Tis Christmas Time Once Again...

Our halls have been decked in red, green, garland and twinkling lights....



Our rooftop is sparkling with white lights, our windows are aglow, and we even have a happy little snowman lighting up our flower bed...



A lovely layer of white covers our yard...






And last but not least...our tree is up and decorated in all her glory (the question is will she survive the wrath of Lincoln).


Yep, we're ready!!!

Are you??

ThAnKsGiViNg!!

We enjoyed a lovely, quiet little day of thanks!! A few shots before we headed to Grandmas....Carson, Lincoln, and a box of toothpaste. Lincoln was unwilling to part with it, it had Thomas the train on it and it became his new best friend.


My 3 lil' turkeys...


And me and one little baby turkey...cooking away in his little oven. Haha. Drakey, can't believe we are already 31 weeks my boy...you will be here with your mama before I know it.

We spent the day with my mom and Dean, in these beautiful surroundings...







My mom sure knows how to set the festive mood, doesn't she. I love her home.



We were a small group this year. It was my moms year but for some reason Jenny and Ashley both went with their inlaws. Ask me if I was annoyed....yeah, at first I was. However, it turned out to be such a pleasant, quiet, happy day.


The minute we got there, Carson ran around admiring my moms decorations. He truly appreciates the finer things in life. He spent most of his afternoon, standing in front of her tree, playing with all of her ornaments. My mom being the sweet Grandma that she is, went ahead and let him.


Even though there was only 6 of us, my mom still went all out.


The boys watching Papa Deano carve the bird.


Carson helped set the table...


while Lincoln chomped away on a candycane.


Our Thanksgiving spread...


Lincoln got his own spot at the big table (with the china, might I add). I was a nervous wreck the whole time trying to keep him from not flinging his food around and breaking my moms nice dishes. Next time, he goes back to the bar with plastic utensils and plates.


Ahh, the pies...my favorite part. My mom makes the most delicious homemade pies, they are probably my most favorite of all desserts. I tried pretty much every flavor she made. In fact, I have a leftover piece of banana cream upstairs in my fridge that is calling my name right now.....yum!



After dinner, Lincoln took a much needed nap


Thiago watched football


While Carson took turns snuggling up to me...


and then my mom while we watched "Christmas Vacation".

My sisters both got there later that night, better late than never you naughty girls...but by that time we had to head out so we could stop and say hi to my inlaws.

It was a perfectly delightful Thanksgiving day!!!

Count your many blessings....

What better day to do that than today....Thanksgiving! I have about a million other things I should be doing this morning to get us ready for the big day. However, I couldn't resist sitting down here at my computer, with the glow of my Christmas tree lights, sipping hot chocolate and listening to the TV talk about the Macy's parade that is about to start. My children and hubby are still sound asleep and I wanted to make a quick list about the things I am most grateful for. I don't want that to go unnoticed on this most special of days.


They are truly the simple pleasures in life...

Watching my littles laugh, and run, and play together....seeing that bond that is continually forming right before my eyes.

Sitting in my last ultrasound, watching my tiniest babe kick away. Knowing in just 9 short weeks I will be holding another little piece of my heart.

A husband who held tight to my arm last night, as he helped me in the car. Knowing I am his whole little world and he is always there to catch me if I fall.

A mom who is effortlessly baking away this morning. Preparing a Thanksgiving feast for her family.

A peaceful, beautiful home that invites a warm and welcoming spirit for my children. Provides for them a safe haven from this crazy world.

A checkbook to balance. We certainly have our tight moments as far as money goes, but we provide for our children. They never go without, and I am thankful for that.

Our good health, an eye-opening realization of Carson's little heart problem has made me soooo grateful for the health of me and my children. There is so much worse out there.

Extended family who is always there to lend support, offer a laugh, and most importantly love us unconditionally. What is this time of year without family, glad that is something I never have to worry about.

The freedoms and rights of this beautiful country we live in, and most of all those who fight to defend that.

The knowledge and testimony of a Savior who is the reason behind all we celebrate. So grateful for the birth of our baby Jesus, for his life and the teachings he taught, for his ultimate gift of love....the atonement which allows us all to live again.


I do indeed live a blessed life. So much around me to grasp on to and never let go of. There are moments that bring us down all of the time, however there is also so much good to hold on to. For me it all starts and ends with these three....almost four.



Happy Thanksgiving all....and remember to count your blessings.

"Little Tree"

Needed to show of my handi-work. Carson had a Thanksgiving Feast today at preschool. Each of them chose whether to be a Pilgrim or an Indian. Cars chose an Indian and the teacher sent him a brown grocery bag home to make a costume. We spent 2 hours on this thing yesterday, getting it just right. I kinda felt bad cause the idea was for him to do it, but you know me on this kind of thing. I sorta take over, can't help it. He did do all the glueing, drew the lines and decided what colors to use. The rest was all me. Except for the name, he chose his name. We told him Indians have names using nature. We asked him what his favorite thing outside was and he said tree....Little Tree! One stinking cute Indian if you ask me.


Yep, he fits the part.

P.S. Lincoln ripped the headband the minute Cars got home....made for a mad little Indian.