Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving has been a week of family and we have loved everyday of it. It started off on Sunday night with Uncle Robert (Uncle RaRa) arriving first from Arkansas. Then Tuesday Aunt Leslie and the girls got into town and we got to see them for a little bit after Jacob's school. Sadly there are no pictures with them. I also am in the last week of my 8th month- 35 weeks. I can't believe I am 36 weeks this Sunday.Wednesday Jacob didn't have school so we played outside a lot and and joined Daddy and Weston for lunch at Daddy's office.Helping Daddy get caught up at the office.Jacob was too busy playing ping pong to smile for any pictures or even check out Daddy's office.Then that afternoon we joined Leslie and the girls at the mall for play time (again no pictures!)and a visit with Santa Claus. Paige was very scared, but Jacob was so excited and told Santa what he wanted for Christmas. Then Auntie Val, Uncle Jason, Zach and Abbey got in late that night.
Thanksgiving morning the kids woke up so happy to see their cousins and they were fascinated with their dog, Tink, and her kennel. Paige spent as much time playing in it as possible.
Jacob playing with Tink.I love this video of Jacob playing with Tink and Paige in the cage.
The kids were eager to help Auntie Val give Tink her treats for being obedient. Then, Grandma and Papaw arrived around 10:00 and the turkey day officially started. Here are the guys frying the turkey.Paige is SO happy to have Abbey back and she literally wouldn't leave Abbey's side. Except for her nap.Val and Becky were insistent that I was not to do any work. The bun in my oven was the only cooking I was allowed to do. They handled everything involved with the side items. They even did the shopping! It was wonderful. I felt guilty but I also know that the meal wouldn't have turned out as good if I had been cooking because they are wonderful cooks. It was all delicious!And then that night we had pie with Leslie and the girls and even managed to get a grandchild picture.
It was a wonderful week and we are looking forward to tomorrow spent with family before everyone heads home on Saturday. I know for Travis and I, we have so much to be thankful for. And we are.

Putting up the Tree

The kids have been so excited about a Christmas tree this year, so we told them we would put ours up this weekend. Bright and early, 6:55 am, they both came into our room and requested to put up the Christmas tree. We managed to hold them off until after breakfast.
This is our first year to have a big tree. I got some special ornaments that are plastic and kid friendly.Helping daddy.They just couldn't wait to put the "balls" on the tree.Helping with the last piece.Once it was all put together and branches separated, we took a break, ran some errands, had lunch and then went back to decorating the tree.I turn 35 weeks tomorrow, so I found a good spot and had the kids bring me the ornaments and I put a hook on them and then they put them on the tree. It was a good system.The next series of pictures are all reasons Phoenix will most likely not make our Christmas card this year. Enjoy!The top and bottom are my personal favorites!

Fun Friday

We got to have Caleb over on Friday for half the day. He came for breakfast and stayed until 3:00. Unfortunately Jacob was at school when Caleb left and so when I picked him up from school, without Caleb, he was very upset. Seriously! He cried for probably 20 minutes because he wanted to see Caleb. Here they are when he first arrived...so excited.Later that night Paige put on her Cinderella dress for the first time since Halloween. I ask her almost everyday if she wants to wear it and she never does.

Build A Bear

Last night Grandma and the boys (aka Daniel and Connor) came over for dinner and Grandma asked Paige if she wanted to go to Build a Bear. Paige instantly said yes and talked about it the rest of the night, even though she doesn't know what Build a Bear is.
Then all day today she kept saying "make bear." Thankfully Grandma had time after work to go with just Paige and the boys. And thankfully Jacob was at school and didn't know about the plans without him. So, off to Build A Bear they went and they took the camera with them to blog all about it. :)
Here they are arriving at the mall Build a Bear.And out of all the different animals they had to choose from she ended up with a bear. Very appropriate I think.Helping to stuff the bear.And it's made.Time to bathe it and dress it.And it's a girl bear! Named Sissy.She loves her too. Thanks Grandma!