Christmas at Bass Pro Shop

How many days till Christmas?....36  Yes just 36 more days.  I think when it gets down to thirty one we should all get new bags ;)  I know it is not even Thanksgiving and it does feel like that is skipped over since it is less than a week away.  I have done nothing for thanksgiving yet but our Thanksgiving tree.  No plans, no idea, no grocery list, no time.  We have not even watched it A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving this year.



But I will make that happen real soon.

Everything is Christmas.  In the stores, since August, it has been all Christmas.  In our home everyone has been focused on Christmas.  What they want, what they want to give.  What they don't think a certain brother should get because he has been mean.  (And that certain brother is not a particular one.  It is who ever upsets them at the moment)

The other weekend they even went to see the man in red.  HOHO as Smiley calls him.



Well the boys did at least.  My parents swung by on there way to Bass Pro Shop.  Up there not only did they get to see Santa but there cousins were there also.



I wish Faith had gone she has never meet my little nephew Jacob.



In fact I only have seen him once.  When he was just 2 weeks old.  But I do love him and I think he is a cutie.  He and Faith are 1 month apart.  Hopefully at Christmas we can get all 6 of them together.

Along with the kids i sent my camera.  My parents got a few shots off for me.  One of each of the kiddos riding the carousel.


My brother Randy and my nephew Jacob


My little Evan


Smiley I think this was his first carousel ride?


My favorite niece Danica


Gregory my wonderful son

Wow wish I could have been there.  Even for a girl I like Bass Pro Shop.  There is enough fun stuff to do.  And there aquarium is awesome.  But I am sure I will be up there soon enough.  In the mean time, the quiet time Faith and I had at home.  We curled up on the couch and watch Berlin City Ballet presentation of the Nutcracker.  I love on demand and I love having a little girl to watch the Nutcracker with.

The Thanksgiving Tree

I am thankful I get to have breakfast and dinner with my kids everyday.  Not only is it a good time to be with them as they start their day and end it but throughout the whole month each night we write down on a leaf what we are thankful for.  We add the leaves to our thankful tree.



They are thankful for so many varied things.  Some are sweet, some are funny, a lot our their interests, and a few necessities.  God, Faith, and family are very present.  All wonderful thoughts.

Eggs

This week Evan learned to make scrambled eggs. This week Faith ate her first scrambled eggs and loves them. He is just as happy to make them for her as she is to eat them.  A perfect match up.

11-11-11

What a day, we won't have another like it for 13 more months, 12-12-12.  Honestly I am tired of hearing all the comments about it.  No reason they should be getting to me but they are.  I do believe that it is the perfect day to get married or birth a child, if you are like me and can never remember any dates.  Nope not even the kids birthdays.  They correct me all the time.  But I do love lists and what a perfect day for a top 11 list!  Here are my top 11 favorite things on 11-11-11.

1.  Shades of Wyldemor I have been coming back to the site daily this week and just loving the dresses.  I encourage you to check them out but don't buy any just in case I want to commit to that dress.  (they are one of a kinds)



2. My computer it keeps me connected.





3. Taking pictures and editing them.  But I would love it even more with a much needed new camera.



4. My kids school.  It is just awesome.  I love the school, I love the teachers, I love the philosophy, and I love how much they love it.  It is the best place for them and they are thriving.



5. Drooling over thanksgiving menus.  I have been flipping through magazines.  Wasting time on food network.  Looking over printables to go with the meals online.  Yum I truly love the Thanksgiving menu and can't wait to eat.



6. Hair bows.  I just think they are the greatest and love dressing up Faith in them.



7. Modern Family.  That show makes me laugh.  Not that I get a chance to watch it but enjoy it when I do.



8. My pellet stove.  It keeps me warm and I love to sit on top of it (and yes I am amazingly able to withstand the heat and not get burned if wearing clothes) and read my magazines.



9.  My job.  I am learning so much, teaching so much and finding joy and accomplishment in my work.  I truly feel loved and appreciated 



 Can you believe this they even make braille wine labels!



10. My church Five Forks Church it is simply the best we have ever been to.  I love going there, all the activities it offers, all the friends I have made, the positives influences on my children, the childcare so I to can learn.  It is there I have built my faith and my love for God and his church.



11.  You knew this one was coming.... MY KIDS!!!!  Love them everyday!  SO much, they are such blessing.  Just the best and I am so proud of them.

baby wants to play checkers

The other day the big boys got a new checkers game.  And even though she is only 7 months she wants to do everything they do.  She wants to be with them all the time.  She wants them tickling and cooing over her.  She is just as excited about them as they are enamored with her.  So of course she wants to play too.



She wanted to so badly she tried crawling out of her chair to get to them.  She is determined.



But in the essence of keeping it real.  A real life look in to my place on a Saturday afternoon with all the kids home.  God love them mess and all.

The love notes begin

My sweet Evan came home the other day with his first love letter.  Big giddy smiles over here because it is just cute right now.



It is hard to understand as it was wrote by a 6 year old to my 6 year old.  But I think it says:

I love Evan he's my best friend. And from there no one in our house can figure it out.  But the picture of them holding hands with a heart above it pretty much gives it away.

So sweet.

But what am I going to do when its real?



At least I got time to think about it.

Guess who has been hanging out here?

Yup the jolly red man Kris Kringle , St. Nick.. Santa Clause.



He has been having breakfast and dinner with us for some time now.  I know how much people hate rushing the holidays and how much distaste there is for Christmas decorations at labor day, before Halloween even thanksgiving.  But as soon as the countdown hit 99 days we got Santa from the shed and have enjoyed him everyday since.

The boys are getting excited.  I am too.  A lot of shopping is done.  No other decorations are out.  For the next month we will focus on Thanksgiving but then after black Friday it will be all Christmas around here.  I am so excited, I am so hopeful, I know what I want for Christmas.  ( A good camera, my family, wink wink)

But truly I am looking forward to reading Luke again this holiday season.  What a way to prepare your heart, mind and home for the real reason for the season.