Soon to come....

A post just about Gabe. I seem to leave him out of the mix.

Recipes - I did say I was going to participate in Shelly's Recipe Extravaganza.

Progress.....

SHE DID IT. I can't believe that girl, she actually skated by herself, right on schedule. Granted it was only 10 feet at the most, but she did it. I know Madi planned it that way - it was her third week and she skated, just like she told me she would after the first practice.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT JENNIFER!!!!!!! How old are you? j/k

She might be right.....

Last week Madi made a little progress learning to skate.

She was so funny in the car on the way to practice. She told me, "Mom I don't want the blue helmets to help me, I only want the guy with the mustache." I asked "Madi, why do you like the guy with the mustache?" I didn't remember anybody with a mustache from the prior practice and I was confused about the blue helmets. She said "The guy with the mustache is so SMILEY." When we arrived at the rink - I knew what she ment.

The guy with the mustache, wore a white helmet and indeed was smiley. Most of the other coaches had on blue helmets. Three different coaches helped Madi last weekend. I am so impressed with how patient, helpful, and sincerly nice all of the volunteers are.

Madi CAN skate with just a bucket when she wants, but I think she gets nervous when someone isn't right next to her helping. She would freeze, when her helper would skate away to help someone else. I did witness that Madi can skate with just a bucket for at least about 20 feet. It's progress. We need to work with her at home a little bit more.

We will see what this week brings, perhaps, it will be just as Madi planned and she will skate without the bucket. Not likely.

100th Post

It has taken over a year for me to get to 100, but I did it.

.... and just because posts are boring w/out pictures here's a cute one of Madi.

Picking the Perfect Tree

Every year on Black Friday, we pick out our Christmas Tree. This year was no exception and we picked a good one. We always go with grandma Valerie and Grandpa Noal. Once we bring it home, we put it up right away and follow up with Cincinnati Chili and a Christmas movie.

I wish we would have taken a family picture by the tree we cut for our house, but it was too windy and the kids wanted to get out of the cold.

The kids were so cute on the way home from tree cutting. We listened to Christmas songs and the kids tapped to the beat and Madi attempted singing every song - she knew none of the words. She must have learned that from me. A few times I had Mike turn down the music because I thought Madi was crying or trying to tell us something - Madi came back with "Turn up the Music, I can't hear." There favorite songs were: The Little Drummer Boy and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Madi is really excited for Christmas. She was a little confused about the Christmas season versus Christmas day, but I think we have that straightened out. Madi hung her stocking on the front door and on Saturday and Sunday morning she checked it, to see if Santa had brought her any treats yet. She was so cute and was going to ask her grandparents to send Santa to our house if they saw him first. We've explained to her about the holiday season and I think she understands a little better now.

Hockey

Madi is learning how to play hockey. Well the first week she was pushed around on a bucket. But, she will tell you that's the first step. This week she says she's going to push the bucket and by next week she thinks she can skate all by herself because that's what "he" told her. "He" is Jared B, and he has more patience than I do. Practice is one hour and he is teaching Madi to skate so she can maybe one day play hockey. He's not only teaching Madi but 15 other little tikes. I guess he's not alone, there are 4-5 other coaches on her team alone. The other team of termites has another 5-6 coaches along with 16 other kids. They all work together kids and all. Madi says she's having fun and wants to go back. Her favorite part.....when all the kids go onto the ice and they close the door.

Recipe Exchange

Shelly is having her second anuual recipe extravaganza, if you want to participate read all about it here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Madi woke up this morning worried about you. She wants to make you a birthday cake today and wanted to know if you had any presents. The kids did color you birthday cards last week, but not surprising, they were still on the kitchen counter @ Grandpa Byron's house this morning. Have a great day, we miss you and love you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

PROCLAMATION

Congress issued a proclamation on October 11, 1782: By the United States in Congress assembled.

PROCLAMATION.

IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.

JOHN HANSON, President. Charles Thomson, Secretary.

Giving Thanks

November is one of my favorite months. For starters, it kicks off the holiday season. It's wonderful that we celebrate giving thanks. This month I am going to focus on all the blessings in my life and try to find ways to celebrate all that I have. I am grateful to be an American, to live in a country where dreams can come true. I am grateful for a family that supports me in all that I do. I am grateful for good health. I am grateful for education. I am grateful for my home and the love that I feel there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Gabe's Birthday Cake

Today is Gabe's 2nd Birthday. I can't believe my baby is two years old, they sure grow up fast. We had Gabe's party last night because of the big football game tonight (Shelley v. Marsh Valley). Gabe had lots of fun opening presents, eating cake, and playing with balloons. I'm so glad we have family close by to be able to celebrate birthdays and holidays with. What would I do without a mother-in-law that makes really cool birthday cakes and grandparents that spoil my kids rotten.

Fall Pictures

I love fall, it's my favorite time of year. I love the changing colors and the cool temperatures, what I call sweater weather. Here are some pictures I took tonight of the kids playing in the leaves.

More Scrapbook Pages

Scrapbook Layouts

Since we've had such nice weather this weekend, we've spent a lot of time outside. The kids have played on the swingset and playhouse in the back yard. I wish the fall weather would last just a little bit longer in Idaho.

Is anyone interested in having a puppy? We have three we need to find homes for - free.