Thanksgiving 2011

This year we all went to my parents for Thanksgiving. My Mom's cousins flew in for one day just to spend Thanksgiving with us. We had never met them. My Mom and Dad grew up with them, but we (the kids) had never met them. It was great to meet more family. And my Mom's cousin Kenny made a video to show all of us from when they were all younger. That was awesome to see. It made a few in the room get really teary. There were pictures of them as young kids, with old friends and family. I never knew my mom's grandma and I couldn't get over how much she looks like my Nanny. It was so nice to meet some more extended family. Needless to say they had never had fried turkey-a first for them- and they loved it. But who doesn't love Cajun fried turkey?!?
We have so much to be thankful for and we spent a lot of time last week reflecting on all that God has given us. I can't believe Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is around the corner.
Here are a few pictures of our Thanksgiving this year.

Felt Christmas Tree

I LOVE Pinterest. I found it last Spring and I only had one other friend on there. It has now exploded. People don't get it, until they try it and then they understand the addiction. I don't know how many people have told me, I just don't get that site?!? And then they can't keep off it once they try it. It is especially fun if you like to do crafts. And get decorating ideas. And recipes. And style tips. Party planning. You name it, you can find it. And if you are online and want to remember something, just pin it to your pinterest account and it saves it all in a file for you. How cool is that??

Recently I found a felt Christmas Tree craft that a lady said she had made for under 3.00. I thought my kids would like it so I decided to give it a try. Mine was more around 10.00 but I definitely could have bought less felt. I have a ton left over. I liked the idea of doing the alphabet on some of the ornaments. I thought it would be good, fun practice for Hadley, and fun for G and E to make words. I knew the most fun part would be for the kids to make the ornaments. And boy was I right- they loved it.

Here they are making their ornaments for the tree that is now hanging in their game room upstairs.  I think it will be a hit that will last all season!

Private or Not Private

So I have this thing on my blog called Site Meter. It tells me where people come from when they get on my blog, how long they are on, what pages they read, and where they go when they leave. I have noticed that there are people from all over the world getting on. One place in particular is Lithuania. Lithuania, Lithuania...who are you?!?
I know people will stumble onto my blog that I don't know, and that is fine. But when I see that someone keeps logging on and never comments, it just makes me start wondering....who are you??
I made my blog private a few days ago and a lot of you emailed me asking about it.....and this is why. I gave my nurse at MD Anderson permission to give out my blog address for others who go through what I did last year...so maybe some of you have come from there. Maybe you just like my blog...or my blog music...that is fine too. I would just like to know who all of you are.
So here is the deal.... if you are reading my blog regularly, will you comment and let me know?? Even if you are a stranger?? It would make me feel a lot better knowing. If I know who you are...(even if I don't really know you)...I will keep my blog public.
Otherwise, I think I may go private. And in that case, for those of you who read regularly and want to keep reading, I will need your email addresses.
So, if you are reading this....Who Are YOU????

O' Christmas Tree...O' Christmas Tree

Last year we got the tree up later than usual, this year we were early. The tree is up and ornaments are hung. I love this time of year!!!

Officially a Daisy

Although we have been meeting for a few months now, today Ellie officially became a Girl Scout Daisy. She was given her vest tonight and her first few petals. Her troop is made up of most of the girls from her class so that is fun. I was hesitant to sign her up, but so far she is loving it, so I am glad I did. She was excited to get her vest tonight and can't wait for me to iron on the petals she has earned so far. :)

Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast

Our little Pilgrim had her Thanksgiving Feast at her school today. I had to make 60 of these pilgrim girl outfits. I initially followed the example given to me and cut out 60 butterfly shapes because my example was wrong. Oh how I was NOT happy that day. But today was great because the other 60 that I cut out correctly were being worn all through Kindergarten, and one was on Ellie. :)

They sang two little songs and enjoyed their Feast. It was kind of an afternoon snack because they had lunch an hour before. She was happy to have us there. And happy to get to come home early. :)

Turkey Dance

On Tuesday in Ballet, Hadley had her first turkey dance recital. She was excited that Daddy and I got to come into the room. They showed us their dance and then they asked for all the Daddy's to come up and do the dance with their daughters. Guess who wanted Mommy to dance with her instead? I tried and the teacher tried talking her into dancing with her Daddy. But she just wasn't having it. She ran to the chairs. So I walked out there and did the turkey dance with her. She is a cute little turkey. Not sure why she didn't want Daddy dancing with her. Maybe because that is what they wanted her to do and she likes to dance to her own beat. Sometimes with her it is best to just say the opposite of what you want to get her to do something. Ha! But I enjoyed my dance with her. ;0)

Princess Bubble Bath

Princess Bubble Bath was the Indian name Hadley chose for herself this year. :) She was VERY excited that Frank and I were both coming to eat lunch with her today for her Thanksgiving Feast. They made their outfits and all looked so cute.
Hads helped me make fruit kabobs for the feast. She was very excited to share them.


They make these cute little place mats every year. I still have every single one the other kids have made through the years.


Here comes our little Indian. Princess Bubble Bath.


Hads and her girlfriends were all giggles. Daddy was doing something funny above me while I tried to get a shot of them. ;)


I love her preschool. It has definitely been a blessing to our family over the last six years. I can not believe that we only have one more Thanksgiving feast there. Now that is hard to believe.

End of the Season

What a great first season of baseball it was for Gavin. Their team was number ONE for the season. They were the only undefeated team....until the play-offs. Sadly, they experienced their first loss in the semi finals and they were devastated. They were heart broken, but it just wasn't their night. We were all so proud of the boys and the fantastic job they did. And reminded them that overall they were the number 1 team and that is a harder title to win. They boys all became great friends and worked so well together. We are sad the season is over. I had no idea how much Gavin would love baseball, and no idea how much we would either.
Gavin had his team party on Saturday night and the coach said so many nice things about each boy. Gavin was beaming when he mentioned he had 21 hits in the last 6 weeks. It was such a positive and encouraging experience all season long. We definitely feel blessed to have been on this team. Here is Gavin with his first baseball Coach and trophy.