Thanksgiving Weekend

I had a long 5 day weekend for Thanksgiving and we spent every second of it busy doing something. 

Thanksgiving day was spent with my side of the family. We had dinner at my Aunt and Uncle's house, just as we do every year. It's always so nice to see everyone and spend time with family. At around 6:00, Jake and I and my brother-in-law, left to go do our annual Black Friday shopping at Walmart. This is our 3rd year of doing this and it's always so much fun. Normally my sister comes along too and we just leave all the kids with my parents back at my aunt and uncle's house but my sister is nursing and its just hard for her to leave Emerson this early for any length of time. So she stayed back and the three of us tackled our shopping list. We were in and out of there in record time this year, despite the crowds and long lines, somehow we were able to find everything we wanted and made it out of there in about an hour. We went back and spent the rest of the evening with family, eating a second helping of Thanksgiving dinner and some yummy desserts. 

We spent the next 3 days at the new house. We lined up babysitters for all three days and were able to get quite a bit done. The cabinets are all in (even more has been done since I took these pictures on Friday), the closets are all painted, the garage is all clean and organized and we cleaned up a big pile of brush that had been left over from the big backyard clear out we did earlier this Fall. We also made a trip to Home Depot to buy a new faucet and sink for the kitchen and we ordered our new Silestone counter-tops!!

We were also able to squeeze in a trip to our brand new Ikea!! They FINALLY opened a store here in St. Louis at the end of September and I was just itching to get there and do some shopping. I had seen a light fixture that I knew I wanted to get for Jackson's room at the new house and we browsed the rest of the store to see what else they had. We bought a little step stool for the kids and saw a lot of other things we'd like to have once we're in the new house! I can't wait to get a chance to go back when we have a little more time.

Then bright and early Monday morning we took Avery to Mercy Surgery Center for her ear-tube procedure. We had to be there at 5:30 a.m.!! It went well though and everything moved right on schedule. The staff was all so nice and after the 10-15 minute procedure and about 20-30 minutes in recovery, we were able to go home. Avery did well and the doctor was able to get her ears all cleaned up and the tubes in successfully. The waking up from anesthesia was a bit challenging, to say the least. They told us that some children are "cranky" after the anesthesia, but Avery was quite a bit more than just cranky. She screamed and cried and stiffened up for about 10 minutes or so. She hit us and pulled my hair... it was not fun and I was so glad when she finally settled down. I felt so bad for her, because I knew she didn't feel good and didn't understand what was going on. Thankfully she slept on the way home and was much better once we got her home and in her own surroundings. She was hilarious though, walking around like a little drunk baby. She was hyper and insisted on getting down even though she was still a little wobbly from the anesthesia. Ha. I had thought she'd be tired and snuggly the whole day, but not Avery. She was back to her normal, ornery self just an hour or so afterwards. Ha. I'm so thankful it all went well though and I'm very thankful it's over and behind us.

 (Avery's little hospital ankle bracelet)

So that's how we spent our long, Thanksgiving weekend! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Lately...

I don't know about you, but Fall is our busiest season for sure. We have lots of birthdays, I have lots of photo sessions and we have lots of holidays. On top of all of that, we're in the middle of remodeling our new house! SO much going on right now in our lives and I just don't have a lot of time to blog, unfortunately.

However, there have been so many fun and exciting things happen in the last week or 2 that I just have to share!

*First of all, I became an aunt again last Tuesday, November 17th!! My baby nephew is just the cutest. I was privileged to be in the delivery room for his birth and got to witness his entrance into the world. What an amazing experience and one I can't thank my sweet sister enough for. Here is a picture I took in the delivery room and one of the newborn pictures I took of sweet little Emerson Levi!

*Second, Jake turned 30 yesterday!! We had a party for him on the 15th of November and it was a great success. We had it at his brother and sister-in-laws house (since our house is out of commission right now). It was a 1985/Kansas City Royals theme (Since the last time the Royals won the World Series was in 1985, the same year Jake was born!) Here are a few pictures from his party.

*My dad has been working tirelessly on our new kitchen and it is coming along nicely! The back door is in and trimmed around, the walls have been painted, backer-board is down and ready for tile, a majority of the cabinets are in and some of the appliances have been placed! We plan to work there all this weekend, so even more will be getting done and I'll try and take my camera over to take some better pictures. In the mean-time, here are a couple of the kitchen that my dad sent me from this past weekend.

I've also painted all of the bedrooms and the hallway, Avery's chandelier has been installed in her room, we have new light fixtures outside on the back of the house and my dad has the whole basement pretty well tore out and ready to be put back together the way we want it. We've gotten a lot done and even though there is still so much to do, it's so great to be seeing so much progress lately! It's so exciting!!

*I was finally able to get Avery's hair in pigtails last week and it was just too cute. I took my camera outside to get a couple pictures of her in the leaves! She is at such a cute and fun age right now! I'm just loving it.

*We had Jake's family Thanksgiving this past weekend and it was so fun to spend time with family and eat yummy food! It was a really fun day!

So that's what we've been up to lately. We are gearing up now for Thanksgiving this week with my family and then we'll be working at the new house (or as Jackson calls it, "The Swimming Pool House") all weekend. I'm excited to see what all we get accomplished over 3 days!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day 2012

We spent Thanksgiving Day at my Mom's Aunt and Uncle's house. Its where we've spent Thanksgiving Day ever since I can remember. Here are a few photos from our Thanksgiving! ☺ I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

Since I've been married, I've been in charge of making the pumpkin pies. This year I decided to make one pumpkin pie and one apple pie, since I usually have a lot of pumpkin pie leftover. Plus my great aunt Judy (whose house we were at) mentioned she liked apple pie more than pumpkin. I used some of my mini cookie cutters to cut out the little apples, leaves and acorn. ☺

It was a beautiful day here in St. Louis, (70 degrees and sunny) so we took the kids outside to play on their playground. This is my nephew Mason climbing up the ladder. He was very good at climbing up the ladder.

Mason at the top of the playground.

My nephew Landon swinging.

Landon and Jackson playing in the yard.

Jackson attempting to climb up the ladder. He's not quite got the hang of this yet. 

Jackson's second Thanksgiving! ☺

I didn't get a picture of dinner, but I did get a picture of the desserts. 

Family. ♥

Jackson and Mason playing the piano. ☺

Thanksgiving with the Smith's 2012

We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Smith side of the family, the weekend before Thanksgiving. Jake's mom has a brother that lives here in St. Louis and a sister who lives in Kansas City. We alternate years between having dinner here and having it in Kansas City. This year was Jake's Aunts turn in Kansas City. 

So after work Friday night, we loaded up all of our stuff, headed to Jake's mom's house to pick her up and made our way to Jake's aunt's house. Jake's mom stayed there to help prepare dinner for the next day and Jake, Jackson and I stayed in a hotel along with Jake's 2 brother's and their families. 

We made it to K.C. at around 9:30 and ended up finally making it to bed at around 2 a.m. Jackson slept in his pack-n-play in our hotel room pretty well. This was his second time sleeping in a hotel. After what seemed like a nap more than a good nights sleep, we got up, got ready and headed back to Jake's Aunt and Uncle's house to celebrate Thanksgiving with the whole family. Jake's Aunt Deb and her husband Paul have 2 children. Their daughter is married and lives in Germany with her husband. Their son is married and lives in Washington D.C. with his wife. Both of their children were able to make it in this year, which was very nice! Jake's uncle John and aunt Emily, live here in St. Louis, and made the drive to K.C. for Thanksgiving as well. They have a son who is married and actually lives in K.C. with his wife. They also have a daughter who still lives at home. It was so wonderful to have everyone there this year. 

Jack, Ethan and Sophia (my nephews and niece) playing outside in the backyard.

Jackson outside in the backyard while we waited for dinner to be ready.

Jackson giving his cousin Sophia some love! He's such a sweety.

Jackson sitting in a rocking chair that once belonged to his Great Great Grandpa!

The dining room table all set for dinner. 

Family gathered in the kitchen.

We were able to get a nice family picture (minus Jackson, who was taking a rather long afternoon nap).

We stayed in K.C. that night as well and most of the family went to the Kansas City Chiefs football game the next day. They tailgated and had a great time. Jake went along with his mom and one of his brothers. Here's a picture I borrowed from FB.

While they were at the game, my sister-in-law and I took our kids to the Crown Center for lunch at Fritz's and some fun and shopping at the Crayola store. We finished off the afternoon with a trip to a little playground we found. We had a great time!

Here we are at Fritz's. A train brings you your food to the table! Its such a cool place to eat.

Jackson and his cousin Ethan. (Jackson wouldn't leave his conductors hat on.) 

My niece Bella at Fritz's.

This was at the Crayola store. They have a special room where the kids can go and color. It was really cool.

Bella and Ethan coloring.

Jackson coloring his first real picture. He did really well and knew just what to do, however, I had to keep a close eye on him because he also wanted to put the crayons in his mouth! Ha.

Bella showing me her masterpiece.

Here is Jackson on the swing at Roanoke Park North Playground!

Jackson with his cousins on the slide.

Jackson and I on the slide.

Ethan and Jackson on the slide.

Bella playing on the playground.

Big cousin Jack, pushing Jackson in the swing.

Yay for swinging!

My sister-in-law Liz, pushing her boys on the swing set.

We headed home after everyone got back from the Chiefs game. We had a great time in Kansas City and we look forward to the next time we are together with the Smith/Testrake/Barnes families!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a Very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkey Trot Link-Up

I'm linking up with Holly and Erin for their Turkey Trot Link Up today!

1. What do you look forward to more: the food, football or parades? Definitely the Food!!

2. What is your favorite non-traditional Thanksgiving Day dish? Chicken and Dumplings. We have them every year, but I don't think they are traditional at most family gatherings.

3. After dinner, is it football or a nap? A nap for sure! I'm not really that big of a football fan. If you asked my husband though, he would say football for #1 and #3!

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Which is your favorite float? I have watched the Parade in the past, but its not a tradition of mine. I love all the floats, but the float with Santa at the end is always my favorite.

5. Where do you go to celebrate and eat your big meal? Who is there (family, friends)? We always celebrate Thanksgiving with Jake's family the weekend before, which happened to be this past weekend. His mom has a brother who lives here in St. Louis and a sister who lives in Kansas City. We take turns each year celebrating in each city. This year it was at my husband's Aunt and Uncle's house in K.C. We had a great weekend with about 30 people. Jake's mom, his 2 brothers and their families, his Aunt and Uncle from K.C., their 2 kids and spouses and then his other Aunt and Uncle, their 2 kids and one of their spouses. We had a great time! 

Then on Thanksgiving Day we always go to my Great Aunt and Uncle's house here in St. Louis. I've been going there every year since I was a child. We always have a great time! Its my mom's Aunt and Uncle, so my Papa Reg is there, my mom's brothers and their families, my sister and her family and several other aunts, uncles and cousins!

 6. What is your favorite turkey day dessert? It would have to be the pumpkin pie!! I'm the designated pumpkin pie maker for my side of the family and I love making them. We always have so many pies and cakes though, and I love sweets so I usually get a little bit of each thing! 

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving!!

Thankful Thursday

I had seen on Facebook, and maybe you have too, where people write something they're thankful for each day during the month of November. I had never done this before, but decided to try it this year. I have SO much to be thankful for. So in case you don't follow me on Facebook, here are the things I have listed so far this month that I am so very thankful for! 

Day 1: First and foremost, I am so thankful for God's mercy and love. Without that, nothing else matters.

 Day 2: I'm so thankful for my healthy, beautiful, sweet Jackson! He is such a blessing to me and I can't thank God enough for him.

 Day 3: I'm so thankful for my wonderful and supportive husband.

 Day 4: I'm extremely thankful for my loving parents and mother in law. They are so great and so supportive!

 
Day 5: I'm so thankful for the best sister a girl could ask for, 3 wonderful bro. in laws and 2 wonderful sister in laws.

Day 6: I'm so thankful for my church and church family. I really don't know what I'd do without them!

 Day 7: I'm thankful for a great job with wonderful co-workers!

Day 8: I am so thankful for my extended family; Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins! I am so very thankful to have grown up in a family where I've been able to be close to so many of my extended family. I love you all!!