Day 334/365

I love walking by the living room when it is decorated for christmas.
The peacefulness of it beckons me & I long to sit in there with a book and a hot drink.
Though I don't have the opportunity to enjoy it during the day, Dan and I will often sit in here at night during the holidays to catch up in the evening and enjoy the serenity.
The perfect way to end a day.

Day 333/365

Bugaboo got a haircut today.
Kerri put ringlets in it and oh, the Bug loved it.
She was not cooperative for a photo, though this crying is over a teeny tiny spider that was on the house.
We are SO three.

Day 332/365

It's bothering the kids that our tree doesn't have a star.
(It met it's demise in the last couple years and I haven't found one that I like to replace it).
So Matthew made a star.
I loved how he decorated it ~ totally on his own doing.
It made me feel like perhaps he's getting it.
Better than any store bought star, for sure.

Day 331/365

A BUSY day...
"Jingle" our elf arrived back into town along with a "North Pole Breakfast" before church.
(an idea copied of a cute blog I follow) to kick off our Advent season.
"Snowballs" (powdered sugar donuts) "snowflakes" (peppermint white chocolate pretzels) and snowflake shaped pancakes was our not so nutritious, but totally theme-worthy breakfast.
The kids opened christmas books & ornaments from Nana & PJs from Mama.
Our family lit the advent candle at church today.
We made our advent wreath and had fun dressing up for a nativity photo (which sadly, I can't seem to get off my email and onto my hard drive to share).
And working on Decking the Halls!
A fun & busy day!

Day 330/365

Thanksgiving came down today and Christmas started going up.
All of the kids have worn these pjs.
They are nearly too small for the Bug so a photo was in order to mark the memory.
Dan and I were both feeling quite nostalgic over these.

Day 329/365

I snapped this photo at the mall while Mom was making a purchase.
Black Friday.
15 hours of shopping.
Lunch at Newport Bay with Michelle & Glenda.
I always bring my Christmas planner (a spiral notebook from the dollar area at Michael's)
along with coupons, ads of things I want to remember, and my list.
Most of my shopping is done in a single day.
It's exhausting, but I love getting it done!

Day 328/365

Thanksgiving 2011
Our house.
Nana, Grammie & Grandpa, David, Mike's family, Dale & Glenda.
15 gathered around the table giving thanks.
Memories:
Making our "Thankful Tree" the night before.
The turkey finishing WAY before the Ham.
Thanksgiving Mad libs and laughing little boys.
The appetizer table catching on fire.
Katie dispensing crowns/hair adornments to everyone.
Wii. Wii. Wii.
Lots of help from everyone & an easy, happy holiday!

Day 327/365

Thanksgiving Eve is a busy, busy day.
Setting the table, brining the turkey, making gravy stock, arranging flowers....
And while it's busy, I enjoy it very much and am happy to do it.

Day 326/365

I was able to help in Matthew's class for the first time this year during "friendship circles."
The kids sewed miniature versions of rugs like the pilgrims did.
I had a great time sewing with Matthew.  He loved it and asked if he could sew at home!

Day 325/365

Gobble Gobble!
Katie wears her turkey hat at the Circle Of Friends Thanksgiving Feast.
I was happy to be a parent helper and have a fun morning with my girl.

Day 324/365

With 7 days of rain in the forecast, the Bug enjoyed some sunshine & leaf jumping this afternoon. Probably the last of the season. Most of the leaves have now fallen, and with the chilly temperatures, it feels like winter is right around the corner!

Day 323/365

Cleaning day!
We are getting ready for our family & our big thanksgiving dinner!
Jim Brickman's "Faith" CD made cleaning toilets & scrubbing floors more enjoyable.

Day 322/365

Shannon kept Katie and Andrew for me today while I had an appointment.
They kids had a GREAT time ~ making turkey cupcakes and playing!
I think they'd be happy if they could move in with Auntie Shannon!  :)
Thank you, friend!  It was much appreciated!

Day 321/365

Matthew brought home this letter for Andrew from school:
"Dear Andrew, You are the best bro ever!  Hope I can play Angry Birds, Wii, Mario and computer with you.  Hope to see you at school.  We could also play Legos together.  We could make a video, draw, and make a play!  Let's go have a goooooooooooooooood day.  Sincerely, Matthew"

It made me smile.

Day 320/365

Finding a 20 lb. unaltered turkey (no "butter basting" etc.) usually requires 3 - 4 stops each year.
This year, Costco was the winner!
Third stop.
The Bug said, "Awww, Mama, he's so cute! He's slippery! It's it a girl turkey or a boy turkey? I think it's a girl turkey."
She's obsessed with opening it and seeing inside.
Somehow, I don't think it's quite what she's picturing. :)

Day 319/365

The Bug loves ponies and purple.
She chose this picture for us to color together one afternoon.
One of my favorite things to do with the kids.

Day 318/365

The kids do the cutest things.
Andrew made this tower for his little bunny, then fed him a marshmallow.
I just love the things they come up with.

Day 317/365

The kids had a great time decorating the Christmas tree for Dad's grave before leaving town.
Mom purchased ornaments that had everyone's name on them.
Andrew hung his next to Noah's.
Matthew hung his next to Isaiah's.
Katie hung hers next to Aunt Michelle's.
The tree turned out so sweet.  I'm glad we could all do this with Mom.
It's a special tradition.

Day 316/365

This is the spot where Matthew's beloved bear Gus,
arrived into his arms on his first Christmas 8 years ago.
They sit beneath the tree that we put up and decorated today.
All of the gold beads were courtesy of the Bug. :)

Day 315/365

Over the river and through the Gorge to Nana's house we go!
But first a stop to Starbucks for a little Christmas in a cup.
An Eggnog Latte makes me one happy girl.  A treat!

Day 314/365

I was happy to gift Dan with some quiet time this evening on his birthday.
He enjoyed reading his book in the living room while I prepared dinner.
In this photo however, he was reading my blog post that I had written for him.
Happy 38th birthday, my love.

Day 313/364

One of my smiles for the day.


(No worries, I was at a stop sign when I took this photo).  :)

Day 312/365

"Hat Day" at pre-school today!
Katie was a "Princess Snowflake" and kept wondering what sort of princesses the other girls would be!

Day 311/365

Bugisms from today:
As she came downstairs with the "UNO" deck of cards....
"Mama, do you want to play Noodle?"
And after telling her before nap that she grows in her sleep, first thing she said after naptime:
"I saw my bones growed!"

Day 310/365

One of the most dreaded days of the year.
We did Christmas Card pictures today.
Have mercy.
We survived.
Ice cream cones helped to make us all like one another again.  :)

Day 309/365

Even with a vacant chair next to me, Matthew chose to sit on my lap during Andrew's soccer game.
A rare and very welcomed treat.

Day 308/365

The Bug took a break from sweeping with Daddy to say goodbye as I was leaving to meet a friend for dinner.
Love that little Bugaboo.

Day 307/365

An early morning fort in Katie's room before school.

Day 306/365

Late afternoon snugly story time with Daddy.

Day 305/365

After a miserable, wet, spring and a not so hot summer, we are having a beautiful fall.
Sure, a little rain here and there, but for the most part, crisp cold air and sunshine!
Loving every minute of it!!