I Bring You The Archer Family Christmas Tree

A few weeks back the Archer family packed into the honda civic (the van was being worked on) and headed out into the wilderness to cut down our tree. We didn't realize when we set off on our journey that we'd be searching in the midst of a heavy flurry. The farm was great. Kate and Steve gave us the heads up. The trees were really reasonable and the landscape was picturesque. There was the beautiful cobblestone house as you drove up the hill and a really pretty farm. I imagine inside the big farm shed there were tables and a stage and Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby were dancing around. Anyhow, it was a fun day.

Jack was eager from the start. Here he is trying to nail his mother with a snowball.

Lily, not so eager.

Jack sizing up the lot

Jack was so excited to run, especially in the snow. More rapid than eagles he flew...

Lily reminds me of the little boy in "Christmas Story" when he yells,

"I can't put my arms down."

There's Clark. The tree farm equipped him with a saw. Thankfully no roots dangling off the tail of our car.

Jack and Lily thought this tree was nice

Daddy and Lily pausing a moment for a picture. Lily is so not a snow bunny.

Lily: "Hey dad, how's it going?"

David: "Little full, lotta sap."

Our Snow Angels

Behold Yon Tree

Me and My Babes

I adore this picture. I love how Jack is helping David here. It's the sweetest.

Aunt Jody Visits

David's Aunt Jody came to visit over Thanksgiving and the kids soaked up as much Jody as they could. They loved her! Actually, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that didn't love Jody. She's so much fun and has the best laugh. And, she gives our kids books about a flatulent Santa Claus. I love the pictures below...

Party Time!

Just before Thanksgiving we were able to see the Daniels and Matheson families. There were so many little ones running around. It was awesome. I get lonely sometimes being at home. Don't get me wrong, I feel very grateful. But, it can be isolating at times. That's why when we get to see friends and family it is all that more special to me. I loved watching the kids play together and seeing their happy faces.

Donovan and Lily in their matching gap ensembles and ringlets.

The gorgeous Leah


The cherub Fiona

While the boys raced around downstairs, the girls found a quiet haven and read some books

Housework in Heels (should be a new Sophie Kinsella novel)

Craft time.



Fiona was the main attraction. The girls especially were so enamored with her.
Love this chaos.

Lily taking a break with Grandma

Lily was huffing and puffing until Maureen let her actually touch the baby. Poor Fiona. Such a good sport she is already.

And now, Leah's turn.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far...

David makes this same face.

Cinderella

Here's Blondie with her new haircut and a new shirt/dress (thanks kev and nicole).

She's on the go!
She's also helping with blog maintenance

More Random Shots!

"And now I would like the recreate the classic, 'Going to a Party' by Mo Willems. In this production, I, Jack Archer will play the part of Gerald the Elephant. Brian Clark will fill the role of Piggie."

In keeping with the Mo Willems theme here is a single "Piggie" cupcake Jack requested for his sister's birthday.

Look it's how Bridget smiled for most pictures between ages 2-7.

Forever in blue jeans babe.

Tyler Florence has got nothing on him.

So, let's talk circulatory system.

Mmmm, cupcake.

My dad got Lily this little doll and not suprisingly Lil was interested in her footwear.

Random Pictures

"Look Steve, they made a toy out of you!" Woody bears a strong resemblance to someone we know. Also, Lily is wearing Lacey's boots in this picture and evidently admiring them.

I have no idea what is going on here but I like this picture. Matt was probably singing some Carrie Underwood song again.

I like how Jack is just chilling here with the guys.

I plan to take a sandwich shot like this every year.

One year Jack is going to tower over both of them I think.

What's more awesome than an embrace from a fairy princess?

Our Own Little Carrie Bradshaw

Here is Lily opening up her new "sprinkle" shoes (as she calls them) from Grandma Toni and Grandpa Dave. As soon as she saw them she demanded they be put on.



It's hard to get the full effect here, but these bedazzled beauties also light up as you walk.

Happy Veteran's Day Belated

Happy Veteran's Day to all the soldiers and their families past and present.
Thanks especially to my brother, father-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, Dave's grandfather, uncles and friends.

I dare you to watch this and not get choked up.

The story of SoupCan Jones

When we first moved into our house we noticed a black squirrel hanging out in our yard. He looks kind of creepy...kind of a hybrid between a rat and a squirrel. Prior to living here, I had never seen a black squirrel. So, out of curiosity I googled them and found an interesting wikipedia article. Apparently there are populations of black squirrels throughout the country but they are still pretty rare...1 in every 10,000. Having been in this neighborhood a few months now, I can tell you that there is a population of black squirrels in Pittsford. More specifically, there is a population of black squirrels in the Charter Oaks and Knickerbocker neighborhoods.

The other part of the story is that we have a squirrel infestation. I guess that comes with living in a wooded area. At any given time, when you look out our window, you can see at least five squirrels in our yard. Usually there are more and there are chipmunks too. It's Squirrel Central. A few months back David and Jack decided to name some of our new friends. Jack suggested that the black squirrel be named SoupCan. I still have no idea where this came from since his other friends' names are pretty boring (ie, Teddy, Big Dog). David then decided SoupCan needed a last name. That's when SoupCan Jones was born.

Originally SoupCan Jones was the black squirrel who lived on our property. But now, Lily calls any squirrel SoupCan Jones. She stands at the window in the morning and announces, "There's Soupcan. There's SoupCan Jones." I don't think she knows the meaning of the word squirrel.

David managed to snap a photo of SoupCan the other day...

And here's Lily with my sister this past weekend. Our daughter didn't get a puppy or a unicorn or kitten for her birthday. No, she got a big ole' SoupCan Jones puppet. Yes, I know he's not a black squirrel. But as I mentioned, Lily refers to any squirrel as SoupCan Jones. She has been marching around with SoupCan for the past few days. I also found a squirrel t-shirt at Baby Gap. I have to wonder how many parents are buying their daughters squirrel clothing.

When you visit our house you'll have to be on the lookout for the 64 Stuyvesant mascot.