It's a Family Thing!

This was the 22nd year that we have made our gingerbread houses.  (We actually made these the night before Thanksgiving.)  Josh, Lindsey and Maddie weren't able to be here, but I know that they will be glad to know that we have boxes waiting just for them!!  We begin each year by "preparing" our boxes.  Reed always insists that they be structurally sound.  He used to build them for us, but it seems that he now feels we should be able to do it ourselves after so many years........

Here is this year's cast of builders.......We each approach building our houses in different ways.  Sometimes, we plan out in advance exactly what we're going to do.  Or, sometimes we do like I did this year and just wing it!!  Either way, it's lots of fun!

 Caleb had a few hours home alone on building day, so he was quite prepared.  He used pastry bags, made a graham cracker "stucco" finish for his house, and added lots of special little details.   Reed usually plans his out in great detail in advance.  This year he made train complete with a conductor.  I, on the other hand, went freestyle this year!!

 Here are our houses in various stages.  Reed is demonstrating an important step.  If something breaks, if it doesn't fit, or it just looks "yummy" - you eat it!!  This is one of our favorite steps!

And here are the finished products!!

Individual shots- 

This is mine-

Caleb's-

 

And Reed's-

To me the Christmas season doesn't really start until the candy houses are built........

Merry Christmas!!

Thankful

 Family gatherings are such an enjoyable time.  I love seeing relatives that we don't see nearly often enough, watching the children grow and change, seeing how excited they are to see each other, and eating entirely too much wonderful food!  Josh, Lindsey and Maddie weren't able to come and we greatly missed them.  However, it was still a special day for all of us.

Papa and Reed fried up some great tasting turkeys out back in the shop.....

 Back at the house, everything is ready.  It was such a beautiful day, we ate outside.

 Kristie and her dad, Yvonne, Caleb, Papa, and Brooke are waiting to eat (along with the rest of us)!

 Wonderful food!!

Enjoying each other's company!

 Climbing trees and football - a winning combination!

And after a long day of eating and playing, it's rest time! (Don't you love Brooke's face?  That's the I've had enough pictures look!)

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on all the blessings we have.  Time spent with family and friends is one of the greatest blessings of all........Can't wait until Christmas!!

To Grandmother's House We Go

Each Thanksgiving we journey over the hills and through the woods (or up the street about 1/2 a mile) for a wonderful time at Grandmother and Papa's.  I am responsible for the corn casserole and relish tray.  This year, thanks to my new best friend, Pinterest, I decided to enlist Caleb and spice things up a bit.........

Here is a step by step account of making our special turkey......

And here is the finished project!!

Now, what are the odds that someone else would bring the same thing?  Obviously pretty good, because that is just what happened!  Here is Kristie's version-

More on our wonderful Thanksgiving coming soon..........

If Its Got Wheels........

As Pop says, "If its got wheels, we'll ride it."

Bikes......

 Big Wheels.........

Front End Loaders.......

And even seeders.........

They're also pretty good on sand piles.......



Houston, We Have a Problem.......

And that problem's name is Kitty.  First, (don't judge) I know it's not Thanksgiving yet, but I have decked the halls at our house.  Kitty for one approves!

Tree Decorated-I usually put up two, but not this year!

It took Kitty about 30 seconds to discover his new favorite place!!  Under the tree!

He loves playing with the ornaments, and  has already broken two.

If I can't see her, do you think she can see me?

This soft one is lots of fun!

 OOPS!  Caught again!!

Excuse me while I take a little bath!

And after a hard morning of playing, it's naptime!

So, I have moved ornaments off the bottom (like I did when Caleb & Lindsey were little), I've swatted, I've screamed........  Suggestions? (That don't include a shotgun)

Horses and Whales

We enjoy feeding our neighbor's horses, and they love when we bring apples.  Reed also has a horse that isn't very people friendly.....We were down at the hayfield recently with Maddie, and she wanted to feed it, too.  We didn't have any apples, but we did have some whale cheese crackers.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves on just how that went!

First, feeding the neighbor's horses is always fun!

We always save some to enjoy ourselves......

Now, notice how Bonnie Rose enjoys the whales!

We came back later with apples, and Bonnie Rose still wasn't too sure at first!!!

Maddie noticed this little fellow at the edge of the woods before Pop or I saw it......

My Favorite Things

A Few of My Favorite Things-

A warm sunny day

The smell of rain and clean sheets

The changing colors of fall

Frost covered trees on a sunny winter morning

The feel of a child’s hand inside of mine

The smell of fresh spring air

The sun setting over the river

 A good laugh

Words of encouragement

A sincere thank you

A friendly smile

A nice warm hug

The smell of fresh-cut grass

Watching the sunrise

 The beach

A gentle morning rain

Playing hooky

Watching my family on Christmas morning

Making someone smile

And watching her  play-

 
No amusement parks or fancy toys -- just sand and fun!

Oh Happy Day

Reed and I recently attended the wedding of a very special cousin of mine at Old Waverly in West Point.  This was the perfect setting for the beautiful bride and her sweet groom.  I always enjoy any opportunity to see family members that I don't feel I see nearly enough.

The Happy Couple-Cassandra and Gil

My Sweet Aunt Doris, also known as the Mother of the Bride

And my favorite(just kidding Gerald) Uncle Michael, also known as the Father of the Bride

 Sisters-Adrian, Cassandra, and Bethany

The reason you are only seeing Cassandra's eye here is that these beautiful flowers are the focus. Her bouquet was made in honor of our Grandmother, who LOVED anything red, especially flowers. Grandmommie would have loved this so much!!

 There were many beautiful arrangements throughout, but this table was also made in remembrance of our Grandmother.  How Special!!

Bob and Kathy-I simply love them both dearly!

 Doris and Reed

Other than the bride and groom, this little guy was the hit of the day. 

Adrian and Bubba's new bundle of joy-Harrison!

Have I mentioned that we have another one on the way?  Holding him only reaffirmed how excited we are about that!  There is nothing any sweeter than a newborn!

Except maybe a precious 2 year old-like Tyson!  He's about 6 months younger than Maddie, and he really reminded me of her as I watched him play.  They are both at such adorable stages!

How cute is this?  You placed your thumbprint on this tree and signed your name as a remembrance.

Did I mention that they had a photo booth complete with props?  Reed and I were about 16 the last time we were in one of these. I had to do a little persuading to get Reed in there.  We also had a little trouble finding out exactly where the camera actually was, but it really was fun!!