Christmas Tree Lighting

Okay, so it's been awhile for the blog. But we have encountered every sickness there is the past couple of weeks! Tis the season to be sick! However, we are on the mend and back to blogging!

A couple of weekends ago we attended the Christmas tree lighting in St. Joe. It was a very cold evening, so we first stopped in for some hot chocolate at South Bend Chocolate Company. This was AJ's first try at hot chocolate...he wouldn't put his sippy cup down! He loved it! We then headed over to the lighting and walked the lighted bluff. All the lights were timed to Christmas music. It was really neat, we all had fun!

All bundled up and ready to go!

Yummy hot chocolate!

O, Christmas Tree!

The bluff, all lit up!

Tommy and me in front of Frosty

Thankful

On Wednesday I learned that one of my friends from high school passed away from his battle with cancer. While I had lost touch with him after high school, when I found out about him having cancer a few years back, I started to follow him through facebook, news articles, and his blog. I was touched by his story because he never seemed to let the cancer get the best of him, always living life to its fullest. Since Wednesday, I haven't been able to stop thinking about him and how it's not fair that his life was taken so early. But it's also made me realize that I need to be so thankful for what I have in my life. This time of year becomes so busy and the list of things to do goes on and on. But since Wednesday, I've tried to enjoy the hustle and bustle and enjoy every minute with my family. I'm trying to be less annoyed with things and people and trying to have more patience. I'm so thankful I have beautiful, healthy family. While my two boys keep me busy and usually exhausted by 8 pm, I'm loving spending every minute with them I can, because who knows what will happen tomorrow. I have no idea what the future holds for us, but I am so thankful for the blessings in my life and thankful to my friend who has shown me this week how precious life really is. Thanks, Nick. Rest in peace.

Manchester Road Race

On Thanksgiving Day, Chris, Scott, and I ran the Manchester Road Race. This is a 4.78 mile run that 15,000 people participate in. Chris and I have never run more than a 5k, so we were a little nervous as to what might happen to us during the race! The Manchester Road Race is ranked among the top 25 races in America, I had no idea how fun this was going to be. People dressed up in ridiculous costumes and bands played along the side of the roads. Spectators offered words of encouragement and high fives along the way. The three of us ran together the whole time and thoroughly enjoyed our Thanksgiving morning. We then didn't feel so guilty sitting down to two different types of stuffings, mashed potatoes, and of course turkey! What a great way to start the day!

Sporting our Cullen Beer Olympic shirts for the race. We came in first
for that competition...not the case for the race, but we still had fun!

Pasta Mishap

For my birthday, I requested that Chris make homemade pasta with meatballs. We don't frequently make homemade pasta, because it's messy and time consuming, but it is certainly delicious. Anyways, Chris was following the directions in which you need to make a well with the flour and combine the eggs to knead it into dough. Well, his "well" didn't quite work and eggs went everywhere! His hands were full of goo and he couldn't stop the eggs from going all over the place, quite a funny scene. Here are a few pictures of it.

Last of the Birthday Pictures

AJ really enjoyed his birthday weekend. He loved being around all his friends and family...and eating cake every night too! Here are a few more pictures from the weekend.

AJ and Cake

AJ enjoyed his birthday so much! He especially loved the cake. He had a jungle themed birthday, so I decided to try and make a monkey cake. I got the recipe from Martha Stewart and even watched the video online on how to make this cake. I didn't want to mess up his first birthday cake so I knew I needed to do a trial run. The first cake turned out great, and we enjoyed this cake on his actual birthday. Then I had to make another one...this one was wonderful too! However, I really don't want to see frosting for some time now! Here are some pictures of AJ enjoying cake!

Cooking with Tommy and AJ

Tommy and AJ love to play with the tupperware while I'm cooking. I think this is great, it occupies them for awhile and I can get stuff done while still watching them. The food they come up with is great too. Tommy has served me coffee with sprinkles, potatoes, soup, and pizza. Here are a few pictures of them playing.

First Snow!

Last Friday was the first official snow in Michigan! I thought it was just going to flurry, but it just kept coming and coming! The boys had so much fun watching the snow fall to the ground.

Happy Birthday, AJ!

Our sweet baby AJ is one! I can't believe it. Where did this year go? AJ, you have developed into such a fun loving boy, a true joy to be around. I love that you know how to make us all laugh and you can laugh right along with us. You truly are my sunshine. We love you more than you could ever know! Happy birthday, sweet baby AJ!! These pictures are of AJ throughout the year.

Newborn AJ

1 month old AJ

4 month old AJ

9 month old AJ

One year old AJ!

Snack Time!

Fall Fun

Noah's Ark Party

Last week, Tommy's class had a Noah's Ark party and I went in to help out. I was able to spend the whole day with Tommy and his class. We had a blast, and Tommy was very well behaved! Here are a few pictures from the day.

Toy Story Tuesday

For most people this day is important because it's election day. Well, in the Cullen household, it's important because it's Toy Story Tuesday. Yes, that's right, Toy Story 3 is finally out on DVD. Yes, we own it and yes we have already watched it! Happy Toy Story Tuesday, everyone!

Halloween Pictures

Buzz and our little monkey had a great Halloween weekend! Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Ollie and Molly

Tommy, Jensen, and Cooper

Brady, Casey, and Tommy