Decorating the Christmas Tree

We went and bought a smaller Christmas tree to fit in our smaller home.  It was kinda fun picking out new ornaments and decorations.  This year, we let the kids pick and they were thrilled!  The result... a very, very colorful tree.  They did such a good job, I think they have officially been named our Christmas Tree Decorators!
Here are a few pictures of the process...

Chloe irritated with me taking pictures.

Samantha can't wait to start decorating.

The girls playing with the garland. 

On themselves, instead of the tree.

Daddy helping Chloe put on the star. 

Daddy and Cody fixing the top. 

The finished product. Great job, kiddos!

Can you tell that Chloe is tired of my picture taking?!  :)

Thankful

There are so many reasons for us to be thankful.  This past year has been one with many ups and downs, but through it all we have had so many blessings.

Here is what I am most thankful for...

God.  ~His grace and love hold me up.

My husband, Chad.  ~You love me in spite of all my mistakes and imperfections.  

My beautiful children.  Cody, Samantha and Chloe.  ~I feel so blessed to be your mom.  

My family.  ~Who stands behind me, regardless.  I feel your love everyday, even from a distance.

Friends.  New and Old. ~You love me even when I'm not so polished and put together.(which is always)

Schreiber Foods.  ~For giving my husband a job that he loves.  

Karate.  ~Cody loves karate.  Jeb, his teacher, was the first reason Cody said that he liked living in Missouri.

Dance.  ~Samantha loves to dance.  Her eyes light up each day she goes to her classes.

Our home.  ~As small and cramped as it is, it is filled with so much love.  

Freedom.  ~I love our country and those that put their lives on the line to defend it.

Mr. Bubbles.  ~My first born, furry child.  Our family first started with you.

And, those not so important, but things I love...

Diet Dr. Pepper

Nap time quietness

Road trips
Dishwashers

Lazy days in our jammies

Diet Dr. Pepper

Facebook

Blogging
Music

My camera

Lists

Diet Dr. Pepper

Happy Thanksgiving!!

My Baby Boy

Last week, the kids and I were in the vehicle on the way to the park to play with some friends. Out of the blue, Cody decides to announce "Mom, in 9 years I'm going to be 17 years old."

My heart sank.

I shared with Cody my feeling on this issue. I simply told him, "Cody, you will always be my baby boy."

Then, I proceeded with the same comments I always give him when he eludes to getting older and moving away. (How dare he dream of such a thing.)

"Cody, you'll never leave mommy, right?!" "Just stay 8 forever and never get any bigger."

He gets the sweetest little grin on his face that produces those dimples in his cheeks and says, "Mom, don't worry. You'll probably go crazy and never even know I'm gone."

Big Plans

With the election last night, we had been watching news coverage most of the evening about it.  This is a conversation I overheard Cody and Samantha having in regards to the election...

Cody - "Samantha, did you know that there has never been a girl president?"

Samantha - "Really, Cody?"

Cody - "Yep.  Hey, Samantha.  What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Samantha - "Well, I don't really know yet."

Cody - "I know.  How about you be the president?  That way, you will be the first girl president."

Samantha - "Yeah.  That might work.  Yep.  That's what I'll do."

Cody - "This is going to be so great!"


So, you heard it here first.  :)  Miss Samantha is going to be the first girl president.

I just love them to pieces and I love that they dream big!

Carving Pumpkins for the First Time

Chad and I had Parent Teacher Conferences last week.  We asked our neighbors to watch the kids for us.  Ron and Cheryl love the kids and the kids love them right back.  To no surprise, Ron and Cheryl had a fun night planned.  They bought pumpkins and wanted to carve them with the kids.  A very exciting event because this would be the kids' first time carving a pumpkin.

They had a great time and the pumpkins turned out great!!

Cody's Ghost Pumpkin

Samantha and Chloe's Cat and Moon Pumpkin

Happy Halloween!

Like every year before, the kids were so excited for Halloween.  They began asking to put their costumes on to go Trick-or-Treating shortly after breakfast.  We were able to fend them off until about 5 o'clock.  We decided to attend a Trunk-or-Treat event at the Baptist Church in town.  People lined the parking lot and handed candy out from their decorated trunks.  It was definitely something different, but the kids enjoyed it and got plenty of candy.

 

Cowgirl Chloe

Army Diva Samantha

Boba Fett Cody

Trick-or-Treating with our friends

Trevor, Ethan, Cody, Samantha and Chloe

At the last minute

Last minute plans are my specialty.  Our schedule is rarely planned.  We fly by the seat of our pants most of the time and that's the way we like it.

We don't get too excited about distant plans because more than likely the wind will change direction and we'll do something else.  

Call it a flaw, call it spontaneous, whatever it's called....It fits us!

So, it was Friday morning and I had a thought of going home for the weekend.  It seemed like a lifetime since I have seen my nieces and nephews.  I kinda brushed the idea off, but the more the day went on the idea kept creeping it's way back in.  

By 3 p.m. when I was picking up the kids, the idea was setting in.  So, I asked the kids when they jumped in the car.  No complaints from them.  They were all in.    Okay, Game on!

We got home.  I grabbed our suitcases and the packing began.  During the packing, I figured I better call Chad and let him know the plans.  He was still at work so the conversation went a little like this:  "Honey, the kids and I want to go to Nebraska for the weekend.  I'm packing our suitcases now.  I'll pack yours too and if you can go with us, Great!  If not, no big deal."  He said, "Okay." (with no shock, cause he knows how we are)

The packing continued and we were ready and loaded by 6 p.m.  Chad got home right in time and we were on the road shortly after.

Although it was a fast and fiery type weekend, it was still great to be home.  

We spent time at my dad's shop(S & S), there was fun in the combine with Uncle Jeremiah and Uncle Kelvin, there was riding in the grain truck to the elevator with Grandpa, there were horsey rides for the girls at Aunt Kim's, Go-cart and 4-wheeler rides for all the kids, and lots of running around outside!  What more could a kid ask for?  

Chloe on the slide. 

Cody loves riding the 4-wheeler.

Samantha is hanging out on the play set. 

Chloe playing tea. 

Dylan and Cody playing the DS. 

The girls are working on a project. 

Cody giving Logan a ride. 

This is trouble!!

My little man, Dylan isn't so little anymore.  

Logan playin Samantha's DS. 

Miss Maddie with the jewelry on!

Chloe with the helmet on.  The strap is in her face... :)

Oh, girls!

What a beautiful face!

Cody, I love those holes in your cheeks!

We left Sunday shortly after lunch.  

This was the view from the front seat about twenty minutes into our drive back to Missouri. 

This is the sign of a GREAT weekend!!