Four days

We had one of the busier weekends that I think we have ever had over the Thanksgiving holiday. We saw a ton of family and besides sleeping were in our house less than a couple hours!

We started Thanksgiving morning at my grandparent's house. Most of the family was able to be there, which was nice for my grandma. She starts her second round of chemo this week so it was a big, happy occasion to take her mind off it. Like I mentioned before, I am the oldest grandchild so many of my cousins are closer to my kids age- or even younger! I wish I had a picture of the number of people there- there are 19 cousins alone, not counting significant others and their children. The kids had a blast and we stayed all day until bedtime.

Great Grandma picked Sissy up earlier in the week and took her back to her house to prepare the tables. This was one of 7, I think. Hey, there were over 30 people! Sissy loved helping out.

Kids tables downstairs. Everyone had a little flower bud on their plate for decoration. Big Boy picked it up and said "Mama, I don't wanna eat my flower!"

Sissy had a great time and kept coming upstairs to do dances or shows for us.


On Friday I braved the crowds and started shopping around 5:45. I was fairly pleased with what I came home with. It wasn't a whole lot, but I got some gifts done and got what I wanted. I took the kids to the Y with me and then we headed to my mom's house for the afternoon/evening to play with cousins some more and have a pizza party.

Saturday we headed to Colwich to Pat's parent's. His brother was there with his wife and kids and the kids got to help grandma decorate her house and get out all of the Christmas stuff. I attempted to get some pics of the kids...





But when even Sissy isn't cooperating- I know I need to be done for awhile. So I put the camera done and held my baby niece! :)




That afternoon we went to visit Pat's extended family. His cousins and their significant others took the kids outside and they played frisbee and ball. It was a beautiful day, we couldn't have asked for any better.




That evening we went to my grandpa's baptism at Central Christian. It was a wonderful thing to witness and take part in. Then we said goodbye to cousins until Christmas!




On Sunday we wanted to get a lot accomplished- but we didn't realize one of our projects would take literally hours and hours. Every year we put up a weak attempt at lights- just a few icicle ones about the windows. And every year we say how we need to do the entire roofline so it doesn't look so stupid. This year Pat braved potential broken bones and got on the roof to complete the task. Big Boy was so envious.


We knew last year we had received some more outdoor decor so we went to pull it out. What we didn't realize was how much. We remembered this ballerina hippo my brother got Sissy, we did not remember the 7 foot snowman or moving deer.




And believe it or not- this isn't even all of it. We tried to make it look the best we could but were somewhat limited (because of power cords) on where things could go. So it is what it is and, of course, the kids are in love with it!


Ta-da!




The kids also finished the tree decorating. Now, I adore every second of Christmas and had my tree and other decor out before Thanksgiving. But this was our first chance to complete the ornaments.












And the Christmas countdown begins!!!

Thanksgiving prep

This last weekend Pat and I enjoyed a getaway to KC. We stayed on the Plaza, walked around, ate a lot, and did some Christmas shopping. On Sunday we went to the Kansas City Chiefs game which was super fun- especially because they won!

Tailgating (we met some friends up there)








We came home and got right back into the daily grind with preparations for Thanksgiving and the busy week ahead! I've already been to Target 3 times, Wal-Mart once, and Dillons once in two days in an effort to gather all I need for some cooking, baking, and some deals on Christmas toys!!

Yesterday the kids had their Thanksgiving parties at school. Sissy's school put on a little performance for us and sang some songs.









Then I headed over to Big Boy's class to make some necklaces and chow down on a Thanksgiving feast!










Gma K also helped me dash back and forth between the two kids' rooms. Her class dressed up like pilgrims and indians today so she was dressed for the occasion.




After Sissy's party concluded she came in to Big Boy's class and they showered each other with affection


And admired each other's decor...



We'll be around here for Thanksgiving but it will still be crazy. We will spend Thanksgiving Day at my grandma's with my little cousins and the kids are SUPER excited about seeing them again. On Friday I'll be out shopping at 5 or so and hopefully finishing my list. And then we will complete our Christmas decorating by putting the ornaments on the tree. On Saturday we'll be heading over to Pat's uncles' house and then to church that afternoon to see my grandpa get baptized! Whew! Off to begin some baking and jello making!

Daddy's night

Nothing too significant to report last week, except for a wonderful thing called "Dad's Night" at preschool where fathers take the kids out for the evenings and mommas get some free time! The kids love, love, love this and have been looking forward to it for weeks. They each got to take Daddy to their classroom for special games and crafts and also to chapel to sing their favorite songs. I got some time to run around time and pick up Christmas gifts!





I also attempted to take some pics for the Christmas card. Compiling pictures is not easy. Of all of the cards we send out, now half of the recipients are on facebook and see our kids' pictures regularly. The other half probably have no idea what the kids look like! So, I thought I would take a couple quick shots just for some new pictures to use.

Sissy was more than willing to oblige. Big Boy, however, has 2 looks-
a) I am a cheeseball


b)If I raise my eyebrows that is equivalent to me smiling.


And so goes about 80 pics taken on Saturday. Needless to say, Big Boy will have another photo session this week when I can think of something better to prompt a more natural facial expression. However, unless I sink to his level and start saying hilarious things like "poop" I'm not sure how this will work.

He was being very funny the other day- jumping off the couch and yelling "Jesus lives. Jesus dies. Jesus lives." I said, "T, what are you talking about?" He said he was talking like his teacher at school and he began to spout off a prayer "thank you Jesus for school. Thank you for momma. Thank you for Daddy." Lovely! And then "I want a robot and a Leapster and a spaceship and a fire truck..." A prayer and a Christmas list combined- either the saddest thing ever or the smartest!

Ode to Shutterfly and their holiday cards

I became obsessed with Shutterfly almost 5 years ago when I had my little Sissy. I would upload 25 pictures a day of her and send out their albums to all of our family and friends with 200 pictures in them. After having an agonizingly boring Christmas card that year that did not accurately express the cuteness of my child, I turned to Shutterfly. I love that I can order beautiful holiday cards that are easy to design and showcase my family. I make about 4 every year and then narrow it down. They are just too fun to make! It is easy to zoom in or out of pictures and to capture exactly the images you want on a card.

I already expressed my love for picture cards with multiple pictures. I am awful at picking just one picture. Last year we took one in our Christmas jammies and I think we'll be doing that again this year. Usually I order the 5x7 photo card and I love it. This year I am also enjoying their 5x7 stationary cards. Rather than mailing an additional Christmas letter or foregoing it altogether, now you can write one right on the card! Brilliant.

Here are 3 that I love:







Also, here are some additional links that may be helpful:

Make your own card here:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationary

A PERFECT gift! We gave some out last year and will be doing the same this year!
http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars

A lot of people I know do not have a chance to send out cards until after the holidays are over. I think there are some awesome cards to wish a happy new year rather than a Merry Christmas.
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationary/new-years-cards


And last but not least, if you are reading this blog you probably have a blog! Check out Shutterfly's amazing 50 free cards deal for bloggers right now! :)
http://bit.ly/sfly2010