Preschool Feasts, Our day of Thanks, and a cousin sleepover!

Last Wednesday, Lila's Preschool had a little "Feast with a Parent".

I tell ya... you would never think a little macaroni in a styrofoam cup could be so sweet!

They did a few of their usual activities, sang their prayers, then showed us parents to our seats.

They had colored us placemats, and then (with help from their teachers), they served us our Feast!

It melted my heart!

We also made a little Turkey magnet to put on the fridge!

Ryan celebrated Turkey Day in Wisconsin with his Dad, Grandma, and extended family.

I spent the day with my Mom and family and although we missed each other, it was nice that we each got to see our families.

The day was nice, the girls did well, and I was reminded of all the things I have to be Thankful for!

(My mom does a wonderful job hosting, everything looked So Pretty!)

Black Friday was spent with me at work, then rounding up my nephews for a weekend of kid-crazy chaos!

As Ryan was still in Wisconsin, it was just me and the 4 rugrats until Saturday night!  

While I feel I managed fairly well, and all the kids has fun, and we remained without major injury...

I'm confident in my choice to NOT have 4 children!

Whew!

Pizza, Pancakes, Bounce Houses, Playgrounds, and Play-Doh... there wasn't a dull moment!

Sunday, Ryan took the boys home and my Dad came for a nice visit!

We had a good lunch and got some work done in the garage. (THANK YOU DAD!)

We're off to visit the Big Guy in Red today and then it's BASEMENT COMPLETION MODE

until it's finished!

I can't wait to show a few pictures... it's going to look Great!

pooped

it's been a wild few weeks.

and it's only going to get worse!

A day of Thanks, cousin sleepover all weekend, and finish-the-basement project in full force!

We made the decision to not only host both Christmas and a New Years party, 

but to finish our basement before that time

(yes, we're completely nuts)

I had my two nephews stay with us for the weekend,

and Ryan was gone hunting for 1/2 the time, so I managed them solo!

The holidays are here and everyone is in tinseled Chaos...

blogging has fallen to the lower portion of the "to-do" list.

we're pooped.

I currently have the intention to follow up on our

recent events with individual posts...

we'll see how that goes ;)

November odds and ends

Ryan was gone this past weekend.

It's hunting season you know.

The girls and I hung out, tackled some housework,

and put out a small chunk of our Christmas decorations.

The weather was phenomenal and overall, it wasn't too bad a weekend.

(not that I look forward to two more weekends of it, but whatever.)

I was working on some holiday gift projects and found a few picts

from this month and threw a few in from this weekend.

No rhyme or reason... just a smattering of this and that.

My dad's friend, Konny, made this for Lila.  So cute, right?!

Ellie likes to put Daddy's hair in ponytails... future stylist?

I love Boone

We like to sit on the table and do puzzles.  They actually worked on them together for almost 30 minutes~! It was the most quiet I had all weekend!

They had so much fun decorating Lila's little tree!  Don't worry, I bought E one too, we put that up tonight!

Konny made E's blue one too.  Seriously, so cute!

Love

This is my Elaina.

Tonight it was my turn to put her to bed.

We rocked and read,

then we snuggled in bed and I sang her Over the Rainbow... it's her favorite.

Then I kissed her head, said "I love you baby" and she says

"I love you too, Mommy.  I love it when you put me to bed."

Be still my heart.

Pretty

A day with the Volovsek's

Last Sunday we gathered at my in-laws and enjoyed family time!

We had a big ole' photo shoot scheduled, but Ryan's oldest sister at the last minute was unable to attend, so pictures were cancelled, but we all like to eat... so that's what we did.

Ryan played Chef, the menu including DELICIOUS prime rib!

We also celebrated a special little girls' 6th Birthday!

The kids are getting to an age where they really just enjoy each other! They played together so well and it was the first gathering in a long time, that the adults actually had time to visit and enjoy the company, instead of just managing our children!

So fun!  Can't wait to get the gang together again at our home for Christmas!!

Love you all!

Visiting

This morning, the girls and I went to visit a friend of mine and her precious little girl!

It was so fun watching Lila and Elle love her up!  Talking to her, smiling at her, and giving us a play-by-play of her every move!

She just had these huge blue eyes that followed them everywhere, like "who the heck are these crazy kids in my house?!" Haha!

Julie, as always... it was a pleasure visiting.  Our conversation was a bit scattered and broken, due to my wild children running rampant in your house.
I'm sorry about the wake of destruction my girls leave behind! 
We'll have to get together again soon, you know you guys are always welcome!

Love you!

Holmes

What can I say about this family?

?

How about, I love them?!

They're awesome!

So much fun!

Got a chance to snap my shutter in their direction last weekend, 

pretty fun if I do say so myself!

By the way, Kris is pretty talented with a camera... check her out at http://krisholmesphotography.com/

The Bump

I think anyone who knows me, knows that I can't resist a baby bump!

I love em'!

Big. Tiny. Lopsided (yes, that happens).

Doesn't make a difference to me... I think they are they greatest!

I happen to make a living working with bumps,

 which allows me the opportunity to touch them without falling into that "creepy-stranger-with-a-weird-smile" category!

Last weekend, a childhood friend of mine met me at a lovely spot and allowed me to snap some photos of her, her hubby, and her bump! 

 Oh, their pup came along too! :)

Kelli, you did great! And looked lovely! 

I'm so excited for you both, and to see the gift inside that wonderful bump!

Boo!

Belated, but here it is... the Halloween post!

The whole day was lots of fun, starting with Lila wearing her costume to Preschool!

For this mama... it was so wonderful!  Seeing Lila and her little friends excited together, checking out each others costumes! So cute!

Then we head over to my mom's and spent the afternoon running around doing errands.

Ryan came over after work and we had dinner quick before gearing up to go candy snatching!

I think we had as much fun as the girls!

It was wonderful watching my two precious girls, so excited and lit up!

Elaina could hardly contain herself and Lila was acting like a typical big sister, telling Elle just how things were going to go! Ha!  We had to do a little reminding to actually SAY "Trick or Treat" , but they did pretty good with their "Thank You's!"  

Our little Minnie Mouse, and Rapunzel...  the most beautiful I've ever seen!

Also... just wanted to note, that both of the girls costumes were formerly dance costumes of my sister and I. It was pretty fun to be able to use things from my childhood for my own girls!