Our Thankful board!

Need we say more! We worked very hard on this the entire month of November.
We took Novemeber to truly be thankful. Even Poppa participated! The girls really got into this and enjoyed it. We had a list of many more, but couldn't fit everything on the board. Our board consisted of stickers, art work, writing and lots of love. I loved hearing about some of the things they came up with.

Christmas time at the mall

It seems as if the past couple of years around Christmas time we spend a few hours each weekend at the mall without even any shopping, excluding a little build a bear once in awhile. We usually see Santa, ride the mall train a few times, check out the Disney store, eat pizza and cookies and pass the time away. The kids love it!

Look at me mom, no training wheels!

Look at this girl go! I came outside and Poppa was in the process of taking Lexi's training wheels off, I went back in for 2 minutes to get everyone water, came back out and their was Lexi riding down the street with no training wheels and no help. Literally, happened just like that! This girl was ready a year ago, but this momma was not quite ready. Little did I know. I guess I should stop being so overprotective ... nope, she will always be my baby!

Ernie is back ... with a sister?!

Ernie the elf is back. The girls missed him and look forward to him coming every year. We wonder what mischievous behaviors he will partake in this year? Keep a good eye on those Cleveland kids Ernie ... report all the news to Santa!

Enjoying Thanksgiving with the family

Today we spent the day at Auntie Laurie's. We had all the yummy food and got to enjoy our family. The girls love playing with Ella and Gavin loves trying to keep up. The girls and I worked on Thanksgiving treats and place mats while auntie Laurie worked on our dinner. This worked out the best, trust me! This momma has not quite graduated to an entire Thanksgiving meal yet. With Thanksgiving we remind our self how thankful we really are ... how thankful we are for such wonderful, amazing family!

The kids are down and I sit and reflect ...

I love Thanksgiving! I of course am thankful for the obvious ... an amazing strong family, beautiful, happy and healthy children, our health and the list could go on. I am also thankful for the simple things. Things like baby wipes (have been buying them for 6 years now and probably will buy them for the rest of my life), crayons, glue dots and kitchen scissors ... all of which I can't imagine getting through the day without. I am thankful for the open mouth kisses that are a staple in a 20 month olds day, the desire I have to want to be healthy (b/c man it is hard some days), for a husband who is not only truly amazing but also believes in the importance of family dinners, quality time with the kids and goes along with all my "cheesy" traditions ... just because! I am thankful that I had today and pray that I will have tomorrow. May we all be blessed in abundance and be thankful for all that we have. Happy Thanksgiving to my beautiful and amazing family!!

The Eve of Thanksgiving

So the kids are down and I sit and reflect. I love Thanksgiving! I of course am thankful for the obvious ... an amazing strong family, beautiful, happy and healthy children, our health and the list could go on. I am also thankful for the simple things. Things like baby wipes (have been buying them for 6 years now and probably will buy them for the rest of my life), crayons, glue dots and kitchen scissors ... all of which I can't imagine getting through the day without. I am thankful for the open mouth kisses that are a staple in a 20 month olds day, the desire I have to want to be healthy (b/c man it is hard some days), for a husband who is not only truly amazing but also believes in the importance of family dinners, quality time with the kids and goes along with all my "cheesy" traditions ... just because! I am thankful that I had today and pray that I will have tomorrow. May we all continue to be blessed in abundance and be thankful for all that we have. Happy Thanksgiving to my most amazing family!!

Carli the pilgrim traveled the very crowded Mayflower

It was rough seas, rainy and stormy weather, very crowded and very little to eat (only dried bread), but it sure was fun ... wait it was the preschool playground transformed to the Mayflower!

somebody made it into the shoe tying club

Wow! My determined Lexi made it into the shoe tying club approximately 1 day after Miss Linda started the club. Lexi was so proud of her big accomplishment. She choose a special shirt to wear for this milestone of an occasion!

If this does not say Lexi, I am not sure what does!

This could not say Lexi anymore than it does, it speaks for itself ... a lizard made from pink and green glitter! This was Lexi's second kindergarten project, an anole lizard from the Mangrove habitat.

tennis lessons for Carli

Today was Carli's first tennis lesson. She was so excited!! Last week was suppose to be her first lesson but the rain put a damper in that. Carli was dressed in her tennis outfit at 7:30 in the morning, she was making sure she was ready. Coach Christine said she did awesome, Carli said she loved it ... so it looks like we will be going back.

Smiling is contagious

Look at this handsome boy, waiting to get his picture taken. Let's hope when we get into the room to see Santa and get our pictures taken he smiles this much!

Peace on Earth Day

Unity school does peace on earth day each year. The girls practice their earth and kindness songs all the time and are always so excited to bring mommy and poppa to this special day. Unity is a "green" school ... they practice recycling and other earth friendly practices on a regular basis.

Trick or Treat

Halloween ... In true Lexi fashion, we were transformed into Lexi the zookeeper, Carli the tiger princess and Gavin our monkey. We went trick or treating with Auntie Tamara, Uncle D and our cousins Darren and Talia. Gavin had so much fun ... he of course tried each treat as we left each and every house. I think he tasted about a pounds worth of candy. Carli and Lexi are pro's at this by now, of course picking and choosing through the candy bowls exactly what they liked. Three pumpkin pails of candy equals a very successful night.