November News

Well, not much has happened this month except it's definitely gotten COLD. The winter coats are out to stay, I'm afraid. For those of you who do not live in this area, we had our first snow the night before Thanksgiving. The kids woke to a white covered yard and were thrilled, Todd and I were less than thrilled but put on a good show for the kids.We've had a lot of activity on the house and are actually in negotiations now with a buyer. They have really low-balled us so we'll see, since we are not really willing to budge much. It would be nice if we could reach an agreement since I'm really sick and tired of showings.
We've stayed busy with the kids. We took them to the train fest, which they loved. This is the 2nd year in a row they've gone. State Fair Park hosts the event and their is a large building devoted to nothing but huge model train exhibits. The kids thought it was really cool, and we didn't have to pay for them to get in.
The following weekend we took them to BaloonApalooza, which is at the Domes. Huge balloon exhibits are set up all over the place. Good idea, poorly executed, especially since they don't want the balloon displays touched. (Try telling that to Gavin.) While we were there we did go through the Domes which the kids were somewhat interested in.
We had a really great Thanksgiving. My sister Amber and a very good friend of mine came over for the day. I made the usual holiday fare and everyone stuffed themselves to discomfort. Gavin ate a couple sardines (courtesy of his Dad!) and his breath stunk like rotting fish for a while. This of course did not stop him from wanting to plaster tons of kisses on me. I was completely grossed out and thanked Todd accordingly.
We went around the table at meal time and everyone said what they were thankful for. Just like last year my sister cried when I said what I was thankful for, which made me cry, and the kids told me it's not nice to cry at the table. Cole was thankful for pumpkin pie.
Todd ate and drank himself into a turkey/champagne coma and us girls stayed up drinking and laughing. We ended the night by renting a scary movie, and staying up way past our bedtimes. In the morning the mess was somewhat reminiscent of college days.
I did not however get up early and face the crowds for the day after Thanksgiving Sales. My friend that stayed the night however wanted up at the crack of dawn to make it to the mall to get something her daughter was wanting for Christmas. I think it goes without saying that she didn't make it. She got their late, and they still had some left, everyone is happy!
I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping and now have to look forward to all the wrapping. We have not put up the tree yet but hopefully will soon. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Fall Festivities

Well as Halloween drew near there was no shortage of activies for the kids. Cole wanted only to be Power Ranger Red - Operation Overdrive. The world could rest at ease on Halloween, from the look of things there were enough Power Rangers out and about to save the world from evil at least a couple times! Gavin was a pirate, however instead of taking his booty, he frequently tried to give the person the candy he had gotten from the previous house!

They started all their fall fun with hayrides and a pumpkin patch at school. Tyler's dad owns a farm and he brought in his tractor and gave the kids hayrides around the parking lot, then the school set up a pumpkin patch and let the kids go and pick out pumpkins. Later that evening Todd took the kids back to school for a Fall Festival. They had an outdoor candy hunt with flashlights. They also had each of the rooms set up with games and different crafts for the kids to play and enjoy.

Next the kids went trick or treating at Todd's work. This is something they have every year for the kids. Many of the departments really get into it, with themed costumed and decorations. The kids really had a good time.

The weekend before Halloween we carved pumpkins, it was too cold to do it outside so we broke down and allowed the kids to do it in the kitchen. Fortunatley things didn't get too messy!

The day before Halloween the kids school had a costume parade. It's quite funny to watch actually. The kids come out with their classrooms and parade around the parking lot while the parents stand on the sidelines cheering them on. Usually within a few minutes however the order and motorcade of kids has turned into chaos and the kids all just run around the parking lot in their costumes while the parents try to find their kid to get that keepsake photo! Then the teachers have to try to find all the kids and round them back up into groups with their class. This is usually when you will hear crying because as the littlest ones realize their mommies and daddies are leaving there is usually some heartbreak. What fun!

We ended the festivities with trick or treating in the subdivision on Halloween night. Most of the houses participated. The kids and I passed out candy here at the house until Todd got home from work. Cole and Gavin really love passing out candy. They were so excited they would usually open the door and run down the walk way to meet the trick or treaters instead of waiting for them to come to the door! Then Gavin would shout "thank you! thank you!" over and over again! After Todd got home we took the kids through the subdivsion. They really had fun despite how cold their little fingers got. They got enough candy to last them probably till Christmas or after!