Henry Starts the Cub Scout Trail

Thanksgiving skit...

Learning how to pin :)

He is now a Bobcat!

Tasty Tidbits

Happy Turkey Day!

It is so nice to have a break from the daily grind. Since we didn't have school Wednesday, I decided it was time to weed our planters and get the yard ready for winter so to speak. As you can imagine, no one (including Mike) was very happy about it... but the weather was beautiful and after about an hour, the kids quit complaining. Ilah put on some of her favorite music, and before long I think everyone was enjoying themselves. Mike and Ilah took a load to the dump while Henry, Tucker, Taysom and I bagged weeds and some of the leaves- then swept everything up. When Mike returned he even bagged the rest of the leaves. The bunnies are so cute checking out the fresh planters and jumping around the yard.

Later that evening Tucker made his frozen fruit slices and apple pie. I made Grandma Crosby's pumpkin pie (with homemade crust). Taysom is making fun of me for mentioning the fact that it was a homemade crust. I am proud of that crust though! Several years ago, my great friend Rose taught me how to make pie crusts. I never really attempted it on my own though. So hallelujah - the pie crusts were flaky and delicious. Since my children enjoy cooking and are much better at it than me, I have to celebrate when I make anything well.

Thursday Ilah treated us to cinnamon rolls, eggs and bacon for breakfast. Mike got the turkey in the oven and the rolls rising. After a leisurely morning, we headed to the park, checked out the new walking paths, tossed the football around, and the kids played on the monkey bars etc. At one point Henry caught a pass from Mike and started running. After he was about 40 yards away, he yelled over his shoulder, "Tucker, tackle me!" Right when Tucker was about to reach him, Henry spiked the ball and did his touchdown dance.

Earlier in the week Ilah and I had gone on a walk. I told her about the incredible Hinckley family Thanksgivings. She remembered me telling her that Grandpa Hinckley would design beautiful center pieces for the tables the morning of Thanksgiving all from nature. She noticed several things we could use to make a beautiful center piece for our table as we were walking. So Thursday afternoon Ilah, Henry and I took some clippers and "stole" some sprigs of holly, etc. Then they designed a beautiful centerpiece while I made the stuffing and Taysom made the mashed potatoes and green bean casserole.

I have to admit that I was a little worried about having Thanksgiving dinner with just our immediate family... that it wouldn't feel like anything but a glorified Sunday dinner. BUT - it was wonderful! Sooooo relaxing.... delicious... fun... We tried to have our extended family there through the recipes. The kids are great chefs- they must get it from their dad.

Henry even make the Kool-Aid!

Since there wasn't a movie that was beckoning us to come and see it, we rented Hoosiers instead. The missionaries stopped by in time for Foosball, ping pong, and dessert.

I look forward to having Thanksgiving dinner with lots of cousins, grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles next year (hopefully). But every now and then I hope we get to have just our immediate family surrounding the table where everyone had a hand in the dinner/dessert, etc.

I am very thankful for my friends and family. We love you!!

Reading with Mom

Several weeks ago Ilah started reading Cornelia. Every now and then she would ask Mike or I to read with her. I have to admit that the little bits and pieces I read with her didn't capture my attention like most books... until a couple of nights ago... You see, Ilah was near the end of her book and wanted to get done and take her AR test before the week was through. When we didn't finish Wednesday night, she begged me to read with her while dinner was cooking on Thursday after school. We read and read until dinner was burned, tears were streaming down our faces and the book was finished. That little Cornelia character really grew on me. I could see why Ilah enjoyed the book so much from day 1.

Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters - $12.44

Burned Dinner - $15.00

Watching your daughter connect with a character in a book where feelings are so strong it is like they are best friends - PRICELESS

This experience brought back memories of reading the Little House series with my mom. I can remember many a nights listening to my mom's voice describing the antics of Laura, Mary, Alonzo, Willie, Nellie, Ma and Pa and the gang. I also remember waking her up as she fell asleep mid sentence :) I don't know how she had the drive to do everything she did for us. As a mom myself I can honestly say that my mom is a Super Mom... I never saw her in a cape and tights... she must have hid them under her clothing... But late at night, after we children were finally asleep, she put her super powers to the test as she sewed costumes and special occasion dresses, worked on her artwork, put finishing touches on our school assignments, cleaned, did laundry, decorated, painted, etc. No wonder she would doze off mid sentence while reading us bedtime stories. We always felt loved by Mom - and still do to this day. I hope that even though I don't have the 'mom super powers', that my children feel that love from me just as strongly.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Some more Halloween pics...

Check out our friends the Tuckers-
Leslie defeated Mike in the corn bread contest. After 2 or 3 years of holding the title, he has passed on the honor.

Henry with his buddy Michael (the Jedi)

Continuing with the drama...

Taysom fawning over Michael Phelps

(her buddy Alaina)

Tucker with Sam (fire fighter?) and Trevor (the nerd)

Ilah and Lydia - the two scariest girls at the party.

The three cutest girls at the party!!

Look at the joy in Tucker's expression after a fun evening of tricks and treats... it says it all, doesn't it!?

Happy Halloween

Ilah planned out her costume a couple of months ago when Taysom was doing her make-up for fun one day and made her look like a vampire.

Putting on the finishing touches...

Tucker decided last minute to throw something on. The devil vampiress (?), the hillbilly, and the scary guy in front of the church before the Trunk-or-Treat.

Henry (our storm trooper) was a bit dramatic.

I Love a Parade!

I love sitting on the parade route on a sunny fall day.
I love listening to each band as they march along.
I love feeling that school spirit as either South's or North's band comes into view.
I love cheering for them as they pass by.
I love seeing the small smiles form on my students' faces.
I love embarrassing Tucker.
I love watching Ilah, Henry and whichever buddy has come with us as they scramble to collect as much candy as possible.

I love a parade!

(Sorry about the video... Does anyone know how to rotate an image? I can't seem to figure it out.)