Thanksgiving and Tree Pickin' {2012}

I was far too busy cooking and eating and eating again to chronicle Thanksgiving Day on my phone.
I did however take advantage of the 70 degree weather we were having.
Rounded the kids up in the yard for a long overdue photo shoot with my real camera.
Yes I still own one.

I'm glad I had my phone nearby though...otherwise I may have missed this shot.
Maggie and Bo.
His sweet face.
Her beautiful face.
I melt.



Guesstures with the family {extended included}
A Thanksgiving tradition.
Boys vs. Girls.
Lots of smack talk goes on here.
I'm talkin' someone from each team has to keep score.
No worries.
Girls remain victorious.
Every. Single. Time.
Boom.



The hubby obliged to head out on Black Friday with me.
He's not a sore loser.
We didn't do crazy people hours.
Got out around 8am....got everything we were looking for.
Take that sleep deprived crazy people.



Day after Thanksgiving is Tree Pickin' Day at our house.
We visit the same farm every year.
Tradition.



The kids picked the most beautiful tree I think we've ever had.



Before.



After.
Not one decorative ball on my tree.
Nothing but handmade ornaments from the kiddos and souvenir ornaments from our travels as a family.
Even the star is made from a cone-shaped water cooler cup and a coffee filter.
My sixteen year old made it when he was five.
Wouldn't take a million dollars for it.
Take your magazine cover worthy tree.
I'll keep my tree of memories.



No tree trimming party would be complete without some Holiday tunage.
Possibly my favorite Christmas song.
I dare you not to cry.



And on a less serious more heathen note, if you don't have some JB on your Christmas playlist... you are missing out.
We were jamming to this song tonight on the way home and Aidan said, "Mom, who is Shawty anyway??"
He was dead serious.
I didn't know whether to laugh or repent.



Have I told you lately how much joy this boy brings to my life?
Or how big he is getting?
Or how much I don't like it?
Or that I plan to keep him little forever?



This is my world right now.
Boo hiss.
I'm pretty much miserable and whiny.
But I ain't gonna lie...I get a little too excited when it's time to take those gloriously green horse pills up there.
Nothing like Nyquil sleep.
Nope.



"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"

Homeschool Fall Dance {with a bit o' random}

I sure do love this little devotion book.
Sometimes it is just what I need to hear.



Big brother and big sister at social event + dad working late = a date with this handsome fella.
Cutest 10 year old in all the land.



After extensive testing, I've discovered I have an extreme gluten and dairy intolerance.
Cue the end of the world



Doesn't everyone have a freakishly large poodle curled up on their couch?



This year's Fall Dance theme was "It Came From Outer Space"
Han Solo brought to you courtesy of Goodwill.
Not too shabby huh?
Blood Stripes and all.
Eat your heart out Mr. Ford.





Ashten went as an alien from Toy Story.





Do not be fooled by the title 'Homeschoolers.'
These kids have moves people.
Like Jagger.
Hey, is that Princess Leia I see doing the Cha-Cha Slide behind Han???



No dance is complete without YMCA.
Now that you have that song stuck in your head....
You're welcome.



He's such a looker that boy of mine.
Funny thing about this picture...
A friend saw this on Instagram and thought he was holding a long neck.
Um, no.
It's his blaster...or whatever heat Mr. Solo packs.
Of course that is ALL I see when I look at it now.
Sheesh.



"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"