Tis the Season to be JOLLY!

The Christmas spirit is filling up our house! We found our perfect Christmas tree Saturday night and spent all day Sunday decorating, decorating, decorating! Russell was totally into trimming the tree and did not stop until every last ornament was out of the boxes and on the tree. We only broke two during the process. Sloane enjoyed listening to Christmas music more than decorating. She danced around the house while wearing her new pajamas that state dancing makes me happy! Tonight the kids helped me hang their advent calendars in preparation for December 1st. They look forward to this tradition every year. It amazes me how much they remember from previous years. We have 25 FUN days ahead of us!!!

Getting out the Christmas lights and checking to see if they work.

One of Russell's handmade ornaments.
A fun tradition of counting the days to Christmas!

"Cool Mom! I appreciate this chart!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

This time of year always brings so many emotions. I am feeling overly thankful these days for so many things, too many to write about in a short blog message. However, I am sure you can figure most of them out...just look at my beautiful children, devoted husband, and caring family and friends. I will stop there before I begin shedding tears as I type. Happy Thanksgiving to ALL! I hope your "turkey day" was as fun and blessed as mine!

During our Thanksgiving festivities at my brother Keith's house, Sloane led the women in a game of Mickey Mouse BINGO. She also was busy playing Memory and Checkers. We have a game lover on our hands! Hopefully Santa follows through with her wish for a "Princess Game."

Katie and Travis' puppies were the hit of another family gathering. Russell and Sloane kept busy following them around and trying to hold them. As fast as these pups are growing, it won't be long before they are chasing the kids around!
Russell was sure to wear his Detroit Lions shirt in order to tease Uncle Keith - the Packer fan! Keith wasted no time torturing the kids with tickles and tackles until they surrendered yelling "GO PACKERS!"
Russell got just far enough away before yelling, "GO LIONS! PACKERS STINK!" He followed this up with a tackle of his own!

One final picture that I couldn't resist posting. My mom, my hero! Her courage, strength, love, and faith is overwhelming! I love you Mom!!! KEEP FIGHTING!!!

Lots to do in November!

For my side of the family November means ONE thing... DEER HUNTING! We headed to my grandparents' house last Sunday for a big family meal. The kids and I spent just the day there. Russell was busy hanging with the men preparing for the opening day of deer hunting. He checked out all the blinds and practiced shooting with his cross bow. Sloane spent the day playing and chatting with the women of the family. She spent time describing to Kelly her ideas of a perfect flower girl dress and then insisted that Katie and Kelly sit on either side of her for dinner. Russell on the other hand, insisted on sitting with the men while eating and watching football! This week we enjoyed a quick visit with my parents and then today we headed downtown Royal Oak for the annual holiday parade. The kids loved the music, dancers, dressed-up dogs, and of course SANTA CLAUS! We are looking forward to a quiet Thanksgiving filled with lots of time for rest and relaxation!!!

Russell hanging with the men during dinner.

He is typically Papa's little shadow!

Both kids loved petting Katie and Travis' new puppies!
Checking out the Royal Oak Holiday Parade.
Russell with his buddy Antonio. Is Santa on his way?
Santa lead the crowd in a contest to see which side of the street could say the loudest "HO, HO, HO!"
Sloane and Alejandro found front row seats.

Birthday #5

Personalize a free slideshow

1-2-3 JUMP!!!

It's raking time in Royal Oak! The oak trees are quickly decorating the yards and streets all around us. Last night we had family raking night in preparation for the street sweeping truck that comes by on Friday. The kids each helped out and then once our leaf pile was high enough for Russell's standards, they dropped their rakes and took off for a flying leap into the pile! Oh, to be a kid again...