Thanksgiving Weekend Festivities

The morning started off with some baby bonding :)

The table was set and ready to enjoy the company of Michael's Parents and Brother's family at our house. Evan didn't want to 'look at me'. ha ha ha.

Maybe I should put some of that food back?

 The Cook. Don't you wanna kiss him? ;)

Evan pretty much ate everything and Cora tried some yams

My nieces, dinner for 2 anyone? I tried to make up for a too small table by giving them wooden games to play with. :) They are good sports regardless. Love you girls.

The rest of us. Michael's brother Matt is next to him and their mom Jennie who is recovering from a shoulder surgery (it couldn't hurt to add a prayer for her to have a quick and pain free recovery if you don't mind). Across from her is Michael's Step dad George and my sister in law Nanci is my my empty seat. Then of course we have the back of Evan's head but he's in his own world. ;) Our food was yummy thanks to Michael who prepared everything. All I did was clean the house and set the table :).

.THE NEXT DAY.

Our nieces Lauren and Brooke spent the night. Let me pause to say they are the most well behaved children so it is a pleasure to have our 'tweens' over to their cool aunt and uncles house. :) Here I made them yummy Hot Chocolate and I had Hot Carob as a treat before they helped me put our ornaments on the tree. I'm pretty sure I'm going to make this a tradition every year ;). Especially cause they LOVE playing with Evan and holding Cora and I trust them to be sweet to my babies.

Another ornament hanging elf.

 Really concentrating to get the job done right, although he did pause a time or two to actually play with the ornaments when he couldn't get them on right away. :) We came up with a "one finger touch" rule for him that for the most part is successful. He has resisted 'grabbing' the mesmerizing ornaments and lights. C.G., not so much, ha ha ha (pics wouldn't load of her, i think i put too many on this post, opps!)

The finished project.

Some of my favorite ornaments:

Krispy Kreme - it lights up and flashes by battery power and makes me think I'm at the bakery getting a "Hot Fresh Now". Mmmm.

These are Beaded Tinsel's I bought at Pottery Barn a couple years ago. They are sooOO fun for me and for kids to put on and they really add sparkle.

Evan paused to play with this Airplane we won in an ornament exchange at Michael's old work at Asphalt Professionals. We miss those Christmas Parties so much! I still cannot walk past an ornament without wishing I was there for the exchange and it's been 8 years! (can you believe that? wow)

These are Boyd's Bear Snowmen for 1997, the year we were married. Funny story is that my sister Katrina bought it for her daughters "First Christmas" ornament... I was like, Katrina, it's two snowmen kissing! ;) She let me have it for our first Christmas as a married couple. Thanks! LMBO.

What can I say, I used to have a sweet spot for Boyd's stuff. I don't know why but I still enjoy the figurines and ornaments I have though don't really want more.



These two are our tribute to the mission we individually served in Seattle Washington. They make us happy. Although I have never been in or even to the Space Needle, it still reminds me of Washington State. I have however been on a Ferry and love it.



This is our motorized Santa. He "climbs" or "dances" like a puppet when you turn his switch on. His carriage is attached to one of the lights sockets and he's just plain fun. Evan is a little scared of him so far but is warming up. :)

Another winner from the A.P. ornament exchange and all these years later, he's not only still intact but it, along with the airplane bring Evan much joy and opportunities for TIME OUT when he breaks the "one finger touch" rule. :) he he he he.

I'm not sure if I bought this or my mother in law but I just love this cat. It's all raggedy and is 'tangled' in Christmas lights. It's playful and warms my pet lover side... that I used to have. (sorry)

Finally. Last but not least, one of my favorite ornaments is this one that I actually made last year for a homemade ornament exchange here in TN. I love it because, Evan received everything 'he' asked for last year. If you will notice the 6th request down? BIG GRIN. If all his Christmas dreams are going to come true this year like last year,"He" is going to ask for a LOT more stuff this year, I'll tell you that! ha ha ha.