Happy Thanksgiving

We went to spend our Thanksgiving with our family at Uncle Dave and Aunt Nancy. The kids had a blast spending time with their cousin John and doing crafts together. They were all really good and I was really proud of them and we had a really nice day together.

Things to be thankful for.

I just read Little Miss Brooklyn's Blog and now would like to take a moment and do as Kelli did. This year I am nervous about Michael's job and the slow down at SDI is causing us to have a little bit different Christmas than we have ever had before, and to be in a situation we have never encountered. It is so important to remeber that I have so many blessing every single day, and if I dwell on what I don't have it would be too easy to miss all the great things I do have. I will not do as comprehensive list as Kelli, but my husband is truly the funniest person I know, between him and the kids he makes me laugh everyday. My parents are the most giving and supportive people I know. They know me so well and can always sense what I need most and then try to help me achieve it. Then the most precious gift I could have ever hoped for are our three children. They are brilliant, loving, kind, fun and somehow I see the best of Mike and I in them everyday. ( I will have to re-read this tonight after our big lunch when they are over stimulated, and over tired.) Anyway when I pray today before my meal it will be lengthy and in an appreciative heart for all the things that God has given me. May you all feel as blessed as you reflect on all of the things you do have.

Santa Arrives In Auburn

This is one of the floats that was in the parade.

Macy got a hug from Santa.

The kids were waiting for the parade.

Tonight was the annual Auburn Christmas Parade. We have went every year since the kids were born. It was a little chilly, but that did nothing to dampen the spirit of my kids. They could not wait to see Santa, they even behaved all day in preperation for seeing Santa for the first time. Macy even got to give him a hug, they did not have time for an in depth discussion, she will have to save that for later. It was really fun, the kids sipped hot chocolate, and waited anxiously for the parade to start. Mom and Dad go with us every year, and even though they say it is silly, I know they secretly look forward to it each time.

Thanksgiving at Grandma Obe's

Michael's grandpa Oberlin is fighting some pretty major health battles lately and has been feeling a little down. We celebrated Thanksgiving early at their house last Saturday. When we got there Dylan ran over and jumped up on his lap. It melted my heart, he is such a great person, and someone that Mike admires very much. Keep in her your prayers in the coming months.

Hanging of the greens.

We almost always get our Christmas stuff out and up the weekend before Thanskgiving. We started tonight and it will take us until Sunday to get it all done. The bigger (nicer) tree is done upstairs and tomorrow we will decorate the top of the cabinets and put the other tree up in the basement. I will also try and get the outside lights done too. The kids were so excited, it is hard not to get really crazy for Christmas when the kids are this little. More pictures to come. I hope the holiday spirit is finding its way into all of your hearts.

Little Turkey

Dylan had his fall program at pre-school today. He did such a terrific job. Michael, Mom, Dad and I went. He was a little imbarrased but he spoke clearly and rembered his part, reciting the months of the year. He has grown and matured so much in the last few months. This preschool has been terrific for him. I am amazed by how much he has learned. We went out for lunch after and had a nice time with the grandparents.

Welcome Winter

The kids nagged all day to play in the snow. I was wanting to get some pictures for our holiday cards so they finally wore me down. It was crazy cold too. We do not even have snow boots yet so everyone was really cold. They played outside for about an hour and then we warmed up with some hot chocolate. I think I got some good shots, so some of you may be seeing these photos again in your mail box in a week or so. This weather has us all really excited for Christmas, it went straight from Halloween to Christmas this year. I cannot wait. I will have to post a photo of the Gingerbread house we decorated. We are all in the mood and getting ready to put our tree up toward the end of the week. It always sounds like more fun than it actually is.

Tick Or Treat

Thane was dressed as Joe Dirt, it was so funny. Kylie had on fake eyelashes and the little girls thought that they were so cool.

Went to Duane and Amy's to go trick or treating in Angola again this year. Even Michael was off work and got to go with us. The kids had a great time and they got to play lots after going around the block. They ran around in the yard for hours. Then we all had dinner together and went to the church for thier annual party. It was fun and boy were the kids tired. Thane even dressed up, it was too funny.

Miss Buch's Class Halloween Photo

I got to go in and see Maddie's class all dressed up for Halloween. It seems a little surreal that Joel and Maddie are in Kindergarten, it honestly still feels like yesterday that Kylie and I were pregnant with the kids. Time sure does fly. It make me a little bit sad, but proud at the same time.

Fall Camping

Macy had to ride Dylan's old bike because she wore hers out, even if she looked a wrieck she was still super cute.

Avery was very focused on her beautiful pumpkin painting. They kept busy doing crafts the whole weekend, it wore Kylie and I out because as soon as one craft is done they were ready for the next one.

Dylan was really impressed with these. He was wanting to show his dad, they were at the campfire drinking a beer while Kylie and I took the kids to the nature center. LOL.

Dylan was so tired on the hayride I thought he was going to fall asleep. We had to keep talking to him so he would keep his eyes open.

Here is the only picture I managed to get with whole group. They were really good and they really did actually get along as well as it looks in this picture.

Okay, as Megan keeps reminding me I am the world worst blogger. Michael moved our computer to the basement and just got us back online, and I have been lazy. SO we are going back a little ways here. But at the begining of October we went camping with our friends the Thane and Kylie and family. We had a great weekend. I just cannot say enough how much I love to camp. The kids are so great to watch and their little bodies are so tired when you lay them down. We got to have some time without the kids in the evening after they retired to sit by the fire and have some drink. Thane and Kylie are so laid back that we seem to do well with each others kids. Hopefully we can keep doing this and giving our kids some great traditions to look back on.

This is the first year Dylan would stick his hand inside of his pumpkin. It used to gross him out.

This is really blurry and I am not sure why but Dawson thought he was pretty cool getting all of those guts out on the first try.

The kids went to Nana and Papa's to carve pumpkins this year. They also got to get their goody bags, do crafts and eat lots of fun food. I know I have siad this before, but it can be repeated again, my kids are so lucky to have their Papa and Nana. I don't know if you can read the chalk board but it says Five Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Fence. They each got PJ's, a Bakugan ( I guess these are cool now)a sticker book and other goodies. Dylan told Kris she was the greatest Nana ever, he said it with a mouth full of dessert so Dawson had to translate for him, but it was still really sweet.

Little Swimmers

Swimming is still going well. I like to take any opportunity that I can to get a photo of all three of them together. They grow so fast and looking back on these pictures will be so fun someday....atleast Dylan doesn't have to wear a Speedo.

We have so much fun during Halloween in our family, so costumes are kind of a big deal. We unfortunately are also procrastinators, so we were running around like crazy trying to figure out what we were going to wear. Macy hated being Raggedy Anne, she was pulling for the duck costume. Dylan had a cow but Mike and him thought that it was too girly. We had to go out and get some hunting stuff around, but he loved it in the long run. Maddie liked hers too. Here we are posing with our cousins at Nana's.

Macy was so sad to have to be Raggedy Anne

Soccer

Dylan loved playing soccer. He was excited every day to go and never got tired of it. He was funny though because on a couple of the hot days when the coach would ask for volunteers to sit out he would always raise his hand. It was a really a good experience for him.

Neal and Bev's Fall Chilli Party

Bev and Neal had a really fun fall party this year. The kids all had so much fun. We enjoyed the the warm bonfire and everyone was really tired, even mommy.

The little girls were all huddled together. Avery, Macy, Morgan and Reece all looked adorable. They loved each other the whole night. They were all so good.

Mason, Maddie and Jana are all trying to stay warm on the hay ride.

This is an awesome fall picture of Macy that I took at Bev and Neal's pond at their fall chilli party. The background is so perfect it does not even look real. I love it, she looks so happy. The kids all enjoyed the hay ride a lot. They even talked Neal into taking them again. We have such a great group of friends.

Silly Faces

The kids grew their pumpkins and mom could not wait for them to come and decorate them. We got some really cute pictures and the kids were really proud of their finished the projects. They love hanging out in the barn with the goats and cats.