{christmas decorations}

I love decorating for Christmas in our home. 

 It just feels so festive and warm and happy. 

This year we are in the middle of a little home renovation, but I just couldn't wait to put everything up...especially after we got our tree.  Here are some pictures I took of around our home.  Hopefully, when Henry and Eliza look at these pictures, wonderful and magical memories will come to their minds and hearts as they remember Christmas when they were young.





I just found this picture that I must have taken after the fireplace was painted...and also the wall.

{o christmas tree}

The day after Thanksgiving we went to a Christmas tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. 

 This is one of my very favorite traditions!

It was soooo cold this year.

The wind was so freezing cold and just went right through you. 

The pictures don't really show how very cold it was. 

 Eliza and Henry were pretty miserable. 

They cheered up when we got inside and gave them some hot cocoa.:)

Now it's time for Christmas music and decorating our tree and house!

so sad and cold:(

Henry started to have fun once we really started looking for a tree.

tuckered out

[thanksgiving}

Thanksgiving this year was pretty low key. 

 We relaxed in the morning and the kids played in their kitchen.  In the early afternoon we went to the Chatfield's house.  We brought a glazed ham and a gluten free pumpkin pie.  Mirinda always makes the most yummy meals.  She is a stay at home mom, but went to culinary school before she had kids.  Her table decorations are always so fun and creative and usually homemade!  It was a nice day, but it felt a little weird being at someone's home that was not family.

Two of my favorite people I am most grateful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

{november}

November has been a fun and very busy month. 

 Here are a few pictures.

Henry and Eliza "helping" me make a fancy dessert for book club.

* * *

At the Peoria River Front Museum

(Saturday activity with mom and dad)

Henry truly loves to build!

This museum has lots of different peak performance tests to see how strong you are, how long you can balance, how far you can jump, etc.  Henry was really great at this balancing test.

* * *

There is this really great old fashioned ice cream and candy shop called Holland's in Washington.  The kids ordered a big scoop of vanilla and were so happy!  Of course, they had to have their bell peppers first:)

This is a store right next to Holland's, which is also called Holland's.  They make homemade popcorn and also sell ice cream.  We had already had ice cream next door, but they had cotton candy flavor at this one, which is my favorite!  Even though we had JUST had ice cream... I had to have it!  It turned out that it was fantastic and much better than the other one.  Now we know!  The kids could not believe we were having ice cream again!!

* * *

We have had lots of play dates this month with lots of different kids. 

Gabriella and Evelyn and Henry and Eliza made a delicious meal for me at the table.

What a fun and busy month!

{gymnastics}

Henry has really loved going to gymnastics this year.  He has learned so much and we have seen a big difference in his coordination and his general gross motor skill level.  It has been really nice to have Grant in the same class...Henry has a friend and I get to sit and talk with Jessica:)