So, what do you do when...

it is rainy and cold outside, you don't feel good because you have a cold, and don't feel like talking to action figures all day?? You.....build......a.....can you guess it.....a fort! You build a fort!! Guaranteed hours of fun as long as you realize you are going to have to get in there with them, get bonked in the head a few times, and get ordered around. :))

Thanksgiving..

How do I, picture queen, spend 5 days with my family (immediate and extended) and walk away with two pictures???? I am so disappointed with myself. None the less, we had a great little break, ate lots of yummy food, and really enjoyed our time together. I am so thankful for everyone in my life.

The next couple weeks are going to be a little crazy with Sissy's birthday party coming up and Christmas. Lots of shopping, wrapping, and fun ahead.

Long lost friend..

Today was such a treat. Me and the taylor tots hopped in the minivan, drove to ****, and met our very dear friends Jennifer, Houston, and Edie at the mall. It was the half-way point between here and their new home (big sigh) and we had such a great time. Of course, I left my camera in the car and the photo booth in the mall wouldn't accept debit cards, so I walked away with those two little pictures. I took the first one and Will took the other. :)

We miss our St. John family so much but love that they are happy and settled in their new home. Already looking forward to next time.

Houston said he was coming home with us. :)

My cute friend.

We love our church...

and fortunately our kids do too. Not only do we have super talented preachers, but our children's department is top notch as well. I love that with each sermon me and Brian are able to walk out with more biblical knowledge than what we came with and a real life application of what we can do with that knowledge. There is no doubt God is in and all over that place and we are blessed to be a part of it.

One of the highlights for Will and Abby each week is the bus ride to the church. Yes, our church is so big that they have buses that will take you right up to the front door. It is an unnecessary luxury for people of our age and health but such a convenience for young families (and our older population) and such fun for all the kids. Here are some clips from this past Sunday.

Not much to blog about....

It has been a slow and quiet week around here. Brian has been working longer hours and all of us (except Will...BIG surprise) have had a pretty yucky cold with lots of head congestion and major fatigue. Not very fun. Will has a big Thanksgiving celebration at preschool tomorrow and we are all going. I can't wait. I will take my camera and snap lots of pictures.

I finally sat down and made my "to beat the winter blues" list. I listed the days of the week and all the different options of places to go and things to do for this winter. I love warm weather and playing outside so the winters are such a challenge for me. I don't like getting out in the cold yet I get such cabin fever sitting in the house. I am going to try and do a better job of making myself get out with the kids.

Here are some pics from our week.

A mid week break...

Since Brian had to go to Madison, WI for 3 days this week, I decided to pack up the kids, skip preschool, and head home to Maw-Maw and D-D's. I enjoyed the get-away and the break from our daily routine. The kids did too. We had dinner with Matt-n-Ash, played outside quite a bit, and ate lots of good food. Tonight we are all anxiously awaiting Brian's arrival home as he should be here in just a couple hours. The kids and I have really missed him. We are sooo ready for him to come home.

Here are some pictures from our stay. Looking forward to the weekend ahead and the fun it has in store.

Our miserable picture experience...

I go for cheap everytime and cheap isn't always worth it. As Brian likes to remind me, you often get what you pay for. I set up a family picture appointment on Sunday for 10:10. We started getting ready at 8:30, got there at 10:10, waited for one hour and 15 minutes, which was one hour too long, Abby and Will were so over being there, wouldn't smile, Abby was screaming and crying, they snapped 24 pictures, we walked out with one....2 1/2 hours later. It was so miserable. We all left in a bad mood. Never again will I go for cheap. I will just pay the darn sitting fee in exchange for getting right in and getting it done. We really wanted a picture with just the two kids but it just wasn't going to happen. Here is what we walked away with and what will be arriving in your mailbox in the next couple weeks. Notice Abby has Handy Manny in her hands and tears in her eyes. Will has snow batman in his hands and a half-smile. Though neither kiddo was looking at the camera...at least they were looking in the same direction. Hopefully better luck next year. :)

Halloween

Will and Abby had such a big time trick-or-treating this year. Abby didn't quite understand that you don't eat every piece of candy as it is given to you. It was a battle to keep the candy in her bucket versus her mouth. Between the two of them, we had a HUGE tub full of candy which has been trouble for all of us. Our mouths are always chomping on something.

Thanks to MawMaw and DD for coming up and passing out candy so me and Brian could take the kids around. It was a lot of fun and Will is already plotting what he will be next year and after hitting the day-after-Halloween-50% off costume sale, he has several choices. You know me and a good deal.