More Thankgiving pictures

Lydia with cousin Rachel and Jacob

Eli getting more love from cousin Rachel

Thanksgiving

The Feast

Eli getting some love from Michael's Cousin Jamie

The kids playing (that Bryson... for my family that doesn't know him, he is cousin Jamie's son)

Eli feasting

This year was the first time I have ever made a turkey and stuffing. It was something I wanted to try... that was before I realized that I had to be up at 5:00AM to get that turkey in the oven. I did it the classic way that mom does where you baste it every 30 minutes and it turned out great. My stuffing wasn't as good as Mom's but, it was edible.

It was great, despite that fact that I didn't get to see any of my family. I missed everyone terribly, but hopefully next year we can get down to Florida, or everyone could come here?!?

The kids were great the whole day. Lydia went without a nap and was in a great mood. Elijah was the happiest little boy, hugging and kissing anyone that would let him. He truly is the happiest baby boy... except I think he's a toddler now. Gosh they grow up fast.

I was really surprised how well we pulled off Thanksgiving without a hitch! I really owe a lot of it to Debbie and Micahel. Debbie watched the kids and helped me clean and cook, and Michael watched the kids to so we could get everything done.

This year I am thankful for my happy healthy family. I have been blessed with children that as so loving, well behaved, and polite, and a husband who is very supportive and loving as well. Here's to many more thanksgivings like this one.

Fantasy of Trees

Wednesday we decided to go to Fantasy of Trees to get into the Holiday mood before heading home to cook for Thanksgiving. Lydia had a great time and Eli enjoyed the food. We tried to take a Christmas Card picture, but of course it didn't turn out at good as expected, so instead of sending it out, I am posting it here. Here are some pictures from Fantasy of Trees. I think Lydia's favorite thing was the Carousel ride. Eli's was the Candy Canes.

More new Hair Cuts

As some of you know I have gone to get my hair chopped off. I really like the new hair cut, and I think Michael LOVES it. He says its flirty/sexy?!? I don't know, looks like how I used to look in High school... except it is angled down... which you can't really see in the picture. Either way... I'm posting a before and after. What do you all think?

Before

Why am I the only one that looks happy in this picture. Also, take note of Eli's first top knot.
After

We did it!

I am sure my mom and sister will be tickled to find out that yesterday we took Lydia for her first hair cut. Ever since Eli's hair cut Lydi has been obsessed about getting hers cut. Michael of course thought of about a hundred excuses not to have it done... but I won. We went first thing in the morning and of course no-one was there! Lydia was so upset, she kept saying "haircut and then lollipop". I'm not sure why they weren't open, but we regrouped and thought we would try again after Eli's nap. So home we went. On our second trip Lydia really couldn't stop talking about it. So we got to the salon and there was one person in front of us, so we went into the waiting room (the kids one with all the toys). Michael was still coming up with reason to leave. First he asked if that was the same person who did Eli's. When I said no, he said, "maybe we should just come back when that person is here, we don't HAVE to do it today". So I made a deal with him, if the kids got fussy before it was Lydia's turn I would come tomorrow without him, but either way it was getting done. The kids were great so Lydia got to hop up in the chair all by herself. She was so excited. It was just a trim, but I have my lock of hair in my envelope to go into the baby book when I find it. The big accomplishment of the day? No tears! (From Lydia or dad)

2 1/2 years old

I can't believe it but Lydia is 2 1/2 years old now. She continues to amaze me daily. She has the sweetest heart and is so polite it hurts. She is very strong willed which I hope she never loses, but learns to aim it at the right things. Lydia gives the absolute best kisses, hugs, and back rubs. She is a beautiful little girl and has an equally beautiful soul. Lydia we love you so much.

Happy Halloween!

Lydia and Eli in their "borrowed" wagon

Eli started out with a dum dum and ate it the whole time. Happy as a lark getting rained on and dragged around.

Eli watching Lydia jump around and say "quack quack"

Though Michael had to work today, we were able to actually have two Halloweens this year. Yesterday we went with our friends the Merlands to the Ronald McDonald Halloween Trail that they had at a park off of Watt Road. Though we all got eaten alive by mosquitoes and lost the Merlands half way through the trail, we still walked away with candy and a red wagon (The Merlands, our van can have tons of stuff in the trunk).

Today, Courtney, or Aunt Tatey known by Lydia, came over and we carved pumpkins, baked pumpkin seeds, and went trick or treating despite the rain. Please don't make fun of the bad carving... I was pressed for time. Eli went as a skeleton and Lydia as a Duck... and she actually wore the hat the whole time. Since we had the wagon, we used it (thanks Merlands), and the kids had a great ride while Courtney and I got great exercise. (We live on a hill... and for some reason no matter what route you take you end up walking up 3 hills and down just one?!?!) Lydia greeted every door with "trick or treat... quack quack". LOL Eli wouldn't let go of his pumpkin to get it filled with candy (that's one kid you don't want to take candy from!) so I had to get it from the homeowners and put it in his bucket.

We had a VERY successful run of trick or treaters too! I had bought 5 bags of candy and I ran out at 7:30 and had to turn off all the lights. (And I only had one piece!)

We also had the wonderful arrival of my first niece, Taylor, today, so Happy Birthday and Happy first Halloween!