Christmas Tree

Since we are traveling for Christmas this year, Rob didn't want to get a tree.  We're not leaving until Christmas Day, but he was worried about the fire hazard if we left it up for two weeks while we were gone.  So we compromised and went with simple decorations which will be easy to take down Christmas morning before we leave.
The kids and I decorated it today and I am very pleased with how happy it looks.  I've all my life had chaotic trees full of unique ornaments which each hold a special sentimental value.  While I love that tradition, it was kind of fun to just go with COLOR for this year.  Decorating it was the perfect way to spend our Ice Day.

Ice Day

The kids are home from school today on account of ice.  It did snow yesterday (so pretty) but not enough to shut down schools.  The layer of ice covering everything though?  That makes shutting down school a good call in my book.

Gavin is thrilled.  He's been outside since before I wanted to be out of bed.  "Everything is covered in ice, Mom!  Everything."

It looks like the Snow Queen came.

Thanksgiving

We had a calm and quiet Thanksgiving this year.  Jasper and Serenity helped me with the cooking.  We all spent the day at home, playing games and eating and enjoying the peaceful day together.  We have so much to be thankful for this year, as always.  Sometimes Thanksgiving seems a day of almost embarrassing abundance.  I think in the next year I would like to put more blessings out there into the world, because I certainly have more than my share!

Happy Halloween!

With the big kids getting close to the end of their Trick or Treating days, and the littles just reaching prime Trick or Treat age, this Halloween was kind of a reminder of what a golden little place in life we're sitting in right now.
And, of course, it was a fun time to dress up and run around in the dark with friends.

Happy Haunting!

Toothless Wonder

Gavin has lost TWO TEETH today! That makes three teeth this week. (5 altogether)
Looking at the way his new teeth are growing in, I am starting to feel worried about braces!

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday we celebrated the birthdays of two of my favorite guys! 

I can't believe Jasper is three years old already!  

I love that he looks so much like himself even just a few minutes old.  

So very glad that he came along and completed our family.  

Balance

Sooo....who wants to take my science test for me tomorrow?  ;)  I am feeling so incredibly unprepared.  I need to go hit the books.  Also need to finish reading "The Witch of Edmonton" and the supplementary readings because it is my week to do a blog post for English class, which is also due tomorrow night.  Good thing I spent literally all day yesterday playing.  ;P

It was much needed playtime though.  Going back to school has definitely required me to become highly skilled at balancing my life.  And sometimes balance requires a day of family fun!

Rob and I went to a lunchtime movie at the new Alamo Drafthouse that recently opened near my parent's home.  Love that place.  We saw "Captain Phillips" and both thought that it was wonderful.  Kids stayed with my parents and had a lovely time.  Serenity is working on knitting some fingerless gloves and brought that project with her because she needed to borrow some needles from Grandma.  Gideon was teaching a Sunday School lesson today and used some of that time to prepare his lesson.  My dad took the little boys for a walk and my mom helped them make rice krispie treats and Halloween crafts.  Everyone was happy.  :)

After that we went to Temple Hill Farm to check out their famous corn maze.  They had a nice little festival there too, with camel rides, and "corn blasters" (guns that shoot corn cobs) and of course animals and a little playground and bouncy area.  It was very nice and not at all crowded (it looked like rain, but didn't actually start raining until just after we got in our car.)  I loved the ambiance.  Very family-friendly, incredibly autumnal without being at all scary or gorey.   Old timey country music playing, happy friendly people...just all around good.  And I got some nice pictures!