November 2010

~*~ What a way to bring in the new seasons...with a little song and entertainment!

Courtesy of my nephew Cody, of course! I am so impressed and proud of the way he has taught himself to play! I even have a few request lined out for him!

As do his many fans!

~*~ Mark had a few of his favorite peeps over for another poker game. After loading up on stromboli and salad, they headed over to the table and got their game faces on!

This is a very serious time...kids are hushed...grim faces are in place...knees are nervously shaking...

...because as you can see...there is some big time cash up for grabs! Hee-hee!

~*~ Elijah wanted to try out his new borrowed Bumbo! Yes, its pink....its borrowed from Miss Piper...I'm sure if he had his choice it would be in a nice shade of baby blue! But in today economy, you got to do what you got to do...even if it puts a dent in your ego.

A little wobbly at first...but I think he might be warming up to the idea!

Oh yeah...this thing is pretty darn cool! How you likin' me now, ladies?!!?!

~*~ Basketball season has started! As a family, we enjoy watching this sport the most. Madi playes point guard/wing and we are really proud of how much she has improved from last year! CONFIDENCE is a good thing!

~*~ The holiday of the time....THANKSGIVING! I can't even begin to count my blessings one by one, because they have been so abundant...for that I am thankful. We woke up to a colorful, yet chilly morning.

The girls gathered up some of their crafts to display...in this case, two little turkeys!

They then helped me in the kitchen. The perks of belonging to a large family that celebrates with a large dinner is that you only have to make a couple of dishes for Thanksgiving!

While our goodies bake, we sit around and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I have made this a tradition in our house...one that Mark despises! He usually slips off to another room with a TV. That is fine with me...keeps me from having to hide my tears! Yes...I still get teary-eyed at every parade I watch....its weird!

Once noon is here, we head off for the Edwards Thanksgiving dinner...complete with many, many family members and friends....door prizes.....

.....and the "Mile of Misery"! Ohhh....but what a blissful trip it is! Yum!

This pretty much sums up the way we feel by the end of the day!

This year, we headed home earlier than normal and got pretty!

~*~ I arranged the twins bedroom to make more floor room. After a tidy here...and a tidy there...the girls thought they had a whole new room! I don't think they came out for the rest of the night! If that is the secret...I'm hiring a maid!

October 2010

Falltime...one of the most beautiful times of the year. Well, besides springtime...but not much can top that. With such a dry summer, I was afraid that would mean a dull, colorless fall...but it pulled through and gave us a show!

~*~ With the weather taken on a cooler nature, we are quick to light the firepit and break out the marshmallows!

The kids load up the peddle-boat and get bombed with cattails...which can actually be a rather painful game! Is it wrong that I suggest this game...and volunteer to be the "bomber"?!?!? Maybe I need to look into other forms of stress relief...or my kids might end up without any friends!

~*~ To be honest..I really wish this Fall time Tradition would disappear and go far, far away! 1) First of all..pumpkins aren't cheap! 2) Mess...need I explain further? 3) I always have to end up finishing the slimy smelly things while my kids fake hand cramps! And yes, Syd has some funky eyebrow/mustache thing going on...don't ask...I don't have an answer for that one!

When the pumpkins gain personality...and the dark comes and the candles get lit....it is all worth it! I can't complain when I see the girls smile at their toothy creations! I will...however, complain about the fact that is was short lived....the dogs ate them the very next day!

~*~ Fall sports are still in full swing...and that means Red Ribbon Week was upon us!
My favorite day was "Decade Day"...can you guess what decades we chose?

~*~ After a cookout by the pond...a group of teenie-boopers crashed on the floor and enjoyed the movie "To Save a Life". It had some good life lessons that we all can be reminded about!

~*~ It has been years since I braved the crowds of Neewollah, but with Madison and Cody marching in the Kiddie Parade...I just had to get on my game face and hit the busy streets! Luckily, we got their early enough and got great seats to watch the parade . The girls enjoyed it and was happy to be able to dress up!

(More pics posted on my Facebook)

~*~ The next day Aunt Polly and Adam met us once again at Neewollah. The girls had a great time riding the rides and trying out different food booths!

(More pics posted on my Facebook!)

~*~ The Junior High cheerleaders sponsored a costume dance.

I am so glad Madison took her cousin as her date...made my night much more relaxing!

Playhouse 101

The playhouse has landed...and the girls are armed with spraypaint! Being that I am a "there is a place for everything and everything in its place" kind of mom..this was a difficult moment for me to swallow!
They were determined to do it their way...gave me the stink eye...and banned me from the house.

I peeked in the windows.....
...and attempted to enter through the door...only to be reminded off the previous warnings!

As I sulked away...with my tail dragging between my legs...I was called back to be reminded that even though I was not part of the Design Team...I was still loved!

I must admit...I was pleasantly pleased by the end results!

And who I was to doubt?!?!?!

I have a feeling this place is going to be a hit come springtime! Now if I can only get the "secret knock" figured out!