Full of Thanksgiving, part 1

We arrived at EJ's mom's house late Monday (a week ago). We enjoyed having 2 full days with Mim before traveling the to shore to EJ's (paternal) grandma's house. We made the most of it. Lots of time outside on Tuesday before the snow. Yummy food, fun games and we got to meet a special little one, my (soon-to-be) niece! EJ's sister is getting married in September and her fiance's daughter is 1.5 yrs old and as cute as can be.

 

The little kids play turkey bowl now instead of their dads.

Wednesday, first snow of the season. 

The older 2 played outside with Aunt Jill, Ralph and his daughter.

Mim is always full of fun surprises. Look at all of these googly eyes ;)

We had two big meals this Thanksgiving, Wednesday and Friday leaving Thurs to expand and stretch our tummy walls.

Another Mim (pinterest) idea- spider basketball

 

I am thankful our kids are older now and traveling gets easier each year. I love how we all feel at home, in Mim's house and she spoils us for sure! See you in a few weeks, Mim!

Chilly Chatterbox

As if we weren't late everywhere, ALL THE TIME, now we have to add bundling up time! 

Isn't she a cutie :)

Her language has exploded the last several months. Not just for our benefit, but I have received comments about it from preschool teachers, Sunday school and in the nursery at bible study. It is crazy to hear her say "bless you, mommy" when I sneeze or "excuse me" if she burps (which happens rarely, although she hears it from her brothers, plenty). Sometimes she randomly busts out with "we will, we will rock you..." And if she just feels the need to fill a void of silence (heaven forbid) she will ramble on and on without using actual words and I catch myself thinking, wouldn't that be funny if she all the sudden started speaking in Chinese ;)

Speaking of Patience

This is Ryan's newest version of a "fort." Although it was more for containing his "animals." Because as you know, he is a farmer ;)

I tried not to let it bother me for a few days (they were cleaned up at the end of each day) but I finally had to put an end too it. First, because it was far too easy for Avery to pillage and disperse the contents everywhere. Second, these baskets can't handle the wear and tear of his new found purpose for them. I need them to last for the sake of our bookcases and so I don't have to drive 2 hrs to ikea and buy replacements ;)

It did make for happy, creative kids and at least 3 of them played together, which doesn't happen all that often. Today, he moved onto couch cushions ;)

Praying for Patience

This little one, requires every ounce of patience I have in me and that's not normally enough to get us through the day. Thankfully God continues to refill me. It boggles my mind that after 3 boys, she surprises me hourly with her mischief.

On this particular night, I needed to wash more than usual by hand, so I got out my gloves. Well, she was so curious about them and quickly got a stool (her personal helper) and "washed" dishes with me. It looks so cute in the pictures, mother and daughter, working side-by-side and if she hadn't spent nearly every second of her day with me, it would have felt like a hallmark moment, but instead I had to dig deep and remind myself, someday I will miss this.

Artificial Tree Hunt

We finally took the plunge. We have been talking about it for YEARS, just always too sad to actually do it. After suffering this fall (3 of us) with allergies, I do not want to prolong the problem with a live tree. We are fairly certain that I am allergic to the tree each year and suspect some of the kids are too.

  

We had some funny conversations with people as I was taking pictures ;) 

Not nearly as lovely inside a mega store as outside in a lot (never did the farm thing).   

 

This is how the older 2 feel about it ;) Mason is the only one expressing sadness. 

I am looking forward to NOT restringing the lights each year!

We are not putting the tree up earlier than normal, just taking advantage of the 50% of sale ;)