Happy to be Giving Thanks!

Happy belated Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday.

I love the simplicity.

I love being with family and friends...

without stress of the perfect gift in hand.

I love, love, LOVE turkey and sweet potatoes, cranberry salad, and PIE.

Haha.

Thanksgiving is delicious.

 

This weekend, we were fortunate enough to visit my momma.

My Granny and Grandpa were there.

My sweet sister and her family were there.

My Momma's baby brother was there wtih his family, too.

We missed the "middle" brother and his family.

We ate waaay too much.

We made plans for our family Christmas.

We laughed and visited.

 

Friday I did NOT attempt to shop the Black Friday sales.

That's not my thing.

Courtney and I did go out Saturday morning.

We met a sweet friend for coffee and then headed to the mall.

Christmas shopping SCORE!  I did great there.

(without the early bird specials and running and fighting over merchandise!)

Yeah ME!

We even came home and wrapped them all up and stashed them under the tree.

#shoppingnearlyfinished!!!!

 

We fried a turkey on Sunday and took it to the home of my inlaws.

We took a lot of sides to go with it, too. 

Ahhh.

Sigh.

Stuffed belly.

Zzzzzz.

#TurkeyComa!

See?

Thanksgiving is deliciously the best.

(in my opinion)

 

I hope your Thanksgiving was delicious!

 

Now, if I could just figure out a good Christmas card picture for our family!!!!

Ideas?

Suggestions?

Still waiting on those.

Let me know if you have a silly idea you're willing to share, okay????

Thanks!!!



Silver Dollar City

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 

I love going to SDC to see the lights at Christmas.

We have enjoyed the parade since the kids were tiny.

Last year was no exception.

This is what we saw while we were there...

 

 

This "toy solder" was marching along and saw this little girl looking at him. 

He silently knelt in front of her and shook her hand. 

It was a beautiful moment. 

That sweet little angel was giddy for the rest of the parade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is our family in front of the tree at the entrance.

 

 

 

 

This is our kids' favorite "non-roller coaster" ride!

I think it is beautiful at dusk.

 

 

 

 

 

Here comes Santa in the parade!

 

 

 

Again, these were shots from a few of our SCD trips last year,

but we are excited about the opportunity to go again soon!!

 

Where do you see your favorite Christmas lights?

Do you take pictures?

How often do you go?

 

These pictures have me ready for a cup of hot chocolate and a light show. 

Maybe we'll go to SDC tomorrow!  

 



Kids say the darndest things!

We have been studying Pilgrims, Native Americans, and the First Thanksgiving in 1st Grade.  We had our own little feast in class this afternoon.  We invited the parents to share in our celebration, too!  As things were winding down, one momma approached me to tell me a story about her son. 

This was just too cute not to share!

While out of town this weekend, they stopped at a Dairy Queen.  During their meal, a large group of Mennonites walked into the DQ.  My PRECIOUS little student got wide eyed, looked at his momma, and quietly whispered....."Look Mom!!!!  Pilgrims just walked in!"

Innocence is delicious!

Colorful

 

There it is.

Finished.

(I think)

 

It's certainly not perfect, but we like it anyway.

Now...I'm heading to the kitchen to start the decorating there. 

Have a delicious day friends!

 

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The stockings are hung by the chimney WITH CARE...
only because they keep falling from there!

Grrrrr.

My stocking holders are not terrific with empty stockings. 
Maybe I should fill them for Santa so they will stay put through December.

Oh well.
The tree is decorated.
The mantle is partially decorated.
I still have a lot to do, but it is a start!

I'll post pictures soon.
(I hope)

Enjoy the week friends!
I cannot believe....
It is the week of Thanksgiving!
What a delicious time of the year.
(Thanksgiving is worthy of a post all it's own.)

Enjoy!

Fabulous Firsts

 

 

First grade is fabulous for yet another reason!

 

This precious baby let me pull her tooth. 

To the ordinary person, that is not a big deal.

I get it.

Let me explain.

 

I am so easily grossed out by all boo-boos, owies, blood,

and bodily fluids in general.....

I have NEVER pulled a tooth in my life.

Until Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

My own children did not trust me with their loose teeth.

Their daddy was allowed to torture them with tooth extraction.

The dentist was known to take 4 or 5 at a time.

I was not even allowed to wiggle them.

(I most likely would have passed out anyway.)

 

For YEARS I have asked the Kinder Kids if they would let me pull their teeth.

Every time someone's tooth got close to being pulled, I would get all excited.

Then...in our business of the day, I would have to say we could try to pull it "tomorrow."

I never wanted to hurt anyone if the tooth wasn't ready!!!

And every single time "tomorrow" came and the tooth had come out the night before,

I would moan and be so sad that I missed another opportunity to pull my first tooth.

(he he he)

 

So...on Monday evening, I received a text from a teacher friend/mommy.

Her baby's first tooth was ready to come out--

and Audrey wanted ME to pull it!

 

Holy Smokes!!!

The pressure!

 

We pulled that tooth out first thing on Tuesday morning.

My hands were shaking.

I was nearly ready to fall out of my chair.

She didn't flinch.

She was so brave!

She just smiled and smiled while I turned her little tooth until it rolled right out!

If you could have heard the cheers and celebrating!!!

(Maybe you did!)

 



 

That little tooth is IN MY HAND!

Oh my goodness.

I was STILL shaking here.

 

We were still hugging to celebrate our bravery in this one.

(The blurriness makes me think Mommy was shaking for this one.)

 

I'm so blessed to have my loving kids in class again this year.

First Graders are incredible.

 

This was a morning I will never forget!

Thank you Audrey (and Mommy and Daddy)

for letting me pull your very first tooth!

 

...and thank you to the Tooth Fairy!

She left ME a bag of chocolates for helping her.

What a deliciously sweet deal!

 

Happy day, friends!

Happy Day!

 

 

 

It begins!

The Christmas tree is up!

It has lights and deco mesh on it.

I will try to refrain from dragging out the rest of the decorations until next weekend.

I'll try!

I can't promise though.