Christmas Party

The girls had their preschool Christmas party last night. All the boys and girls performed a concert for the parents. It was adorable. Santa came for a visit too!

Melia went running up and could not wait for her turn.

Eva decided after a while that she would like too sit on his lap (she really just wanted the candy cane he was giving :)

As you can see P was not a fan at all.

Here are two songs from their concert (they were both so cute, I couldn't pick just one)! It makes me beam everytime I watch it. Can't believe they are old enough to be singing in a preschool concert!

Watch for the kisses half way through :)

Football and Snow

Yesterday, we had our first real snow of the season. Of course we went out and played in it. But football is also a priority and watching Uncle Dave kick for the Lions makes it even more fun. Chris had a great time in the snow with the kids. I hid behind the camera. :)

Snowball fight with Daddy!

Our first snowman of the season!

Our Snowbabies!!

How to build a snowman! by: Melia

How to build a snowman! by: Eva

Parker can't tell us how to build a snowman, but he can say football and touchdown!

It was a great snowy, football filled, Sunday!!

Thankful

I am so thankful for my three little turkeys, with their homemade handprint turkey shirts, that they are not old enough to fight me to wear...yet :)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I ended up hosting at the last min. I cooked the turkey, that my mom bought, and the mashed potatoes. Everyone else brought the rest. I love nothing more than setting a beautiful table and entertaining. It's something we don't do as often these days, so I decided to go all the way. We had 26 people total including kids. I have a set of 12 Christmas dishes and my grandmothers set of china, so dishes were plentiful. The day before was my birthday and I spent it doing what I love most, playing with my kids and preparing for guests. Chris and I did sneak out for a late dinner. It was a glorious day.

The table was already set so Thursday morning was spent doing last min. preparing and cooking. Our family started arriving at noon. The smell of turkey filled the house, kids running about and laughing, cousins playing, family hugging...it doesn't get much better.

After a bit we filled our plates and all sat down (in our assigned spots noted by the little Indian corn name cards that my mom, Chris and I spent late into the night making :) and began enjoying the meal that many hands had prepared.

After a few mins, I moved to the end of the table to help the kids and that's when my day met perfection. I sat looking down at 24 feet of glorious table, 26 people eating, talking, and smiling. I was beaming. Chris caught my eye and knew then that even though it was more work, that letting me use china and making the long table made my heart smile. He quietly smiled a knowing smile.

Even the kids got to eat with china and stemware :)

The day lingered, people left to be with other family, but mom, dad, linds (sister), and syd stayed and enjoyed the evening. Matt and Carly (my brother and his wife) came back around 8pm with the kids and we spent the evening playing games. I couldn't have asked for a better day :)

And of course the day wouldn't have been complete without the trying-to-get-six-kids-ages 6,5 (almost),4,3,2,1-to-smile-and-all-look-in-the-same-direction

picture with Nana and Poppy :)

I AM THANKFUL!!!

Miss this...catching up

It has been way to long. I miss the blog world...reading, writing, pictures. I just haven't made or had the time to sit down and write. I am smack dab in the middle of two online college classes to keep my teaching certification current and they are taking any and all extra time that I have. I love learning, but it is a lot of work. :)

We have been busy this fall. We have had orchard visits, play dates, work, a lot of great family time, and all around fun.

I have things stirring in my heart that I really want to write about, things I am learning and some changes in our lives, but it will have to wait till school is done (5 weeks :) In the mean time here are some fall pictures!

A day at the farm with great friends.

The girls

The boys

Auntie B and the girls

Melia is the only one that would scoop out the seeds from the pumpkins we picked. We didn't carve them, but we made some yummy pumpkin seeds.

Another day at the farm!

The kids LOVED climbing on the old tractors at the farm.

How big is she? She loves her buddy Ty.

Strike a pose!

Parker loved watching the pigs

Eva turned 3!!! We had a great little party. She got a new bike and loves riding it to the park.

My sister made a BEAUTIFUL cake for Eva.

Could she be any cuter...love that girl

A day out with the cousins over labor day weekend

Green bean, apple, and pear picking with my family

pictures, pictures, pictures

It's been a while...the start of the school year (work for me), family fun, birthdays, and just plain life has consumed all my time lately. Here are some pictures from the last few weeks.



The first day of school brought a ton of emotion. Tears, Joy and Stress all in one. Getting three young kids up, dressed, hair done, fed and out the door by 7:15 is no small feat, but we are falling into a routine. I have as much as humanly possible done the night before, to make our morning run smooth. The girls did great with no tears, just shy faces and a little nervouseness in their eyes as I walked out the door. P on the other hand, cries every time I drop him off. I am sure he stops by the time I am to my car, but it breaks my heart leaving him.

The very cute Thirty-One bags, sold to me by my friend Laura, are packed and ready to go.

Some Family Fun

Labor Day weekend always brings the Peach Fest in Romeo. We had a great time at kids day, with all our nieces too.

Waiting for a train ride.

Coming soon a birthday post and some stirrings of my heart :)