Thanksgiving 2008

We went to my Aunt Peggy and Uncle Ken's house for thanksgiving. It was a fabulous dinner with all the favorites...this year I made a broccoli casserole (recipe from the show "Good Eats"). It didn't turn our quite like I thought it would, but most seemed to enjoy it. It was a small crowd this year: Grandma, Mom, Dad, Peggy, Ken, Christopher, Dana and can't forget Bandit (who Ally fell in love with). It was really nice to see everyone. When dinner was over we headed out for yummy dessert at Jeremy's parents...another small crowd: Grandma Martin, Mom, Dad, Lairen, Becky, Steve, Sydney and Tori. My camera's battery died or I would have attached pics....the kids had a good time playing with cousins and we had a nice visit. We're thankful to live close to most of our family and that we are able to visit both sides..we're very fortunate (even if we don't act grateful at times).

The Pillow

Here's "The Pillow" I talked about in the cross-stiching memories entry. It was lots of fun and I'm hoping to do another kind of like it soon.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Kaitlyn creates a new piece of artwork in her pre-school class each day. These are all of the Thanksgiving related pieces we've collected over the last couple weeks. She just loves to show us her surprises each day.

I'm So Cute!

Jeremy took this picture of Kaitlyn. Each time we take a pic, Kaitlyn asks to see it. Her comment: "OH! I'm so cute!" She was singing her little heart out!

Memories of Cross-Stitching

Okay so growing up mom cross-stitched ALL the time. It is a great talent that she picked up on her own and she does a fantastic job at it! There are some pretty large and quite detailed projects she's done through the years, but has had to give much of it up since loosing some feeling in her hand and her eyes being not as good as they used to be. When I was younger, she showed me some simple stitches and had me do a couple (very small) projects.

Mom's birthday was last week. When I was on the search for the perfect gift...I walked passed an isle with thread and an idea came to mind. I traced the girls hand on material (can't remember the specific name of the cross-stitching fabric) and had the girls help me cross-stitch their hand print (this really tested my patience...I poke the hole, the girls pull it through....ahhhh!)...I really thought it wasn't going to take very long....it was going to be a simple project (just their hands), put it in a hoop and be done. Well....the hoop wasn't big enough and Sunday was approaching fast (couldn't get to a store)....mom's birthday was on Monday. I had to be creative...but have to admit I almost gave her an unfinished gift (actually, two, but that's another story! lol)

I came across a quote..."There's No Place Like Home, Except Grandma's!" I had to add the quote!!! But I would have to come up with my own letter template and place every letter just right...another time consuming task. The girls and I then decided it would be neat if we could make Grandma a pillow...they were so excited (I was too...but how in the world would I do that without mom's help!). I had made a couple quilts last year (that too without mom's help)....I decided to try and was able to piece a few extra fabric scraps together to border the stitchery. Once that was complete, I didn't have a pillow that would work quite right so I made my own pillow form with extra batting I had (that could have worked, but the form wasn't big enough and it looked pretty bad).

Mom's birthday was here. Did I mention, Ally got sick the night before? The picture above is her finishing the pinky finger all by herself! She came down with Strep throat and was miserable. We were unable to see mom on her birthday and had a couple extra days to get this project done. Ally was a great helper and I was glad it helped keep her mind off of how miserable she felt. I stayed up until midnight (after getting the right pillow form from the store) and the whole thing finally came together. Unforfuntely, I don't have a picture yet, but I will get one soon and will post it.

It was a great flash back: to recall all the moments watching mom put together her pieces of art...that have gone to so many friends and family throughout the years. It's through example that others come to do what they do. Thanks Mom! I know this was a gift to you...but this is also a gift (that's been in waiting) from you to me.

Snuggling with Daddy

Kaitlyn and Sydney

Kaitlyn got to go to Grandma and Grandpa's while Ally and I were at the theater and daddy was off hunting. Kaitlyn had a great time! Sydney and Kaitlyn were taking pics of each other....this is one of the pics (not sure who took this one...but it sure is cute).

Mama/Daughter Date Night

My wonderful friend Arica surprised me with an early Christmas gift on Ally's birthday, 4 tickets to the Children's Theater/James and the Giant Peach. Arica already had tickets and took her mother and 2 of her 4 daughters. Jeremy wasn't too interested in going and Kaitlyn was a little too young for that particular story line. So I decided to take our friends Jen and Hannah (Jen's daughter). We are very fortunate to have Jen's mother living next door to us, therefore the girls get to play quite often. Ally and Hannah loved getting dressed up and having a girls night....so did Jen and I (didn't get dressed up, but enjoyed the evening). Everywhere we went the girls were smiling and told everyone how they were on a date with their mama. It was a sweet experence. Just wish I would have got a picture with Ally and I that night (and at the theater).



We were able to take the girls on the boardwalk next to the river while we waited to get into Beaches Restaurant. The girls loved going to the treasure chest when they were through eating (the mask was one of the treasures they received).



Ally and Hannah came out and surprised Kaitlyn and I with a concert the other day. They were so pleased to be playing their instruments and to be singing Jingle Bells (yes, our family is already getting in the spirit of things).

Helping Sister!

This morning, Ally was making her bed as fast as she could ....but needed to move to the next task before leaving for the bus stop. Kaitlyn decided to help Ally by finishing the bed (by herself)...she placed all the pillows and stuffed animals on the bed. She put a BIG smile on Ally's face. Ally likes the new way to place the animals on the bed and made the comment "boy, she sure did decide to be nice today". We both think Kaitlyn did a great job!

King Benjemin

This morning while eating breakfast, we read about King Benjemin and how he's commanded parents to teach their childen not to fight and argue and to teach them to be obedient. Ally's eyes grew wide. It was so funny and it brought light to her little spirit....this last week has been challenging....The girls have argued quite a bit and Ally says I'm so mean at least 3 times a day. I'm constantly telling the girls how much I love them but need to teach them the correct ways to do things! Maybe today will be different and I won't be so mean :-)

Our Little Princesses!

The girls had SO much fun! We started at Aaron and Katie's, went the church for trunk or treating, then went to Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood. The girls trick-or-treated from 5:45pm to 8pm and not once did Kaitlyn ask us to hold her (that's a miracle). The only time she complained is when the bag got too heavy. Jer and I wanted to be done around 7pm, but after seeing how much fun the girls were having....we had to keep going! They're too darn cute!!!! We all had a blast!

Mama's gotta play a part too!

The girls and I tried and tried to get daddy to dress-up also...he just wouldn't give in!!! We're kinda surprised, since it's one of his favorite holidays! I guess us girls will have all the fun!

Kanooth Klan

We all met at Aaron and Katie's for the yearly trick or treating in their neighborhood....so glad the cousins are close to go together!

Can't forget little Tori!

Little Tori was dressed so sweet for the occassion! She was missing from the group photo.