Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011
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The week of Thanksgiving this year we headed to Albuquerque, NM to my Grandma’s house so that she could meet Amelie and see Nadia again. That will be a separate blog post, but I did want to mention where we started. From there we headed to Denver, CO to spend the weekend with our friends Randy, Jessica and their children. On Thanksgiving Randy smoked a turkey and Jess has prepped everything else the day before while we were driving up. The weather was so nice that the girls had a blast playing outside in the morning.

Thanksgiving 2011 Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Abby set the table and made name plates for each of us. The food was fantastic as always with the Petermans. Jess made 2 kinds of pumpkin pie and a chocolate cream pie based on a Colonial Williamsburg recipe.

Thanksgiving 2011

Here is Randy getting the turkey ready to become soup for Friday night. After this we headed to the park so the girls could run around.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

After the park the girls did some crafts while Jess and I made our Black Friday attack plan and around 7 am we were on the road. Jess loves Black Friday shopping and it was a blast to just be together! We both scored some great deals and while we were gone Mike took Randy and all the girls out to breakfast. He told me that they saw quite a few other dads and kids which I thought was funny.

Thanksgiving 2011

Friday night my Dad’s cousin Kathy, her husband John, daughter Emma and my Great Uncle Jack came over for soup and ice cream. Emma was about to turn 3 and it was so sweet to see the girls playing together. It was such a nice visit and we are grateful that they drove south to visit us.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

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The next morning we packed up to head back to Texas. The girls played until the last possible second and then we took some goodbye photos.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanks for hosting us this year Randy and Jess. We love you guys!!!

Thankful Thursday

Most of all this week: my life. I am constantly astounded by this wonderful life that God has blessed me with. My husband, my children, my family,  my friends, my church and more.  So thankful.

Star Wars Birthday Party!

Nadia's 5th birthday
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This photo sums up Nadia’s total and complete excitement about turning 5!

As the children arrived for the party, we took a photo of them in front of the Darth Vader stand up that our friend Cynthia let us borrow.

Nadia's 5th birthdayNadia's 5th birthday Nadia's 5th birthdayNadia's 5th birthday

Then we headed outside for “Jedi Training” which was a blast all the way around.

Nadia's 5th birthday

First the kids had to run or jump from hoop to hoop.

Nadia's 5th birthday

Then cross the lava pit.

Nadia's 5th birthday

Then more hoops.

Nadia's 5th birthday

They had to cross Sarnac’s pit and not get swallowed up.

Nadia's 5th birthday

Then they received their lightsabers and had some practice hits on the cones.

Nadia's 5th birthday

Then they battled Master Dwimble.

Nadia's 5th birthday

Nadia's 5th birthday

Nadia's 5th birthday

Nadia's 5th birthday

They finished it off with a lightsaber free for all!

Next we told the kids that their was a meteor shower in our backyard and they had to find them all. (it was foil wrapped candy).

Nadia's 5th birthday

We came inside for pizza and wookie cookies. Then cake!

Nadia's 5th birthday

Nadia's 5th birthday

Since the kids like to see the presents being opened we had the giver sit next to Nadia again. They are all so cute!

Nadia's 5th birthdayNadia's 5th birthdayNadia's 5th birthdayNadia's 5th birthdayNadia's 5th birthdayNadia's 5th birthday

Nadia's 5th birthday

Nadia and Aunt Paula.

Nadia's 5th birthday

Nadia and Grammie.

What a wonderful day! Thanks to everyone who joined us to make Nadia’s day so special.

Nadia's 5th birthday

PS. here is Yoda on the way home. Somehow I missed getting a photo of him overseeing the party. Thanks Cynthia!

Advent kick off

I had been looking for a little kid friendly Advent devotion. Nadia is really wiggly so I was also looking for something hands on. Enter “Truth in Tinsel” an ebook by Amanda White.  It’s very well thought out, a good level for little kids and the kids can make their ornament each day. I bought it at 11 pm on November 30th, but since we are an arts and crafts house I had what I needed for the first 3 days on hand so we were ready to go. Nadia  was also given the Star Wars Lego Advent calendar for her birthday from Papa and Grandma Brooke.

Advent 2011
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She is so excited to start!

Advent kick off 2011

Working on our devotion for day one: Isaiah 9:2-7. The ornament was a candle.

Advent kick off 2011

Amelie holding her chocolate Advent calendar (at this point she doesn’t know it contains chocolate). She was REALLY excited when the door opened and chocolate popped out 🙂

That night we headed to church for dinner and Advent candy chain making. It was a great night with friends.

Advent kick off 2011

Advent kick off 2011

Advent kick off 2011

Advent kick off 2011