Busy Elves

What a fun month we are having preparing for the holidays. The kids are quite the little elf helpers. It's so much fun watching them discover this magical time. They know exactly who Santa is but they were a little unsure of meeting him in person. Apparently he's great fun to read about and to watch on TV but to meet the jolly ol' man is a different story. Check out all of our fun preparations and celebrations from the past couple of weeks.

   

Check out our dance moves!

Making gingerbread men with Jessy

Mom, let me help you with the sugar

Oh Mary Alice it plays music! This is awesome!

The Neal's log cabin is full of Christmas fun! 

I know this one talks or plays music too.

I'll be in charge of making the train go around the tree. 

A candy cane treat for being on the nice list. 

We feel much better about meeting Santa with Mom and Dad close by.      

Quality control...yep mom I think the pretzels will be good. 

Chocolate yummy treats

Christmas with Jessy & Morgan - Trevor came too!

Little Drummer Girl

So Very Grateful

We have so much to be grateful for this year....kids, family and wonderful friends. The Thanksgiving holiday was about spending time with each other and Papa and Lulu. We enjoyed our feast and the kids certainly liked every bit. We learned that Jack LOVES cranberries and Hope can polish off a good size slice of pumpkin pie. In addition to Thanksgiving, we were also able to celebrate my big birthday. I felt very blessed throughout the days leading up to my birthday. I received cards and treats from family and friends from all corners of my life for 40 days. The best gift of all though came from the kids.  Hope sang "Happy Birthday" to me and Jack chimed in. Check out the stellar performance below. 

Wait a minute, I'm supposed to be the princess.

I can wear a tiara too.  

Peek!

I see you!

Mmmmmm.....Pumpkin Pie

This candy can go on the roof, the next one will go into my mouth.

Does the candy really have to go on the house? 

Making progress on the house.

Yes kids the tree is coming into the house. 

Birthday celebration

Blessed

Now that the tree is up, we can play with the nativity set.

Kicking Off the Holidays!

We are kicking off the holiday season already at our house. This is the week the party begins......Thanksgiving, my birthday and Christmas fun galore. We got started a little early on Saturday night. We had a family adventure to Crown Center and Union Station to see the trains. Jack has become quite fond of trains. This adventure was right up his alley. Hope loved them too but was more interested in the phone at Fritz's than anything. We've been able to avoid Fritz's for 18 years. Saturday seemed like the right time to break our streak. Fritz's is a hamburger joint where you call in your order on the phone at your table and a toy train delivers your burger and fries right to you. It's gimmicky but kids go crazy and love it. Ours were no different and highly entertained. The best part was that we were not the only traveling circus eating there. We fit right in.

These are the moments that make my heart happy!

Hope, we need to look at the menu BEFORE we call in our order.

Look Daddy....Choo-Choo! 

I'd like two cheeseburgers, fries and two milks please. 

This is going to be awesome! 

         Toy train fun.        

I'm waiting for Thomas to come back around.

The Lego trains were fun to build.

Making some friends at the train table.

Waiting in line to ride the choo-choo.

I don't like riding without my sister.
In fact, I screamed to make sure everyone knew I was not happy. 

Yay! Conquered the toy train at Union Station!

Night cap...a quick snack and a drink before bed. What a fun night!

Fun in the Fall...

We are enjoying the fall weather in Kansas. It's been perfect for some outdoor play, trips to see friends and staying warm and cozy inside on cooler days. Life is full and fun at our house.

Dad is going to really appreciate my help.

It'll go faster with two of us working on this project.

I think I'll work on clearing the front walk.

Our work is done, now it's time to play!

Ummm I'm kind of sinking into this big pile. 

I'm just going to take a rest on this comfy pile. 

Time for a tea party!

Artist at work

I'm loving this busy box...what a fun book!

This is the good life! Rocking on the porch at Neal's log cabin. 

So many comfy chairs to check out on the porch.

Lazy movie night at home. 

Dad, I've got the pliers for ya. 

Wow Hope, you look like a princess in those sparkly shoes. 

Party on! Celebrating friend Luke's 3rd Birthday.