Putting up the Tree

Yes we are one of those families who puts their Christmas tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. The Christmas season is so short and the decorations are so beautiful that I have to get them up and keep them up as long as possible.

Decorating the tree is something I enjoy each year. It's fun to go through all the ornaments and remember who received which ones when. My most favorite part is the handmade ornaments the kids have given us as gifts over the years. I amazing how they change from year to year as they get older and more creative.

Each year I take the kids shopping for their own personal ornament so they will have the beginning of a collection when they move out on their own. I love watching them go through the ornaments thinking hard about which one they must have this year. The way their tastes change from year to year showing off their own personality and as they mature their so do their choices....

This year Hayley picked an Elvis ornament with blue shoes~ in memory of Grandma Ellen who love Elvis just about more than anything!

Happy Thanksgiving

I love that the school has kept with the kids having the day before Thanksgiving off. Until last year they would have a 1/2 day but now it's all day off. I love that the kids can help with the dessert baking for Thanksgiving dinner but the 1/2 day made it difficult to get everything done by a reasonable time.

What's even better is that the kids are getting old enough to work on certain tasks without me hovering every second; the finished product isn't always the most beautiful, but as long as it tastes good that's all that matters.

We got started nice an early...while I made stuffing and other side dishes the kids were all anxious to get started on the chocolate pie....

Connor started mixing the chocolate.... (Zack is in the background making cookies)

Of course if Connor is doing it then Riley needs a turn too....

Hayley was in charge of filling the pie crust....

Connor & Riley couldn't wait to get started licking the pudding bowl....not sure when or why they took off their shirts...when it comes to these 2 I have completly given up trying to figure this stuff out!

Thanksgiving Day.....

One of our favortie things everytime Uncle Norb comes over is to watch him with our crazy dogs. They LOVE him and do not leave his side all day. Norb spoils them with attention all day.

This year's Thanksgiving was a little light on the guests. We never really know from year to year who will be joining us; this year it was us and Gram Z, Uncle Ray & Uncle Norb

After dinner we played our annual dice game that Gram Z loves.

Family and Food; what more could you ask for? What a great day!

Fall Leaves

My favorite time of Fall is watching the kids in the leaves....this is one of the few times of the year that they work together and don't fight. Building the leaf pile as big as they can takes the work of everyone so they can take turns jumping in it.

This year the pups even participated!

Now it's time for the same fun in the snow!