Charlotte's preschool performance

Charlie had a wonderful preschool program. She performed as the Star of Christmas and as a "dolly" during one of the songs. She loved meeting the "real" Santa as you can see with the obvious adoration in the bottom picture. I am still very pleased to see that our preschool presents Christ as the center of Christmas by performing the nativity.

 

 

 

 

Valentine Decoration

 

I've been having fun doing some crafts with a friend. This is my Valentine's project.

Harvest Decorating

Clean baby...

What is better than a clean baby?

Thanksgiving...a nearly perfect day.

Click on collage to see larger version

This year we hosted the Peterson family Thanksgiving. It was a delight. Of course we had a little hiccup with Ava getting an ear infection 2 days before so my prep time was seriously compromised. Thanks be to my parents and to Chad's for rescuing me and entertaining my children.

We had many people cancel because of various reasons (it's hard to have extended family parties) so we had 24 there instead of the 50 that were invited. It made for a cozy meal and plenty of leftovers. We missed those who were gone...but had a great time.

We went to see "Disney's A Christmas Carol". It was delightful! Happy Holiday's everyone.

Awwww, that dang front tooth.

Belle finally lost that dang tooth. Belle has been jiggling this front tooth for so long, driving me crazy. She knows how happy I am when I get to pick, prod, lance, wrap any body part. So she came to me, "Mom, will you give me a back massage if I let you pull my tooth?" Heck, yes! Here is the end result. All of that excitement and then the Tooth Fairy missed our home. She must have been so busy that night (smile).

P.S. Belle lost her other front tooth 2 days ago. I didn't have to donate my massage skills for the favor of pulling this one. She let me pull it because she looooooooves me.

P.S.S. She lost her second bottom tooth two nights ago.

Another hobby to add to my list...will I ever settle on just a couple?

I canned for the first time! I tried a couple of salsa recipes and a basic red sauce. Another hobby that I can add to my list. I also brought in my green tomatoes before the freeze. I'm told if I keep the cool and dry I will have ripe tomatoes until December. We'll have to see.

The cutest chicken I've ever seen...

Oh,my....Kate is so adorable. Her mom was a bumble bee and I am the greasy looking witch next to her with my adorable leopard. We had a full day with my moms side of the family. My
Aunt Darlene threw a Halloween carnival for our family and some neighbor kids. She put in a ton of work preparing a yummy lunch and fun booths for the carnival. Hannah mentioned several time..."This is the best Halloween ever!"

We went to our neighborhood trunk or treat...which I have boycotted the last three years. I really think they are meant for a night other than Halloween, for toddlers 3 and under who's parents don't want to go door to door, for scary inner-city neighborhoods, or large apartment complexes. But, I have children who have perfected the art of manipulation. "All my friends from church will be there. I want my teacher to see my costume." So we went. I ran out of candy bars (I gave out 2 for each child) which means I gave to 190 children/teens. Then we gave bags of popcorn at our home for the rest of the night. Another 120 children served. Plus, my kids started giving away their own candy not wanting anyone to go without. I had to put the kibosh on all that. Can you believe over 300 children in one night? My smart little eye tells me that several of those trunk-or-treaters came a couple of times....hmmmmmm....

She's seven months...a month ago. Lame, mom!

Ava has been seven months for, well...about a month now. Here she is showing us her beautiful and diverse smiles. Thanks to Jill for the jumper. She loves it.

This is often her most familiar smile. She has one I haven't captured for awhile now which I love. It's a crooked half smirk. It just melts my heart.

Confessions of a guilty mother...

So....I have a confession. I need to get this off my chest. Friday morning I went with Charlie's preschool class to the Black Island Farm pumpkin patch. It was 35 degrees and drizzling the whole time. We had on hats,coats and gloves. Ava was bundled in her blankets and coat. We went on a hay ride and saw the pumpkins, corn, carrots, and onions. Then we let the kids run around and play on the slides and such. I was pushing Ava around in her stroller, trying to keep an eye on all the other children (my girls were all there since school was out and I was responsible for another child in Charlotte's class). If you've been to Black Island Farm you know that there is a large field with various attractions. I was pushing the stroller along the bumpy straw-like grass when the stroller halted. I though I'd hit a ditch or run into a rock. I pushed the stroller a little harder only to hear a short high pitched squeal. Yes, that's right. I was running over my baby. I must have forgot to buckle her into the stroller and with the large tarp covering the stroller from the drizzle I didn't have a good view of my bundled infant. I looked down in horror at Ava as she lay face down on the stiff grass. She couldn't move because of the blanket wrapped tightly around her. Notice in the picture the rash on the right side of her face. Yep...I am a horrible mother!

Peterson Halloween party

Claudia and Dad..this was not planned! Cousin Cozette
Cousin Parker

Cousin Michelle (Kate...chicken), Kristie & Ava, Charlie hiding.

Cousin Ashley is the blob!

My little goulies...

The witching hour...

Do you recognize the witch under those feathers?

Random beautiful pictures

Click on the above collage to see the pictures up close. These were taken by myself, my brother John, and my dad! It runs in the genes; a love of nature and country!

Halloween Goodies...

My cousin, Kim has a very creative touch. She made these spooky cupcakes for our family Halloween party. Check out the eyeballs and mummies. They are my favorite.

Itsy bitsy spider....

Fall is almost over...

Click on picture to see larger.

Fall is definitely my favorite time of year. My wedding was in October. Two of my 4 children were conceived in the fall...TMI. I have tons of fall home decor. I love my orange chrysanthemums. I love that clean cool smell in the morning. I love the changing of the leaves...That kind of sounds like "the changing of the guard." Hee Hee. I love spicy pumpkin smells. I love sleeping with my widow open and snuggling into my comforter. I love the moldy smell of dying leaves. I love reading by a roaring fire. I can go on and on....

My parents joined me and the girls for a trip up the canyon. It was beautiful and memorable.