Thanksgiving 2011

This year's Thanksgiving was great.  We started off the day watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  We spent most of our time watching it in our bed...all five of us!  Then we started getting ready for the day.  First stop was the Hursts'.  We feasted on turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, etc.  It was all so wonderful.

Natalie with her Aunt Lindsey and Aunt Kristin

The second place was Aunt Cindy's house.  After we ate, the kids got to work on their gingerbread houses {which has slowly become a tradition now}.  Matthew made his look like a bull, Lucas decorated his very nicely, and Natalie got some help from Aunt Lindsey.  Before we knew it, we had three cute houses to use as a centerpiece on our kitchen table.

Natalie and Aunt Kristin

Lucas, Mae, Charlie, and Matthew working on their houses. 

Matthew with his house.  

Up close of Natalie's house

Lucas and his house

After we were done at Cindy's, Derrick and I dropped the kids off at the Hursts' to spend the night.  Yep, we went shopping.  We left straight from there, around 8:00 pm, and went to Michael's.  After Michael's, we got in line at Toys R Us.  We were in line for 2 and a half hours.  Crazy, I know.  But, we got what we wanted {the XBox w Kinect}, and almost all of our shopping done.  We headed home to sleep, then I went back out on Black Friday {around 9 a.m.} and it wasn't bad at all.  Actually, I accomplished a lot of shopping.  It was great!

Christmas 2011

Christmas was a whirlwind {like always} this year.  We had six Christmases, and they were all super fun.  The thing is, we are so close to all our family, which is a huge blessing.  I am so thankful that the kids can go and have Christmas with their grandparents and great grandparents...then we get to only drive 15 minutes back home and not get on a plane or drive hours in a car.

The first Christmas was with my family {the Carfreys} was at my Grandma's and then at our house.  We went to Grandma's for lunch and some gifts.  We had all chipped and got my grandma a new tv.  She was sooo excited.  She cried and laughed, and cried some more.  It was great.  Then, after Christmas we hosted my family here at our house.  The hit of the night was Natalie's scooter from Joey and Kristin and her princess tent from Lindsey and Ben.  She was so excited about both of those!  The boys got a tetherball set, their NERF Vortex guns, and marshmallow shooters {thanks to Lindsey and Ben for those....I'm STILL picking up marshmallows}.

                                                         

The next Christmas was on Christmas Eve.

We had it at Derrick's grandparents' house.  We got there for lunch, and ate and visited until it was present time.  Since Omi had eye surgery right before Christmas, she made sure each of the kids had three gifts to open...and the adults go their gifts at a later Christmas celebration.  It was cool, because each of the kids got a game, some clothes, and a pair of pjs.  So fun!

 After the gifting was done, Natalie settled down to play Candyland with Auntie Devon and the older adults/kids settled in with their new games.  The boys got Jenga and Connect Four Launchers.  Both of those are really fun games!

Christmas Day was sort of a whirlwind.  We started with stockings before church, and cinnamon rolls.  They didn't turn out as great as I had hoped, but it was ok.  We opened stockings and the kids were perfectly happy with that.  Natalie didn't really get into the opening this year.  She just kind of wanted to play and hang out.  She was super excited about her Pooh Bear LEGOS in her stocking, and the boys were so content playing with their LEGO flashlights that it probably wouldn't have mattered if we didn't open any more gifts.

After church, we came home and changed.  Then, it was full fledged gift time.  The boys got skateboards, clothes, remote control cars, an XBOX 360 w Kinect {which we hid in the basement and did a "reveal" after we were all done upstairs}. They were so surprised and excited.  They were also excited about their whole series of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.  Which now, a few weeks later, Lucas is already on the fourth one.  They are absolutely devouring them.  Add in some DS games and LEGOS, and they were happy campers.

Derrick got me a new Mac computer {which I desperately needed}, some UGGS {he totally took the hint on those}, and some clothes and pjs.  I got him some PUMA shoes {he was so excited about those...too funny}, some clothes, and a back massager.  I also got him a new coat and a puffy vest.  Natalie's gifts were so fun, too.  We got her a play kitchen {score at OUAC earlier this fall}, some clothes, and a Cabbage Patch Doll.  Let me tell you, giving her that Cabbage Patch doll was so awesome.  It was a vintage one...like I used to have...her birthday is 1983. Also, some Zhu Zhu pets, a runway for them, and tons of food for her kitchen.   It was so cool.

Later that night, after we had broken in the XBox, and my new computer was set up, we headed over to my Grandma Mae's.  We had dinner with my whole extended family, and the kids put on the Christmas story play.  My mom makes sure that the last few years, each kid has a part in the play and they perform it for the adults.  It's so cute, and the costumes she comes up with are extremely creative.  This year for a donkey, she used an Eeyore.  Yeah, that's how my mom thinks.

                                        

Then it was Christmas with the Hursts.  Talk about Christmas overload.  It's always so fun, though.  My mother in law did something very cute this year-she wrapped all the gifts in the same paper.  Their living room looked so fun....and full of gifts.  We ate all day/night.  We arrived around 1, and we were there until about 10.  We brought home some VERY tired, overstimulated children.  The best part was giving Daniel a laptop for Afghanistan and my father in law's reaction to his iPad.  He has wanted one for so long, and we finally got him one!  It was so cool.  He was beyond shocked!

The boys were excited about  some new LEGOS and their Beyblade arena.  My in laws also got everyone towels with their names on them, which were very cute and creative.  I was so thankful for the scrapbooking organizing stuff I got and my new mixer!  Yay!

       

We all got a laugh out of my mother in laws pajama jeans that she got.  Too funny.  She put them right on, and was happy the rest of the night!  Darragh took it upon herself to make everyone pillows or blankets from fleece.  Our pillows are really cute, and Natalie LOVES her blanket.

Wow, Christmas was busy this year.  Many years {like this one}, I feel like I don't get a relaxing two weeks off of school.  But when I look back, I'm so glad we have so many sweet families to share our holiday with.  

Halloween 2011

Our night started with a little bit of a costume crisis.  You know those ink tags on costumes that they're supposed to remove?  Well, they didn't remove the one on Lucas's.  So, I tried to take it off..but then I looked like a Smurf because my hand had royal blue ink all over it.  However, our night wasn't completely ruined.  Halloween this year was SO MUCH FUN!  Natalie was SOOO into trick or treating, the boys cooperated and used their manners, and it was a super nice night outside.  I actually think that this is the first time I took my children out trick or treating for a good amount of time.  Usually, they want to go with grandma and grandpa, or Auntie Darragh.  But, they were stuck with me.

  I left my parents at home to hand out the candy, and off we went.  It only took about two houses for Natalie to catch on.  I was so thankful the boys used their manners at every house, they watched out for Natalie, and they stayed with me the whole time.  It was so funny every time I asked them to pose for a picture, Matthew got this serious look on his face.  He claimed he wanted to stay in character...and be a serious SWAT team guy.  Whatever.

As soon as we'd walk up to a driveway, Natalie would scramble out of her stroller, grab her bag, and run up the drive saying, "hurry, hurry".  Then, she'd help her herself to the candy, or allow the neighbor to put it in her bag, whatever the routine was.  Then, it was back in the stroller and on to the next house.  Meanwhile, my parents were at our house handing out candy, eating potato soup, and ham sandwiches.  Derrick's parents, sister, and her boyfriend came over, too.  They were there when we got back-we were out for about an hour and a half.  It was such fun!

Marmon Valley Farm

Sometimes, if it's a nice early evening, Natalie and I will stop by Marmon Valley Farm while the boys are at karate.  We walk around and pet the cow, look at the chickens, and visit the ponies.  She loves it, I love it, and we get some fresh air and a little bit of exercise.

 She squeals at the chickens, and tries to catch the barn cat that walks around and wants nothing to do with her.  She is always carrying a baby under her arm-this trip it was baby Alice, or as she says, "baby alsis".  So cute.  She holds her baby up to the chicken coop or the cow pen or the pony ring and "shows" baby Alice the animals.  It's priceless.

Jacquemin Farms

The day before Natalie's birthday party, Kristin came over to help me make cake pops.  We were done about noon, and Natalie had a haircut later that afternoon.  So, what did we do on that beautiful, sunny, perfect fall day?  Did we come home and clean, prep more food, and get ready for the party.  Heck no!  We went to Jacquemin Farms for a couple hours and had a total blast.   We ran into Natalie's babysitter, Sara, and her son Jacob.  It was perfect because while Sara and I sat and chatted, my boys and Jacob ran through the straw maze and played in the bounce houses while Natalie played in the corn box.  Then, we rode the hayride out to the pumpkin patch and grabbed some fresh pumpkin donuts-they were still warm when they boxed them up for us-before heading home.  It was a super fun day.  Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of pictures of the boys because they were running everywhere playing.  They had so much fun!

Natalie on her first hayride.  

Natalie's Second Birthday

Natalie's second birthday was so much fun this year.  We had a pink and green ladybug theme-mainly because I had worked hard on her "Happy Birthday Natalie" banner last year-in pink and green-and I really wanted to use it again.  So, we went with pink and green ladybugs.  So cute!

My sister, Kristin, and I decided to tackle cake pops.  Let's just say, it was an adventure.  I might be brave enough to try again by applying the lessons I learned...but we'll see.  Kristin totally saved the day with running to Michael's and getting a ladybug mold, baking, and decorating the cake RIGHT before the party!  Yay for Auntie K!

We had our whole family over, and it was a ton of fun.  The gift rundown:

Grandma Connie and Papa Ron-Brown boots, Dress up Minnie Mouse set

Grandma Patty and Grandpa Keith-Shopping cart

Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Ben-My Little Pony, pink/green polka dot outfit

Aunt Kristin and Uncle Joey-Disney Princes  Castle Playbook

Brian and Sarah-GRACO baby stroller, sweaters

Great Grandma Mae-stuffed pony, money

Great Grandpa Jim and Joyce-$25 to KMart

Aunt Devon and Uncle Chris-My Little Pony, Books, Unicorn shirt

Uncle Darin and Sarah-VTech "Chase Me" Kitty

Uncle Daniel-Mickey Sing a Ma Jig

Mommy and Daddy-clothes, baby doll (aka Baby Alice)

Chelsey, Mae, and Charlie-Sleeping Beauty Dress up dress

Sara, Nick, and Jacob-Cupcake bag, books, bath paints

It was quite the fun time.  I love it when both sides of our family can get together and have fun together.  We had potato soup, chicken chili, and regular chili.  Also, some bread, cheese and crackers, cake, and ice cream.

To Natalie on Her Second Birthday

Dear Natalie,

Happy Birthday! I love having you as a part of our family. I love your sweet hugs, having "night night" books with you, watching you take care of your babies, and seeing you laugh and play with your brothers.

You have grown so much in the last year, especially with your words. You're saying two or three words together at a time now. Just the other day when the boys were playing, I heard you say, "Follow me, follow me". It was so cute, because they were saying the same thing to each other. You communicate so well, asking for a "nack", or a drink when you're hungry or thirsty.

Daddy, your brothers, and I love you so very much. You are a blessing to us, and to everyone. Your grandparents love you and spoil you to pieces. Even Papa Ron lets you drink from his cup or eat from his fork...which he doesn't do for ANYONE else!

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl. I hope you know how much I love having you in our family, and that you truly make our family complete.

Love,

Mommy