Oh Christmas Tree!!

Our tradition continues.

I love everything about a real Christmas tree!

Crazy that this time last year Trudy was in her baby car seat just watching!

EK and Poppa had their own measuring technique to be sure our tree was the right fit. 

 

They thought the tree in the car was so fun, I agree it is fun!!

The other tradition of big colored lights continues.  Girls couldn't be more excited!! Colored lights were made for kids.  EK says the yellow lights are not as pretty. Side note: painted the family room gray (poppa did all the work), love it!!

Star on top this year was EK.  Let the season of traditions continue.  

Deck the halls!!

We had the best weekend! I truly soaked in time with my family. We decked the house for Christmas, stayed in our jammas 2 days in a row, read a lot of Christmas books, made fires from sun up to sun down, drove around to look at lights, listened to hours of Christmas music, and cleaned up a lot of messes(real life here!!)!

  

Playing with the nativity scene (has to order a toy one they enjoy it so much).  Shopping in Hobby Lobby EK informs the entire isle that the reason for Chritmas is not about the snow but to celebrate Jesus birthday.  Everyone in the isle smiled.  Kids make holidays better.  

Oh Trudy!!

Christmas jammas are out!! Yes I pack up all the jammas and we wear Christmas jammas every night!  EK had to put on boots to be Santa!

Sitting on Santa's lap.  This might be the best we get this year but you never know with Maugs she may surprise you!

Always posing! 

The most wonderful time of the year is here!!

She has arrived....

Elfie the Elf, named by EK, has arrived!!! Her full name is Elfie Magic Tree.  

 

EK just had to read Elfie her book about her!  Littles at first were not so sure but are warming up to her.  Elfie will have to stay up high though bc MM really wants to test this 'not touching'. Trudy loves running around to find her in the morning.  It will be a fun December with these 4 little ladies!!

Gobble Gobble

So thankful for these 4 little ladies!!

A morning at home ready for a yummy breakfast!

We then had a little turkey day with a little Christmas prep!

With sunny and 65 and EK so excited for lights, we followed her request and put up lights which lead to decking the halls!

Doors and windows open and Macy's Day parade = a great morning!!

Then off to STL with a turkey driving!

  

Our girls had so much fun with all the Otts!! Lots of little girls!! 

Before leaving our turkey dinner we had to kick off the holiday season!!!

Thanksgiving Fun!

I LOVE holidays!! I love the fun,excitement, and new and old traditions they bring to school and home.  Thanksgiving week starting last week and 2 days this week was packed.  This year EKs class learned all about the meaning of thanksgiving and that has been a very fun discussion.  She was old enough this year to start a thankful tree and in the leaves she wrote everything she was thankful for.  I hope to continue this tradition for many more years.  

Older girls had thanksgiving parades this week.  They all looked super cute in their Indian gear.  EKs class got to pick names and she was "crazy horse"! Very fitting!

The littles were not so sure of performing.   Seems to be the phase we are going through.  They still were super cute! On their hand print thankful Turkeys,  MM thankful for Otto and MF thankful for kitty cats.  Another phase we are going through or maybe I should say have been in for awhile!

The littlest turkey had a great week as well and made the cutest crafts this week.  The turkey hand print is my favorite!!

Thanksgiving meal prep is full of Manda food traditions.  Most important the stuffing balls and second the cranberry salad.  Poppa and his helpers have all the food prepped.  

A special delivery from the elf tonight, Christmas pjs!! We are ready for a morning of watching the parade and the off to see family.  Gobble Gobble!

7 years

7 years of marriage and I still feel that same spark when I hold his hand.  Blessed.  We are just like any couple, we have our good days and those days where we don't agree but no matter what  we love each other.  The last 7 years have been such an adventure and I can't wait for what is ahead.  

This anniversary we were a little sad at what was happening in the news.  7 years ago on 11/15 our plane was touching down in Paris.  This year on that day no flights landing and the city was recovering from a terrible terrorist attack. The violence in the world saddens me and I truly will never understand how people kill other people.  The city of Paris was beautiful, charming, full of so much history.  The people were relaxed, proper, and proud.  We wandered the city always feeling safe and it saddens me that if we took that trip today we would be checking behind ourselves with a feeling of uneasiness instead of soaking in the city of love.  I pray that these violence attacks stop and we as people can learn to love everyone and accept we are all different in our mental and physical makeups.  Let there be peace on earth.  Prayers currently with Paris.  

To my Love, I love spending my life with you and our day full of shopping, French onion soup, and ending with gelato was perfect!!!

First Field Trip for EK!

Miss Huggins Class!

Selfie on the bus.  

First bus ride!

Ready for the presentation at the planetarium. 

Sweet friends!!!

School Pictures

Etta Kate Pre K

Mary Matilda 3 year old Preschool

Margaret 3 year old Preschool 

Trudy 1 year old room ( sorry this was printed not a real picture and got a water spot).