From our family to yours. Merry Christmas.

tooth #2

Addison woke up Thanksgiving morning before anyone else. The two of us went in the playroom to play hangman, her new favorite game. After 10 minutes she headed to the bathroom and told me she was going to pull her tooth. I didn't think twice about it. She tried that with the first one and several times with this one and chickened out each time. A couple minutes later she calls for me and I go running in to see blood in her mouth. She didn't quite pull it all the way out, but was obviously close. The whole tooth, blood thing freaks me out so I handed her some toilet paper to use as leverage and told her to have at it. Two minutes later and that tooth was out.

It wasn't as loose as the first one so I'm really surprised that she pulled it out all on her own.

She did really good. She didn't freak out or get upset with any of it. I'm okay with the tooth once it's out, but I want no part of the process.

She was pretty happy that she lost a tooth on Thanksgiving. To make it more special, the tooth fairy wrote a little note telling her how she met Zarkle that night.

That's right. Our Elf is back. As you can see, the tooth fairy even left him a little glitter kiss on his cheek.

Right now there are no teeth wiggling around in her mouth. I have a feeling it's going to be awhile until the next one comes out.

giving thanks

Every year we kick off the holiday season with the movie Elf. This year we watched it while traveling to my brother's Thanksgiving day. I mean, Buddy is the best.

There was a big crowd and we all had a great time. It was cold this year, but that didn't stop the girls from monkeying around outside. Literally. She was a monkey.

 She spent a lot of time climbing this tree that day.

 Morgan took the safer route and stuck with the slide.

We were happy that Matthew was able to spend the weekend with us. The girls love spending time with him. They all took a rest and did some swinging in the hammock.

In addition to turkey and monkeys, there was also chicken.

 This one wasn't for eating though. At least for right now.

 Jesse and his chicken.

Hugging and kissing M goodbye. We had a blast hanging out at her house. 

The fun wasn't over. We left my brother's house and went over to my aunt's house for the usual - dessert and four wheeling. It wouldn't be a holiday without it.

Waiting for her turn.

There was also some more swinging...

 And then some teeter tottering.

We had a great day with family and friends. I am thankful for all of God's many blessings. Especially this family of mine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

i had a birthday

It's been a month since I turned 36. The day was pretty uneventful. I went to work, had a salad for lunch and then hung out with my favorite people that night. And since it was my birthday, I let the kids jump on the bed.

I really want to blow one of these up and hang it above her bed.

I got a lot of extra hugs and kisses that day.

The weekend before I did celebrate with my bestie. Shannon took me out for a night on the town and I danced until my feet hurt.

Not a bad way to turn 36.