy Halloween!

This year we had a red power ranger (Colin), Buzz Lightyear (Dalton) & Mickey Mouse (Ian). They were all very cute and so excited about going trick or treating. Even Ian caught on very quickly. He loved wearing his costume and getting candy even more. He managed to get something out that sounded a lot like trick or treat. We went to several houses and then came back home and had a little Halloween get together at our house. Terrance and I had a blast taking them and watching them love every minute of it. This is definitely what it is all about.

A final note, we will have candy for months.............anyone want any?

Enjoying fall.

Fall of course in this house means outage time. Terrance has been spending most of his time in South Carolina working nights. The boys can't wait for Daddy to finish working because last time he was worked in South Carolina he came home for a tractor. Dalton thinks we need a green one now since we already have a yellow one. They are going to be a little disappointed because there are no more tractor purchases. They will however be very happy to have Daddy home all the time. So will Mommy.

Colin is doing great in school. He loves going and is learning so much everyday. He is very excited because I am taking him to school now. This morning he was so proud of himself because he got to walk in all by himself. He was still talking about it when I picked him and when we put him to bed. He is too much of a big boy for my liking. The only time he doesn't act so big is when it comes to homework. Yes he has homework already in Pre-K. It has given me a window into the future and it is going to be a long 18 years.

Dalton and Ian are getting settled into being home with Mommy and no one else. We are going to start getting out more and doing some fun things with just the 3 of us.

Colin's Paper Monster

Colin made this paper monster in school today. It kind of left me speechless. I am pretty sure he captured the scary aspect.

Think they are related?

Colin's clock project

Colin was very excited to work on
his clock project with his Daddy.
He did a great job painting and then
helping put it together. Terrance
did a great job too, even with the lack of sleep
that comes with the night shift and an outage.

Kelli told me that today when she dropped the kids off to school, Colin had to tell his principal all about his project. Too cute.

Nicholas Matthew Brunetti has arrived.

A new Brunetti has joined the crew. Nicholas Matthew was born on 9/23/08 at 4:45, weighing 6 lbs 12 oz. Monica did a great job bringing this adorable baby into the world. I can't wait to meet him and spoil him as his Aunt. The boys have mixed emotions about their new cousin. Dalton is just happy he isn't living here. Ian says baby and Colin wants to drive to Jersey to meet him. It will be a lot of fun watching these 4 boys grow up together. Congrats to Monica & Steve, good luck on the nights ahead and the many years to come. Enjoy every moment because it goes by so quickly. I can hardly believe that's my baby brother holding his new baby. Look out world, Steve has a kid.

Deja Vu (This time on Ian)

So I am not in the running for the mommy of the year award...
Dalton managed to get a hold of the safety scissors again (mind you we have them so they can do arts & craft project) and this time practiced on his brother, Ian. The haircuts are very similar. He must be taking notes. Maybe the next time it will be a little more even. Oh well, another trip to see Danny.

And yes these haircuts can be completed in the time it takes to put laundry away.

Side note: I have been informed that many people think that Dalton cut his own hair again. Not so, this time he cut Ian's hair. It's amazing that they look so much alike, but that is Ian with the nasty bear in his mouth.

Ian and his bear.

Ian has become very attached to his teddy bear. He has to have it all the time especially to go to bed. It has a special odor and dirt ring from it being in his mouth all the time. I try to get it from him almost everyday to wash it because it is a little gross. But it is very loved.

Baby Fever

We have a new member of the clique, Andrew David. Our neighbor and friend, Ginny went into labor today and had her beautiful baby boy. We can't wait to meet him. We will try to get to the hospital before they leave however with our crew sometimes thats not the best.

Update:

We did not get to the hospital as I figured. But we were able to greet them as they got home. We delivered some flowers and the next night took dinner to the the family. Sarah is so excited to be a big sister and is very good at it. She has been practicing with our boys for a long time.

We are so excited that there is another boy in the group because at this house we are a little partial. It's also very exciting because Ian is no longer the baby in the group.

We are still on high alert for the next new baby boy addition to the Brunetti family. It's anyday now or definitely on Tuesday when Monica is induced. Stay tuned.

Boys and Mud

Tropical Storm Hanna has passed and is on its way up north. We are now left with lots of good mud puddles. The boys are having a blast driving their trucks and four wheeler through all of them. Last night and this morning did not look like it was going to be a good day but it has now turned out to be quite a nice day. The sun is out and of course the temperature is up. I guess that makes a good day for splashing though mud puddles.

Colin's First Day of School

It's official, Colin has started his first day of Pre-K.
Mommy and Colin got up in plenty of time to get ready
and get to school on time. Daddy met us there so he could see
him off for his first day as well. He was excited and only had a little concern about us leaving. He got to put his bookbag up in his cubby and pick the flavor of milk he wanted for breakfast and it was off to play with some Lego's.
It was very exciting and sad at the same time. A whole new chapter is starting which is fun but it is hard to let your baby grow up. Luckily I have lots to keep me occupied during the day but I have to admit I can't wait for 2:45.