thanksgiving

First ever Turkey Bowl for Colby!  Needless to say, he loved it, but I'm not sure who loved it more.

Watching these two together makes my heart happy. Kevin loves including the kids when he can, and today was the perfect example.  There were only a few kids there, but Kevin made sure to make it a positive experience for his little dude. 

Brooke and I enjoyed sleeping in on Thanksgiving, then prepared the sweet potatoes together while listening to Christmas music. Once we were all showered and ready, we headed to Grandma and Papa's house where Brooke peeled 5 pounds of golden potatoes for mashies.  She definitely earned pro status on the peeler!!

Making themselves dizzy while waiting for their cousins to arrive...

All the prep was done, and we were waiting on the Peacocks to arrive, so I took the opportunity to go in the backyard with the kids.  I rarely get to just go play with them because there's usually something I feel like I should help with, so this was a really perfect opportunity.  I was able to give them my undivided attention and it was honestly the best. Our badminton skills need some work, but there were a lot of laughs. 

At one point, Colby sat down to stack blocks with Emery and she was in heaven.  She's always so busy trying to keep up with the big kids, so it was cute for Colby to slow down and just play with her. 

More dinner prep and then it was time to eat!!

The kids loved sitting at their own table, and I got a kick out of Brooke's very full plate...

As per usual, they were all obsessed with the Martinelli's sparkling cider.  I think we went through 4 bottles :)

Despite our full bellies, we still made room for pie.  These kids were so proud of themselves and their hard work.  I know Grandma loved the whole process as well.  (Do you notice the grass stuck in Brooke's hair??  Proof that they were outside running and playing between dinner and dessert, haha.)

A bit more playtime before calling it a day and heading home.  We are definitely thankful this time of year for our abundant blessings.  We are seriously very spoiled and have so much to be grateful for, but at the top of the list is our family, our knowledge of a Father in Heaven who loves us, a Savior who atoned for us, and our testimonies of the gospel. 

prep day

Thanksgiving Prep at Grandma and Papa's house started with placement coloring.  I've had these placements for years and since we usually don't host, I brought them to Grandma's house :)

Learning the art of making pie crusts with Grandma, who is a very patient teacher. 

While the dough chilled in the freezer, the cousins used their teamwork to set the tables. 

Then it was time to roll out the crusts. 

Colby was totally into the details around the edge, and I adore this picture of him and his "pickle pie."

Then it was time for the girls to make their crusts...

Brooke made her first ever pumpkin pie and was quite pleased with herself.  I was hoping she would actually try it the next day after being so involved in the process, but she did not. 

I love watching this girl in the kitchen.  I really should spend more time baking and cooking with her because she really does seem to enjoy it.  She always wants to make things from her Princess Cookbook, but all the recipes are a bit bland.  I either need to buy her a new cookbook or introduce her to the wonder of Pinterest. 

No trip to Grandma's is complete without time spent in the backyard.  

After a busy day, we headed home with an excitement for what tomorrow would bring!  Lots of yummy food and more time spent with family.

life in november

Sometimes it's the simple things, like reading books with Daddy :)

Friday night at the park with the Hawkins!  Having neighbors who are also best friends is the absolute best!  For the kids and for me, because I get to sit and chat with Joanna. 

Right before bed Colby decided that his wiggly tooth needed to come out.  Kevin wasn't sure that it was ready, but Colby had his mind set on it.  After a lot of wiggling, that little tooth came out. 

He used his tiny treasure box he received from the school nurse and tucked that box under his pillow for the tooth fairy.  Loving his little double gap on the bottom...

Colby kept trying to take pictures of us sitting on the pew at church, all of which were terribly unflattering.  I made him stop, and assured him that we could take a nice picture once we got home.  

I love this kid so much and especially adore his expression in this one...

We had dinner with some old friends (The Potters) and Colby made sure their teenage daughter sent me the picture of him and the chicken, haha.  I'm pretty sure that my kids would be happy living on a farm.

We had a great time at their house, but as soon as we pulled out of their development, Colby started throwing up all over. It seriously came out of nowhere, so we quickly pulled over to a gas station to try to help him.  I found a gallon ziplock bag in the center console, so he was able to use that for the last few heaves.  I took him inside to use the bathroom while Kevin attempted to clean the car.  He used the squeegee from the gas station to remove the majority of the throw up from the car, but it was still everywhere and smelled terrible.  Oh, and I had made strawberry sorbet for dessert, so all the throw up was dark pink. (Side note: I don't think the sorbet was bad because none of the rest of us, including the Potters or Hawkins, got sick.)

We still had a 20 minute drive home, and I quickly took Colby upstairs to take a warm shower.  Kevin was a hero and cleaned the car while I helped our sick little guy.  He was throwing up every 15 minutes for hours and could't keep anything but water in his system.  I spent the first night at the foot of his bed because he needed me so frequently.  This really didn't help with my recovery because my body was all curled in a ball, but he needed his Mama.  

After two days, he finally seemed on the mend...

He asked for a bubble bath one afternoon, and after it was nice and bubbly, he announced, "I guess I don't want any bubbles."  I just laughed and told him to deal with it because you couldn't undo those bubbles, haha. But he gave me a fake pouty, so I had to take a picture :)

The Christmas music started, and I was thrilled!!  The new Christmas jammies just added to the whole vibe. 

Our school hosted a Veteran's Day program, and as soon as I got out of the car, I was emotional.  The band was warming up, the flags were flying, and I felt such gratitude for our veterans.  Each grade level performed for the guests of honor and parents could watch from the side.  It was such a beautiful program!

I picked Brooke up early for an orthodontist appointment one afternoon, then scoped out a location for our last minute family pictures.  We didn't use this location, but she sure looked cute. 

Cheesy fingers, cheesy teeth!  Man, I love these kids.  Especially when they play well together at the park and I can just listen to their playful banter. 

We had the Primary Program this month, which is always one of my favorite Sundays.  They both seemed so very confident as they said their lines and the Spirit was most definitely there as I listened to them sing.  Favorite songs:  My Own Sacred Grove and I Will Walk With Jesus.  I get emotional every time I hear those songs because their messages are so powerful. 

Tracy came back to visit and you better believe we met up for brunch at First Watch!! These girls have the most beautiful souls and I feel so grateful for their friendship. 

After brunch and shopping, Danielle and Andrea needed to head home, so Tracy and I went to Brow Vixen to get our brows threaded and tinted.  It always looks crazy as the dye sits on your brows, but it definitely looks more normal once they wipe the dye away.  Then Tracy came to my house and I gave her a gel manicure and painted her toenails.  I loved that one-on-one time with her, especially since she was staying in Fort Worth at Andreia's house. 

Another night, we met up with the Myers at the park for dinner and let the kids run and be free.  We have missed their family tremendously, so this felt so right to be together again. 

I loved chaperoning Brooke's field trip in the middle of the month.  She told me all the rules like a thousand times in the week leading up to the trip and was just SO excited.  I always love the zoo, but my favorite part might have been Brooke introducing her friends to me. 

We spent quite a bit of time in the reptile house...

Madison, Jade, and Brooke...

My second favorite part was the elephants.  I have a picture in this exact spot when Brooke was about one (pictured below) so it was fun to recreate the picture. 

These girls were all so sweet and made my chaperoning gig a piece of cake :)

Just look at that lion!  I love when they are up and moving about their enclosures. At about 2 PM, they loaded the buses to head back to school.  Parents weren't allowed to ride with them, so we were just supposed to drive ourselves.  A few days before the field trip, our photographer Jen (who also has a third grader), texted me to ask if I was going on the field trip.  I confirmed that I was, and she asked if I wanted to ride with her and another mom.  I thought that was super sweet, and since I didn't know any other moms that were going, I gladly accepted.  I really enjoyed my ride up there with Jen and her friend Jessica, and we had great conversation on the way back as well.  I love this community and am grateful for these small connections. 

Colby's excitement to show me ALL his turkey stuff after school was the absolute cutest.  Kindergarten is the best! Mrs.  Salinas also sent pictures from their Thanksgiving Feast and activities.  

We celebrated Danielle's 40th birthday!!  I can't quite believe that we're all hitting (or close to hitting) this milestone, but I still feel like we're young :) Except for when my back hurts, or I overexert myself and I feel like I'm falling apart.

A perfect impromptu park play date with school friends, who also happen to be members of the church but in a Mansfield Ward.  Staley is in Colby's class and they have become quite good friends.  

Colby came home with a note one day that had Staley's mom's phone number on it, but I never called her because life was just super busy with school, piano, baseball/softball, and getting ready for my surgery.  Well, a few weeks later while I was at the hospital, a girl in my ward met her and messaged a few of us to let us know that a "mom at Daulton just moved here from Utah with no family and could really use some friends and play dates for her kids."  I felt rotten and SO guilty that I hadn't reached out sooner, so I texted her from the hospital and we scheduled a playdate for Thanksgiving break. I enjoyed getting to know her and I'm sure we'll be having future play dates.