Fun Moments

Singing Christmas Carols and Praise and Worship songs as a family.

Watching the kids play and do crafts together.

Seeing everyone take advantage of the quality time we all had.

Decorating the tree

Not very many shots here.  Betsey and I took up putting up all the lights and then waited for Grandma's approval :)  And I broke a glass ornament, slipped right out of my hand......hoping it wasn't a super special one.  If it was Grandma didn't seem upset at all.

Visiting Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Forte

We went to visit Grandma at the Medical care facility a couple of times while we were in town.  It was nice to visit more than once.  Grandma was doing ok.  I have a video of Adeline reading to her but I decided not to post it.  I don't think the staff had bathed her in awhile and she just looked tired and worn out.

The kids colored pictures for Grandma which Grandpa immediately put up so that she can look at them every day.  It breaks my heart to see my grandparents like this and it's even harder living far away.  I wish I could do more.

Tire Swing Fun

The kids found something to do to pass the time.....

Picking out the Christmas tree

It was slim pickings at the tree farm this year.  I felt very bad for Grandma having to, in my opinion "settle" for a tree.  It was so cold and we walked and walked and walked and then finally all jumped in the back of the truck to drive us back where we picked out a pre-cut tree.  It was fun to have Aunt Betsey there and Joanne.

It has been a couple of years since we bought a tree....maybe next year we will go back to a real tree.

I would say the average height for all of the Frazier Furs was about Adeline's height.

A nice shot of us ladies

Addy and Brooke

Aunt Betsey and Joanne with the kids.

Me and my hubby

Addy and her Aunts

A very rare photo of Brooke and I.  I'll take what I can get :)

Push ups with Uncle Josh

I don't know exactly where this idea came from but I am assuming Josh wanted to show everyone just how strong he is :)  He had all of the kids climb on and he repeatedly did many push ups.  After one kid would fall off he would wait and then do some more.  I was pretty impressed because I H-A-T-E. push ups. (I spelled it out so that Adeline wouldn't think I said it out loud.....the "H" word that is)

Aunt Betsey was here....

One of our big highlights was having so many days to spend with Aunt Betsey.  

We sure do miss her.

The kids made sure to spend pretty much every single minute they had with her.

All set for our Thanksgiving Meal

Grandma came up with a fun idea for name tags at the table.  The kids enjoyed dipping their thumbs in paint and creating something with it.  Pretty much everyone made their very own and the table looked really nice.

At each persons seat was also a spot to write down what you are thankful for.  Throughout the dinner we took time and went around the table saying what we were thankful for.

I am thankful for my husband and his unwavering faith in God.  I am so impressed by him and the way he cares for our family and takes care of me.  We have a partnership, a relationship that continues to grow, and I am thankful for that.  I am also so thankful for my two kids.  I feel it's ungrateful when I find myself longing for another child as if I'm not grateful enough for what God has done for my family.  He gave us two healthy, beautiful, children.  A girl and a boy, each with their own personalities and quarks.  I am also thankful for family and friends that love the Lord and live for Him.  And for those that don't yet I hope my family can be an example and shine His light.

Reindeer Craft

Picked up a fun little reindeer craft for the kids to do this afternoon.  They loved it and wore the necklaces all day!  And they were only a $1 at Target!!!!

Turkey Craft Runner Up

Adeline had a fun assignment last week to decorate a turkey with her family.  Last night we all finished her craft and sent it in.  I had no idea that it was going to be some sort of contest but when I picked Addy up from school she was extremely excited because her Turkey had won second place.  All the kids placed their Turkey on their desk and then walked around looking at everyone's turkey.  They then had to vote for two turkeys and one couldn't be their own.  Adeline's got the second most votes so she got a "runner up" certificate, bookmark, pencil, and eraser.  She was so thrilled.  I love her excitement.

Andrew's Thanksgiving Party

The benefits of being a stay-at-home Mommy is to be able to go and celebrate with my kids.  This is Andrew's Thanksgiving party.  The kids all made their own place mats and saved seats for us while we were all coming in.  We enjoyed a feast complete with all the fixings.  Andrew was extra excited and was telling everyone that his friend Nicholas Hare was coming too.  He made sure to introduce him.

I sure do love my buddy!

I am very thankful for him.

Riding Sandy

I think the kids might be getting too old for Sandy.  Or this Sandy needs to step it up.  I guess for one penny she is a good ride.

I think this is the year.....

....that the kids will be playing outside all day.  The two have already been outside for almost two hours and it is starting to get dark.  I have so many memories about playing outside with my sister and brother and cousins....  I hope they built memories today. 

Just enough snow to play outside

Addy and Andrew all bundled up to go out and play for their first time in the snow.  Thank you Nana and Papa for Adeline's new coat and for Andrew's coat from last year they both fit perfectly!!!  Makes playing out in the snow much more enjoyable when you're nice and warm.

Andrew needs some basketball time too....

Poor Andrew....being the younger brother he really feels left out when Adeline gets to do "so much more".  I continue to tell him that his time will come (just like soccer), but when we come to her practice he just wants to run out there.  We showed up at the end and Andrew was adamant about being able to shoot his own basket.  With Daddy's help we were able to make Andrew happy and smile.

Someone got a hard worker award today....

Every practice each coach is able to highlight one player who worked hard.  It puts James in a hard spot to give an award to his daughter so Adeline was in luck when they changed up teams for the day.  Not only did she get called to be an example up front but she also got recognized for working hard.  We are official Mona Shores Sailors now with our sticker to put on our van.  Good Job Addy way to go!

Piles of leaves.....

Oh the leaves we have......sometimes I wish I could just wiggle my nose and they would all disappear.  This year unfortunately we didn't get them all up but on a day I was out raking the kids came out to play.  They loved jumping into the massive piles!

Decorating For Christmas

It's early I know but we just couldn't wait.

This year my helpers stuck with it the entire night making sure everything was in it's place.

A double sleepover....

Both Adeline and Andrew got to have a sleepover with a friend tonight.  The kids had taco's for dinner, followed by popcorn and a movie.  Adeline and Maya each were sporting braided hair.....and the boys decided as usual to not wear shirts.

At the end of the movie all of the kids were dancing away.

Sometime before dinner the kids were all watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie...Adeline and Maya have read the books.  We have just started watching the television shows with Adeline.  The kids love it. 

Adeline's First Basketball Practice

Today was Adeline's first Basketball practice.  Adeline will be practicing every Saturday besides holiday weekends until the New Year.  In January she will have Saturday games for five weeks.  Adeline is super excited about this and especially excited because her Dad is her coach.  Adeline says she likes basketball better than soccer because there is less running.  I think she might be surprised how much running there actually is in basketball :)