thanksgiving

The day started off great. My two turkeys crawled into bed with me that morning to snuggle. It doesn't get much better than this.

My mom and Jim came up for the day and we had a great time hanging out, cooking, and looking at the Black Friday ads. This year I set the table with real plates and glasses and the girls were old enough to have their own little table. They thought it was special. I opted for a big ham and a small turkey breast this year and it was the best decision ever. We all prefer the ham over the turkey. The kids really only cared about the stuffing and the bread.

Morgan did pick out her own outfit for turkey day. I guess she thought that polka dots and heart pants matched. Close enough I guess. All I ask for is one serious smile. I guess these are close enough too.

Right when we finished eating I heard the front door open. I knew it wasn't the kids trying to escape. I was so happy to see my sister standing there with her baby girl Aleyece. This was the first time that Addison was really able to hold her since Addison was sick at their first meeting. She must be the baby whisperer. As soon as she picked her up Aleyece fell asleep. They are both so sweet when they hold her. 

My favorite picture of the day. Probably my favorite in a long time. I love this sweet girl.

Then I went all camera happy on Aleyece. It's nice at this age because they can't fight you. The first one I snapped when she was mid sneeze. I like to think the next one is the gimme some turkey face.

Her face melts me.

Later that night the girls and I watched Elf. The funniest Christmas movie ever. Morgan gave up 20 minutes in, but Addison watched til the end. She loved it.

It was a great Thanksgiving. Everyone was happy and our bellies were full. We all have a lot to be thankful for. This day and every day.

thankful

Today I am so thankful for so many things. 

This sweet girl. She is so loving and caring. Sometimes at night she just wants me to lay and snuggle with her. It warms my heart.

This sassy girl. She is so fun and full of life. Sometimes she steals my phone and I find all these pictures on there. She always makes me smile.

Life is fun with them.

This guy. He keeps us all sane and holds us all together.

I love my family. Life is good.

pow wow

Last week was the big Pow Wow at school. It was recommended to me by another mom that I stay for most of the day, so I took the first half of the day and went to school with Addison. Her class was the Iroquois tribe. I helped her and some of the other kids get into their costumes. They couldn't wait for it to start.

All of the classes came out and did a dance to the fox song. That song is still stuck in my head and Michael and I are caught singing it all the time. Addison went through all the motions, but still got a little shy when she spotted me with my camera.

Chief Chets Creek, also known as the PE teacher, came out and did his own dance. I think he looked pretty cool.

It was dark and dreary on Friday and rain threatened the whole thing, but they were still able to do it outside. But it was windy and cold. By the time it was all over everyone just wanted to go inside. They had to get a class picture first.

Back in the classroom we had a few minutes to take pictures before we headed off to the different stations. Addison was upset because she really wanted to take her costume off, but her teacher convinced her to keep it on.

This is the Indian we made at home. She was supposed to give herself a name so we thought hard and she chose Brave Composer. Mostly because she loves to write, draw and make up stories, therefore, a composer. I thought it was cute.

We went to the media center to hear about how the Native Americans might have hunted, where they lived and see some artifacts. Then we ate lunch before heading out to the tepee for story time. This thing was pretty sweet. The middle was run up the school flagpole and then it was fanned out from there. Whoever did this put some serious though and time into this thing.

It was big enough to fit all 38 kids in her class, teachers, many parents and volunteers. I loved it! I also like the panoramic camera on my iPhone. Totally forgot about it.

After the tepee it was time for a scavenger hunt. This is me trying to keep Addison warm. I think it was colder than it was just a couple of hours before.

My little scavenger hunter. It was interesting to see her take the leadership role in her group. She grabbed the picture map and lead the way. I was proud of her.

I wish I could have stayed the whole day and done more of the stations with her, but believe it or not I do work a little. This was a fun kick off to the holiday season.

gator homecoming

Lucky for me, my birthday was right before Gator Homecoming weekend. I got the best birthday  present when Shannon flew into town late Thursday night. Not only was she here for the weekend, but she brought Magnolia Bakery cupcakes straight from NYC. I knew they were coming so I didn't have any sweets all day. Totally worth the wait.

I kept the kids out of school on Friday and we headed to Gainesville for the parade. The weather was perfect and the company was even better. I love Allison and Shannon so much. It was good to celebrate my 35th with them and a bunch of fellow gator fans.

Michael was not amused. I think all of the Gator festivities were starting to make him sick. So he found a spot in the shade and played on his phone.

My mom can not take a picture to save her life, but this one didn't turn out too bad.

The girls had a great time. It's going to take a lot more, but I'm working on converting Addison.

Shannon, Michael and I went to the game on Saturday, But first we enjoyed a little pregame entertainment. I'm not sure I've even seen a better pair of jorts in my life. I mean, overjorts. It doesn't get much better than that. Michael was having a field day.

Again, Michael was not thrilled with all the Gator activities. He decided to leave at halftime.

Shannon and I had a blast.

It probably would have been more fun if didn't leave with 5 minutes left in the game. We were standing outside searching for our Gator Walk brick when we realized we missed the best part of the game. Oh well. We did find the brick.

I topped off the birthday celebrations with wings and cake.

A great weekend with great friends and family. It sure made turning 35 a lot easier to be with the ones I love.

my loves

I spent my birthday with my favorite people.

We had Qdoba take out for dinner and sat by the fire. First time this winter, if you can call it that in Florida.

We sat around in our pajamas and didn't do much of anything.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

swinging

Here is Morgan's first time swinging. I sound so country, but I'm really not. Ok. A little.

three and a half

Today is my birthday. I am not three and a half, but Morgan is. I am 3 + 5 and that's a little hard for me to stomach. Much harder than 30.

I love this sweet little girl so much. I sit back and look at her and she's grown so much. Her voice is still soft and low like it was when she first starting talking, but her mannerisms and personality are totally that of a little girl. Not a baby. Not a toddler. That's hit me recently and it makes me both happy and sad.

Last month we went in the backyard so she could show me how she swings. We had been working on it, but she still couldn't do it by herself. I walked out there with her fully prepared to push her and watch her go through the motions. She ran ahead, sister gave her a push, and before I could even get over there she was doing it all by herself. Pumping her legs and going higher and higher. I was so proud of her. The hard work paid off and I could tell she was so happy.

She's a lover of sweets. She doesn't get them often, but when she does she always chooses wisely. After church one day I stopped to get gas and picked up a donut for the girls. I giggled when I looked over and saw that only the sprinkles and top half of the donut were gone. The two bite marks are from me. Then, she did it again with a cupcake. I always know to lightly ice her treats because it's really the only thing she eats.

She has a love of books. And not just her books. She likes our grown up books as well. She'll sit and read for an hour. I find her sitting by herself in her room surrounded by 30 different books that she just read. Or she takes them to the playroom and reads to her students. I was worried that we didn't spend enough time reading to her as a baby as we did Addison. I feared she wouldn't like reading, but boy was I wrong. She gets so into making up a story that I sit back and watch without her knowing. I took this one night when she begged me to read just one more book. How can I say no to that face.

I love that she's a snuggler and even when it's not my night to put her to bed, she still needs to me to sit with her for just a minute. I sing Sunshine to her and tell her I love her as big as the sky and as big as the ocean. She always responds with "I love you as big as the clouds and as big as the sun". And sometimes as big as the mulch.

For no particular reason she'll come up and kiss me on the arm. Out of the blue. But she won't let me kiss her lips when she has chapstick or lip gloss on. She's afraid it will come off. 

She has the sweetest soul. The sweetest smile. And the sassiest personality. I love you Morgan!