Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

With the snow and the Christmas decor up, it is really feeling like Christmas. We've really tried to have the real spirit of Christmas in our home this year. It has been a fun and peaceful time.


Anna had her Christmas recital last week. They did such a good job. With her slender figure she looks very graceful on the dance floor.

I have been shopping and feel like I got almost everything done.

We went and saw Santa on Saturday. Anna and Abby had written notes to Santa with things they wanted. Abby wanted a play laptop, really bad. Then while chatting with Santa she REALLY wanted a play kitchen. Santa was so generous saying, "That sounds like something we can do." Hmmmm. . . When I asked her about the laptop, she said, "I want the kitchen more!"

Saturday night, Mike and I went out and finished up a little more Christmas shopping. Except for a few things I need to make, I think we are done! :) Time to start wrapping. . .

I tried

to get tickets to Wicked today. I tried with 2 computers and 1 phone all going at the same time . . .nothing. They are sold out. :(
If anyone has connections, let me know. ;)

Happy Birthday Mikey!

On the 3rd Mike turned the big 3-5! We celebrated on the 2nd because he was actually out of town on the big day. It was fun to have family over with some cake and ice cream.
Mike is very caring about others. He tries to be thoughtful of others needs and feelings.
He is a good teacher, to others, as well as our children. That is one of the things I love about him.
He is funny.
I love to hang out with him, I just like to be with him.
I am so happy that I get to spend my days with him and enjoy our lives journey together. He has been there for me in many ways and tries to make me happy, I hope I do the same for him.
Happy Birthday! I love you!



By the way, I was feeling so youthful because I am almost 4 years younger than he is. ;)That was all ruined today when Abby asked me if cars were made when I was born. Hellooooo! How old does she think I am?!
I guess when you're a kid, all you know is your parents are OLD. . .

Catching Up

Finally Posting Thanksgiving! We met Mike's cousin Andy's family and Jill's family for a wonderful feast!





Before we ate Anna read to us her Thankful Scroll that she made in school, burnt edges and all. We were all very impressed. It set the mood for being thankful for all of our blessings, then it was time to dig in!


Earlier that morning I had to watch "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" of course. Mike teases me saying, "Can't you just call it The Parade?" But no, I can't. It's just one of those things you have to say all of it and watch all of it. I peeled potatoes during commercials.
Its been a tradition since I was a kid and now because I get so excited about it and talk about it like it is the best thing on earth, my kids love it, too! :)

We talked, laughed, played games, and kept an eye on 9 kids. The little community where we stayed had an indoor pool, so there was a lot of swimming going on! It was fun.

Aaron and Shadow were BFFs. Shadow even slept on Aaron's bed, which for some reason I think is gross, but Aaron totally loved it! When he's happy going to bed, I'm happy. ;)


I snapped a few shots of Andy's family for their Christmas cards. (no pressure!) I reminded them several times I am SO not a professional and I don't even know how to work my camera yet. Hope they found one they liked!

It was nice to spend some time with Jill's family, too. We really miss them.

To add to the excitement we got rearended on I-15 on the way home. 4 cars involved, not our fault, no injuries and only minor damage to our bumber (although the poor car that started the chain reaction was totalled, thats too bad). But everyone was OK, another thing to be grateful for!