GOBBLE GOBBLE

This is our Thanksgiving story.

Ben never shaves on his holiday break.



















My Grandma makes Thanksgiving dinner for 22 people EVERY year.














The guys quickly claim seats for the football games.










Peter plays with dolls (I am saving this for when he is older!!)

















Great- grandkids have a blast together (don't ask me what my boys are wearing).














We have another HUGE (and delicious) Thanksgiving meal.










Ben eats way to much.



















We enjoy a visit with my other grandma.



















My dad and Uncle took her out shopping but. . . (and this is for you Uncle Bill)

















. . .wished they were here instead. . .















So much to be Thankful for this year!!!!


Now I am off to decorate for Christmas and the tree has fallen down a dozen times already, Henry is wrapping himself up in the bubble wrap and Lilly is taking all the glass ornaments out of the boxes. Who came up with the tradition of Christmas trees anyway?

We All Fall Down

What happens when 2 parents and 3 boys come DOWN with the flu on the same day?
Let me choose my words carefully. . . NIGHTMARE.
The only reason the little girl isn't in this # is because she started it all off Saturday night.

So imagine our night: 1 boy crying "I don't want to die!"( because he doesn't like feeling sick), 1 boy throwing up in the bathroom, 1 boy screaming in bed puking his guts out, 1 little girl waking up because of the noise, 1 daddy making trips from the couch to the bathroom and 1 mommy standing in the hallway (waiting her turn to throw up) just praying to Jesus that we make it through!
I know I would never make it through times such as these without Him! I am so grateful for the power of prayer!!! Amen!!










































So even though we "all fall down", we all get back up and have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving (including my extra 6 loads of laundry)!

Too Bad

I wasn't feeling all that great tonight so I decided to stay home from Flock. My wonderful hubby took the rest of the crew with him. And I was left with complete silence!!
As I was hugging everyone good-bye Peter said, "Too bad you have to stay home ALL by yourself tonight."

Ya, real bummer. . .
















(iphoto.com)

One Lucky Girl

I am one lucky girl! I went out on a date with this handsome fellow.
It was such a wonderful time and he was quite the gentleman.
My husband coached Peter on how to treat a lady on a date.
Peter opened the van door for me and let me get in first, but then because our sliding door is so heavy I had to go around and let him in!! Oh well, it's the thought that counts!
In 10 years, look out ladies!!!!!!!!!!
Of course, I hope he will always take me out too. . . even when I am 80!!

Thanks for the nice evening Peter. I love you so much!!!!

Veteran's Day

THANK YOU. . .
to all who flew to keep America strong. . .
(my grandpa flew in the Air Force )















. . .to all who fought for freedom. . .
(my dad and uncle served in the Air Force during Vietnam)













. . .and to those who fight today to keep America the proudest nation on Earth.
(this my brother-in-law Steven fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom)



















You are what makes America so great!!!!!
Happy Veteran's Day!

SQUIRRELS

One of the hats that my husband wears is that of a Landscape Designer. So since it is obviously a seasonal business we must prepare for the "off" season.
There are several things we do to try to trim our budget through the winter months. We buy our Christmas gifts in July, we make sure everyone has shoes that fit and a pair that's a size bigger in case someone has a sudden growth spurt! This year we have also stocked our shelves in the basement and our freezer full of food in the hopes that we will only have to spend a minimal amount on groceries. (We are set if there is a snow storm. Just find your way to us!!)
I was down in the basement arranging things and Peter asked what I was doing. I explained it all to him and his response was, "We are just like squirrels!!!!"
Very exciting for a 7 year old!
So yesterday when I brought some bulk items home, Peter asked if he should put it away in "squirrel storage". I love that kid!
Here is a picture of Peter and I with our food stores. . .


















Oops! Wrong one! Here we go. . .














And off the subject of squirrels - Lilly fell asleep waiting for her brothers to get home from church yesterday. (In case you can't tell from the picture she just bent forward in an office chair.)














The weather was so amazing last night that we had a smores' roast. The bummer was that when we were done and thought the kids could go in and go to bed. . . it was only 6! Ugh, time change.













I'm not sure what Pete was trying to capture here. That is Henry back there.














And on another side note, we are all doing REALLY well! Thanks for all the prayers and support!

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul. Horatio G. Spafford

God saw it right to bring us the startling news that we were expecting #5. He has now seen it right to take that baby.
While we are sad our little one stopped growing and will never come into our home, we are filled with great faith in God. This was His plan, and we rest in comfort knowing this.
Psalm 31:14-15 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD. I say, "YOU are my God. My times are in Your hands."

What joys He has given us. . .

Halloween Weekend

Lately we have been packing as much into each weekend as we can!
This past weekend was no different!
On Friday night we went to a TRUNK OR TREAT at a friends church.
The kids had a blast! We walked around from car to car getting candy.
Then the kids ran around and jumped on blow up things, had a hayride, ate
cookies and drank hot chocolate! It was great.
Costume selections:
Peter - explorer (he came up with this on his own)
Ben - Venom
Henry - Construction worker
Lilly - Ohio State cheerleader
Pete and I - very tired parents (we pull this look off well)















We decided that next year we should decorate Lilly's stroller
like a throne. She sat there all night like a princess. Just eating
her candy.














Love Peter's *glowing* eyes.






































Hayride fun



















On Saturday Pete went here. . .














. . .and sat here (1st row 50 yard line) NICE!!!














*Then on actual Halloween night we went to a friends house
and went out trick or treating with them. I didn't take
any pictures though!

On Sunday we went on a train ride!!!! It was sooo much
fun. We loved seeing the kids faces as we took off!
We rode south for 45 minutes, got off at a farm for 1 hour and
then rode the train back north for 45 minutes. It was a
beautiful day.














Getting ready to pull out of the station.














The kids have seen conductors punching tickets on movies so
this was a highlight for them.














Here we are at the farm.














We went through a corn maze. It was a little scary thinking
the train might take off without us! Thankfully, Peter brought
his compass and we made it out!














Picking pumpkins at the farm.














Loading back up on the train.




























They had a gondola car where you could sit outside on
the ride. The kids loved this (so did we).














Wonderful lasting memories!