Cousin Pictures - Overload!!

Well...these are my best pictures of the cousins - which is your favorite?

Twas The Day Before Thanksgiving

Lucy Thanksgiving Feast included making LOTS of pigs in a blanket...which was so fun making with all the kids!





I also got to participate in Carlie's Thanksgiving party, which was lots of smiles and lots of sugar.





This last picture was Lucy's actual smile when they lit up the Santa Claus! Priceless!

What a fun "Day Before Thanksgiving"! I started out the morning helping in Lucy's class for their Thanksgiving Feast. I just love Lucy's teacher, and helping her is always fun.

Then onto Carlie's classroom party. We raced with popcorn on spoons, cut out turkeys and ate Brownie Cupcakes. Lucy also had the opportunity to participate in this party, and thought she was big stuff running with the big kids!

Then onto the Downtown Santa Lighting. We started this tradition a few years ago when the kids were old enough to bear the cold! We started out with dinner at Toscani's - which the kids love because they get to play with dough while waiting for their food. Then B&D had a kid friendly holiday party to kick off the holidays. Lots of cookies, sweets and hot chocolate for all. I think the best part of it is watching the girl's faces as the crowd starts to count down and then the whole side of the building is lit up with thousands of lights. They oohh'd and ahh'd over everything. On the way home, Carlie even said, "this has been the best night, thanks for taking us mommy and daddy." Again, priceless.

Tooth No. 4

Carlie lost her fourth tooth at school today. She was chasing her friend Gage, when he accidently knocked her mouth - and out came the tooth! I was so glad it came out, it was hanging in there sideways! I just can't tell you how much I enjoy her toothless smiles. The picture is of the note she left the tooth fairy...note she is trying to bribe the tooth fairy with $.75 for a "braclet that has my name on it" instead of the normal cash. Quite the little diva, isn't she?

Operation Christmas Child

Today we had an opportunity to serve others by Operation Christmas Child. An organization where churches, schools, or just plain simply everybody packs a shoebox full of small presents, these shoe boxes are marked "girl" or "boy" and shipped across the world to orphanages and poverty stricken countries for Christmas. As we are continually spoiling our children with the upcoming Christmas holiday, the statement struck me that "this box may be this child's first and only gift as a child." How sad. No parents, no gift, and most of all, no Christ. The girls each packed their boxes with love and care, and Carlie included a note with her address (in hopes of a letter in return) and telling this child, "Jesus Rocks!" Her love for Christ is so pure and strong right now, at times, I am jealous of it! Selfless faith is a teaching that never ends as a parent. At every corner I turn, I see my girls thoughts and actions of entitlement. American Girl Doll, Wii, DS, whatever they wish for Christmas, they will receive. I must take blame for this, they are my children, I love the smiles on their faces when they open presents. My prayer this season is to continually remind them of what others don't have, and to be thankful of all the blessings that are showered on us each day, and to leave each day a little more Christlike and think of ourselves a little less.