Decorating the Christmas Tree~2009

Rainy Day Schedule

Ethan and Abby
Some gutter walking!

A raincoat would be better than an umbrella!

Splash!

I love teaching the kids the joys of life!

We had a good time until their little hands got too cold, next time we need to include some gloves!

My Foof

Lily's protective, sometimes cranky attitude got her into trouble this past weekend. She was next to Kadence and Bruiser came up and Lily snapped at him and he snapped back, it went back and forth, Saber got involved and in the end, Lily's eye was injured and Gramma Pat was bitten on the finger. Lily ended up having surgery to remove her eye and Gramma is taking antibiotics! I can report that my girl is as happy and normal and completely adjusted to her new lot in life! What a champ she is! Just this morning she brought me her ball and I tossed it, she chased it, she went sliding across the hardwood floor, got the ball and brought it back, over and over again. Great attitude, we aren't feeling sorry for her because she is being such a good example to us!

Before

After
I do miss her beautiful dark eye :(

Our Thanksgiving 2009

As always the pictures are in backwards order, but that's me! We spent a wonderful 3 days at Brandon and Cheri's house again this year for Thanksgiving. I want to thank Brandon for all his hospitality and hard work, he was in the kitchen for the entire time, and still patient and kind! I felt the blessings of my family as I watched them together and I am so thankful for them all. Nothing I enjoy more than being with all of the kids. Enjoy the pictures!

Story time, made even more special thanks to Lisa K. for giving two beautiful books that will be read forever more on Thanksgiving!

Nap time, post feast!

Jessica, who amazed the little girls with her blond hair, purple eyes and purple beanie. They thought she was a beautiful princess! To me she is!

Ethan and Abby, best cousins, coloring a turkey.

Corn hole anyone? That's Randy, Cheri, Heather, Andy and Max at the scoreboard.

Laurie and Abby.

Heather all bundled up, it was a little chilly in VV!

Daddy loves his little girl!

Kody in the bounce house! A must for future get togethers!

Dustin and Patti scanning the xmas ads.

Brandon and Grandma Pat.

Susan, Cheri's mom and super cleaner, another must at get togethers!

Abby and Mommy!

GG and Kadence coloring.

Papa and the pitkas, you know innards!

Let the feast begin! It was great and everyone contributed!

Final check!

Kadence helping Honey (she calls me Honey!) make monkey bread.

Love those piggies tucked under the bum!

Getting set up with Brandon, not sure how it goes on!

Dustin making his famous and delicious potatoes for breakfast!

Making our Jell-o dish.

All Day, All Emma!

We made play dough and she created some pretty cute gingerbread people!
Ta Da!

Then we made some sugar cookies and decorated them, some very heavily with sprinkles!Dustin made that step stool she is standing on in high school, so glad to have it for the kids to use to help me in the kitchen! It's so special to me and I love seeing it in my kitchen.

Jess and Emma testing the sugar cookie dough, I think they like it!

Sometimes a stool just isn't high enough!

Whatever!! Guess who taught her that!

And these poses??

Oh boy! She is something else and I had a fabulous day with her!