Thanksgiving

We were so excited to have my brother, sister-in-law and niece visit from California for the Thanksgiving holiday. My adorable niece, Molly, is one day older than Levi and she was so much fun to have in the house! She's walking and babbling all the time and is super cute! The girls loved showing her all their toys. Levi liked having her around, too, but he's not much into playing with others yet. He did like taking toys from her, though! It was a full house with 6 adults and 4 kids and I loved it!

Molly was in the door about 5 minutes before Erika dressed her up.

Three princesses and one cowboy.

Levi was super happy to share his Cheerios with his cousin.

Aunt Sarah and Laurel....matchy matchy!

Aunt Lisa and Molly.

Laurel covered up Uncle Jacob with a blanket and gave him a pony to take a nap with.

Levi and Molly liked playing with each other and the train table.

Laurel was so good at showing all her toys to Molly and sharing with her. She loves being the "big girl"!

I got a little crazy for Thanksgiving!

Uncle Jacob was in charge of watching all 4 kids for a while.

Levi's first Thanksgiving meal. He loved everything...turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, sweet potatoes, corn casserole, stuffing and pie.

The family.

Molly's first Thanksgiving. She loved all her yummy food!

Thankful

Tis the season to be thankful. This can also be the season to look at what you *want*. So, in order not to become greedy, selfish, and lustful, I am so happy to be reminded of how thankful I am with the life I have!

The 4 most special and important things I am thankful for are these four amazing people.

As long as they are healthy and happy, I am happy!

I am thankful when Levi whines at 1:15 am because he needs a cuddle from his mommy. I know the day will come when he doesn't need cuddles anymore, so I am cherishing the times I get to snuggle my boy now!

I am thankful for Tylenol for my sick, cuddly boy. I am thankful for coffee for mommy.

I am thankful that Erika has a choice of snack to take with her to preschool. It is a blessing to have a cupboard full of food options. It is also a blessing to cook for my family every day.

I am thankful that I have to tell Laurel to stop running, screaming, spinning, or bouncing in the house because it means she is healthy enough to have all kinds of energy to grow and develop. And it's funny to watch her bounce around the house!

I am thankful for our house that keeps us dry from the rain. Sometimes it is a little cold and makes funny noises, but I love my house and the life we have in it.

I am thankful for my family who I get to see in two days and spend my absolute favorite holiday with them!

Leaves

Ever since the first leaf fell off the tree in our front yard, Erika has been begging to go outside and rake! On Sunday, her wish came true and she and Laurel played in the small amount of leaves that were on the ground.

Levi has mastered the "b", "d", and "m" sounds. He will occasionally through in an "l" sound for good measure. However, if you ask him to say anything that starts with "b", he sounds like a genius! It is handy that his favorite toys so far are balls, books and boats. And a tractor, but he can't say that!

And here is just a cute picture of the kids and their daddy.

Beginning of Holiday Festivities

We had a fun Halloween with absolutely beautiful weather! Every year this holiday is more and more fun because the girls understand it better. They loved going around to the houses and getting the candy. Laurel was a pro at going right for the candy bowl whenever anyone would hold it out to her. Plus, it is always fun to show off your super cute kids to neighbors and friends!
Laurel loved leading Judah around to the different cars at our church's trunk or treat on Saturday night.

My two kitties and Superman with their cousin, Judah, as a pumpkin.

Happy Halloween! We have these great Mr. Potato Head type things to decorate the pumpkins with. I love not having to carve a pumpkin!

Daddy painting kitty whiskers and noses on our two cats.

They loved having face paint on! And about 30 seconds after applying the paint, they both rubbed their noses!

Adorable!

This is how we rolled on Halloween night. We started before it was dark and were the first ones out and about, I think. I'm pretty sure we interrupted some people's dinner!

The girls loved walking through the crunchy leaves with Aunt Sarah.

"Can I eat this one?"

Laurel was so excited to have so much candy.

In the bounce house at the Halloween party hosted by the church/preschool that Erika attends. A fun Halloween!