Recently I made a new wall decoration for this special season
(actually a friend did the vinyl lettering for me... THANKS CINDY!!):
#1 - My baby boy.
He brings such joy to my life. He is growing so fast, and we just love his personality.
He loves his highchair and eating oatmeal!
Loves grabbing Mommy's hair when she is close.
Makes for some pretty funny hairdos.
He just learned this week how to sit up.
He's getting better each day, but still face plants sometimes!
Sitting in the big chair, like a big boy!
He loves to chew on anything he can get his hands on.
He's getting really good at grabbing EVERYTHING!!
He's wearing 9 month clothes now... yet he is only 5 months old!
What an incredible man! He has so much on his plate. Then, after all of that he still makes times for us, makes me and Andrew laugh, & helps me stay caught up with the things I don't get done. I love you, babe!
#3 - The many things we all take for granted.
A roof over my head, warmth inside my home, food to eat, and the ability to get things that aren't essential. Along with this, I'm very grateful for something we don't think alot about most of the time. Those who have gone before us. Our forefathers, who went through many trials just to make it in this land. Our ancestors who worked their tails off. They faced so many physical hardships and because of them I am here, living a much easier life (in some ways) then they did.
This year for Thanksgiving my brother Devin and his family came up from Utah. Yeah!!!
Wednesday evening, we had a birthday party at our place for my nephew Nicholas who turned 1 that day. All of my family (in Idaho) came and we had lots of fun together!
It was so funny to watch Nicholas eat-- demolish his cake.
What a cute boy!!
This is what it did look like... CUTE!!
Thanksgiving was awesome.... as always. I made 2 Pumpkin pies and 2 Gram Cracker pies (my favorite). Funny story, while I was making the custard filling for the Gram Cracker pie I accidentally put Cream of Tarter in instead of Cornstarch. I couldn't figure our why it was starting to curd up, and it wouldn't thicken. Good thing, I redid it and figured out the problem. I don't think my family would have ever let me make our favorite pie ever again!
A new Tradition I love, is our Thankful Moments around the table when we finish eating.
We didn't get any sleep that night. Let me tell you why.... BLACK FRIDAY! We went to Old Navy at 12AM and was out by 12:30 (well I guess we stood in line for a good 30 minutes before they opened the door).
Then we went to Kohl's and the line was supper long so we left and at 4am went to Shopko. My SIL found what she was looking for and the line wasn't too long (turns out they opened at 12am) so we were out shortly after. Then me and my other SIL stood in line at JoAnn's for a good 1 1/2 hours till they opened at 6am. We were out of there in 10 minutes! We got a good system! Then we went back to Kohl's once the lines we gone, and got our stuff. We got home at 7am and our kids were up shortly after. So, no sleep... but worth it. We have some good tips and secrets of how to shop in record time.
On Saturday, we all went to my brother, Kyle's house to help sheet rock his basement. I love working with my family. We did alot of it growing up so I feel like we are a great team. Briant helped most the time while I watched the little one, but later in the afternoon he took over so I could help. Let me tell you, I never knew how fun it could be to use power tools! Thanks Kyle, for letting me help.... even though I'm sure there are half a dozen screws that aren't all the way in...
All of us minus 1 brother.
We missed you Gene!
We missed you Gene!
Side thought: For years now I have been totally against Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I just felt it robbed Thanksgiving. Then this year, something happened. My favorite radio station is the one playing the Christmas music early. I decided to listen anyway until I felt irked enough to change it. After all, I reasoned. "Let it snow", and "Jingle Bells" could be seen as "seasonal" songs. Right? Then, "The Little Drummer Boy" came on. This song just happens to be one of my favorites because it pulls at your heart strings. As I listened to to it I got those same feelings I always do. I felt love for my Savior and peace in my heart. Then, I realized something. I didn't want those special feelings of Jesus Christ to be limited to just once a year. I love the happiness that Christmas music brings me. So if that means I want it a little early, than so be it. Don't get me wrong, I still think that "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer", and "Santa Clause is Coming To Town" can wait till after Thanksgiving. Don't even get me started about how how sad & annoying it is that the commercialized Christmas sometimes takes over the true meaning. Jesus is the reason for the Season... and I want to remember the happiness he brings to us all.... even before Thanksgiving.
So there you have it. I know this was long winded... but hey I'm a long winded person!
I happen to think that Thanksgiving is the perfect lead in holiday to Christmas. So let the Christmas Season begin!!!
Oh and P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!!!
