Full of Thanksgiving part 2

After jump starting the van ON Thanksgiving morning :( and repacking, we traveled to the beach to be with EJ's grandma and dad.

EJ's sister and fiance also made the trip. We loved seeing so much of Jill and Ralph, they LOVE our kids and it's a blessing to watch their relationships grow. We came ready for THE big game. Yay Eagles!

There were Christmas presents galore awaiting our arrival. A tradition that began last year. We have to ride with an empty roof top carrier just to bring presents home. The older two were shocked and broke out in a dance when they opened and xbox one from PopPop!! We were in on the secret ;)

I had to record this milestone. Owen and Mason walked to a nearby pizza shop by themselves for slices of their beloved circle pizza. Oh my heart!

We didn't have thanksgiving dinner until Friday which was fine by all of us. Sadly, Nana was not feeling well and couldn't join us for dinner. This is our first Thanksgiving without her at the table. This was a difficult trip in a lot of ways. We had been told her health was declining quickly, but to see it with our own eyes is all together different. My heart aches for EJ's dad and sister who see and HELP on a daily basis. As we sat and listened to all they've been doing, we are so thankful for their care for her, but we feel helpless from so far away.

Dinner was not the same, but we did enjoy it and made the most of our time together.

After dinner we went to the annual tree lighting. Brrr...

Nana woke up from a nap feeling a little better,o Ryan and Avery filled her in on the lighting and Santa's debut. I love the smile they bring to her face.

 

She even felt well enough to play cards before the kids went to bed.

Before heading home on Saturday, we visited the beach in 36 degrees. 

I could not feel my toes or fingers for the 3 block walk back ;)

So thankful to have this man by my side. I have spent 13 straight Thanksgivings with his side of the family. I feel completely at home in both locations, this is such a blessing. Thanks for hosting our wild and loud crew!

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.