Thanksgiving fun

We are back from our Thanksgiving visit, and other than a run in with a stomach bug, we had a great time. We were able to visit with a lot of family, and the kids had a bit of an early Christmas since we won't be back to visit my side of the family during the Christmas season.



Pierce is saying "Cheese!"

Mom making yummy mashed potatoes.

Pierce licking the beaters with yummy mashed potatoes on them.

Dad carving the turkey

Madelyn loved the trampoline.



Pierce with his great-aunt Alice.

Pierce with his cousins Tori and Connor

Pierce with my cousin Amber

Thankful

It is Thanksgiving Day, so as so many of my blogging friends have done, I thought I would do a thankful list.

1. We have now gone 24 hours without seeing our children throw up. Yes, the kids had a nasty stomach bug and we spent Tuesday night into Wednesday morning listening to our children dispense of their breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I apologize if you are reading this after partaking of you delicious Thanksgiving meal. I have had this thought every time my kids have stomach bugs, but one of the most pitiful sights in the world is seeing a young child throw up.

2. We have had an enjoyable visit with my family, and while JD has done some work, he's had a relatively stress free visit and we've enjoyed having him available to play!

3. We get to see extended family that we only see a couple of times a year.

4. I caught up with some high school friends that I haven't seen in some time

5. I live in a free country protected by the bravest men and women in the world.

6. My husband has a great job and is able to provide for his family.

7. I have the privilege of being a stay at home mom.

8. I have great friends.

9. 24 is back (Okay this is a silly one, but I do enjoy the show!)

10. I will allow myself to start decorating for Christmas on Sunday.

I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Bottomless pit?

No, just a baby.

Madelyn kept asking for more food today. I asked her why she was so hungry. Her reply was, "I have to keep eating so that all the food can join together and make a baby in my belly. Then I can throw it up and take it to Ma and Granddad's." (We are leaving tomorrow to spend the week with my parents, and apparently, Madelyn still thinks babies come out of your mouth when they are born.)

'Tis almost the season

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Ballet and "No! No!"

Madelyn started a new ballet class this fall. Her teacher has had back issues and she has had to cancel a couple of classes. Her name is Ms. Judy, but Madelyn affectionately refers to her as Ms. Judas. We've been trying to correct that, but we haven't had much success.

In other news, I heard Pierce yelling "NO! NO! NO!" today. I figured Madelyn was harassing him, but when I checked on them, they both had their noses stuck to the kitchen window watching sNOw flurries blow in the wind.

Air and Space Museum

We decided to venture into the city again this weekend, as we took the kids to the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum. I thought the kids would enjoy seeing all of the airplanes and rockets/space shuttles. However, within the first ten minutes, I was getting the "where's all the cool stuff, Mom?" vibe. We lasted a little over an hour, and the kids did enjoy some of the stuff, but the museum was not the hit that the zoo was. Pierce did like the big moon, so we took a couple of pictures in front of it, but you can't see the entire thing in the pictures.







Tomahawk missile. How would you like to see one of these things coming at you?


The Wright Bros. original plane flown in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, NC:

They actually rode on top of airplane and flew using little wooden controllers just like the mannequin in the picture. Can you imagine? I realize they didn't fly that high or that long, but still...

Dear/Deer

Madelyn sometimes asks us to write a note in her lunchbox so that her teacher can read it to her during lunch at school. Something along the lines of "Have a great day at school. I love you!" suffices. Madelyn asked JD to do it today. So, he got his paper and wrote "Dear Madelyn,"...

Madelyn: No, put Madelyn.
JD: I did. It says "Dear Madelyn"
Madelyn: But you need to write Madelyn.
JD: Do you want me to write "Madelyn Madelyn"?
Madelyn: No. Draw Madelyn next to the deer.
JD: Do you want me to draw a deer?
Madelyn: Yes, you said "Deer Madelyn."

Finally, it clicked. She thought JD had started her note with "Deer Madelyn".

Thank you!

I wanted to post a note to say thank you to all of our veterans out there. Our family truly appreciates the sacrifices that you and your family had to make in order to insure and preserve our freedom. We are the "land of the free" because you are so brave. Thanks again!

Trip to the zoo

We went to the zoo on Saturday, and we had a great time. Unfortunately, my camera battery was dead, so we had to settle for cell phone pictures. Pierce was amazed while watching the elephant get a bath. All we've heard for the last three days is, "Emphant. Baff." Here are the best pictures from the day:

Orangutan in its cage:

Orangutan "tightroping" around the zoo:

Tiger:
Panda sunbathing:

Mommy,

when babies come out of your belly, do you get a big hole there?

Me: Well, sometimes that happens, honey.

Madelyn: Do you have a big hole in your belly?

Me: No, I don't.

Madelyn: How did your babies come out?

Me: Oh, they came out a different way, honey.

Madelyn: Oh, I know. They came out of your mouth.


Whew...really wasn't ready for that conversation.

Halloween Pictures

Madelyn was a cowgirl and Pierce was a cowboy for Halloween. Madelyn loved trick or treating, and it was a very mild evening, so it was a very pleasant experience. Here are some before and after pictures of the evening: