Turkey for me, turkey for you...

I love Thanksgiving. It's become one of my favorite holidays. Here are a few pictures from our celebration this year...

Our fruit gobbler appetizer - Ava helped me make this. Although she was really good about eating the fruit right off the skewers as we made it!

These cute napkin rings were Ella's contribution to Thanksgiving dinner. She worked hard making these, all 25 of them! One for everyone! And everyone loved them!

They doubled as place cards.


After dinner the kids all made apple turkeys...

Ella dressed up as an indian for the day!

And while the guys were busy watching the game,


the girls were busy getting the kids ready to do this...

Let me tell you this is one crazy, busy, messy, fun tradition! We love it!

Our finished products...

Happy turkey day everyone!!

Something crafty

Every once in a while I get the itch to do something crafty. I made this bag for a bridal shower I went to a couple of weeks ago. The bride on the bag is supposed to be the real bride. Her wedding colors are pink and brown and she has blonde hair. I had to show it off because I had a lot of fun making it and I thought it came out pretty cute. Today I find myself in the mood for some Christmas crafts...be on the look out!

Another birthday!

How is it that I already have a seven year old?! And why does every year seem to fly by faster than the last? I'm still trying to figure out how to stunt my kids' growth and make them stay little and with me forever. But in the mean time, we celebrated Ella's seventh birthday this month. We had our own little fun family party the day of her birthday. Ella knows I will make her any cake she wants. She's looked through some of my catalogs, she has seen the many many possibilities. This year however, she picked something that wasn't in any of my catalogs. This...

Yes, the Texas flag! I asked her if she was serious and if that was what she really wanted. Yes, it was. Then I asked why and got this response... "Because Texas ROCKS!" I LOVE IT!! I love that my seven year old already has Texas pride! I don't necessarily think I've instilled it in her, I think it has more to do with school, but I think it's just great!!

And then we had a friends party! It was thrown together faster than any party I've ever done, and it was so fun! I'm only uploading a couple of pictures though (in an effort to get more posts done!) Invites were sent out on a week's notice (I broke my own cardinal rule of two weeks minimum notice) and it wasn't until after invites were out that I knew what we were going to do. We had a luau! I already had most of the decorations and figured it would be an easy party to throw together that I knew Ella would love. We had fun decorations, lots of fun hawaiian party music, Ella wore a grass skirt, we greeted friends with leis, they got hawaiian tatoos, we made colorful sand art, had a pinata, hula hoops, limbo (over and over and over again because they were having so much fun with it!) little umbrellas in their hawaiian punch, opened presents, and had cake and ice cream. Fun was had by all, and in the end I had one very happy seven year old!

I love this girl so so so much and am in awe every day that she is mine. Sometimes I feel bad for Ella; we've made so many mistakes trying to figure out how to be parents. I hope we don't mess her up too bad. I'm thankful that she is so patient and quick to forgive. I love that she makes friends so easily and makes friends everywhere we go. I love that she is such a happy girl and gets so excited about the little things. I love that she loves books and I love listening to her read. I love her adorable toothless grin. I love the piles of art work she makes for me. I love the sparkle in her eyes when she is happy. I love that she is sensitive and dramatic and girlie as girlie can be. I love that she is an organizer and that she loves to help me craft, bake, shop, be a mom. I love watching her sing, read, snuggle, and play with her little brother and sister. I love that she looks forward to weekends and breaks from school just because she wants to be home with us. I love that she wants to learn and asks so many questions. I love that she is mine. Forever. I love my Ella. Happy Birthday big girl!!

Halloween

It was so fun to dress my kids as characters from the Wizard of Oz this year! Ella was Dorothy, Ava as the scarecrow, and Drews as the lion. I just gotta say...they were so darn cute!! It was especially great that they had the opportunity to wear their costumes several times this year.

The first time was when we went to Grandma and Grandpa's ward halloween party. They had a fun little carnival and dinner and then trunk or treating.

This may be the only picture I have of Ava with her hat on. She would not keep it on.

So fun to be there with cousins!

I could not get a picture of this darling little lion looking at me. He loved wearing his costume and was so stinkin' adorable! But every time I got him to look at me, he would grin from ear to ear and come running to me. I'd try to snap a picture but by the time it took, he was in my arms!

Then they had the wonderful opportunity of wearing their costumes to a nursing home where they sang songs and then mingled with the elderly. It was such a great experience for them! We loved it!

My friend took this picture. She was clearly snapping this cute little robot, but I love the candid shot of my girls smiling at each other in the background. Such sweet sisters!

I finally got a picture of all 3 of them together when we met up with friends at a trunk or treat. It's not the best picture, but at least they are all 3 in it!



I was fully expecting halloween night to be the night of greatness for pictures! They were all going to wear face makeup and I was going to get the best pictures of them yet! But Drews would have nothing to do with the face painting and Ella wasn't in the mood. She actually wasn't feeling well and didn't even want to go trick or treating. I thought maybe she was just being grumpy and would get over it when we were out and about and she was with friends. My poor girl. I was wrong. She really didn't want to go and once we were out she cried and finally climbed into the stroller with Drews because she didn't feel well. She did no trick or treating. Ava on the other hand totally got it this year! And it was so fun to follow her around and see her get so excited about it all. She ran as fast as her little legs would take her from house to house. We did about a dozen houses and called it good. It's all about the experience for me, and Ella was so miserable. We left, and Ella promptly started throwing up on the way home.

In the future...

At school Ella has been learning about past, present and future. She had to write a "paper" about what she would like to be in the future. She brought it home today. It says...

"In the future I would like to be a mom. Moms have children, go shopping, boss children, call people, take care of children, go to meetings, give children spankings, put children in time out, take children to school. Moms have friends, go to church, and moms can get on the computer."

Now on the one hand, I love that Ella wants to be a mom! On the other hand, should I be worried about what she thinks that role entails?! Because this is how I interpret what she wrote..."My mom talks on the phone, goes shopping, is mean to her kids, and spends all her time with her friends, at church meetings, and on the computer." Hmmm....maybe I'm being sensitive today....

Havin' a BALL!

My baby turned ONE on September 11th! We had a fun family party centered on the theme "Have a Ball!" And oh boy, did we ever!

We started with dinner. Everything we ate was ball shaped!

Meatballs (served over rice)...

Peas, balled canteloupe, grapes, balled watermelon, and a cheeseball with ritz crackers


My first attempt at a homemade pinata! Unfortunately I didn't start it soon enough to allow the proper amount of drying time. I was going to decorate it as a soccer ball. So just before the party started I spraypainted it and slathered on strips of construction paper...the kids certainly didn't seem to mind! The pinata fillers were also all ball shaped things.

Presents!

And then cake! Drews had his own baseball cake, but he didn't really eat it. He mostly just started at it. He did get a little dirty with the help of some cousins though!

You can see here where others were helping him along the way! He didn't seem to mind though!

The guest cake...I bought a Costco cake but I made the balls to put on top of it. Yes, I know my football looks messy. I also finished this just before the party started and was getting tired and frustrated with it. And I was running out of frosting and had to improvise with what I had. So I was happy with this cake with the exception of the football! It's all good....noone complained about how it tasted!

Popcorn ball party favors! Drews' picture on one side and the other side said, "Thanks for coming to my party! Hope you had a BALL!"

I never knew my heart could be so full. This little boy has brought such a happy spirit into our home. What was I ever thinking?! Being scared of having a boy?! He is perfect! His smile is infectious and he's got all of us wrapped around his little finger. I'm so grateful to be blessed with the awesome responsibility of raising this choice spirit. He is truly a special one. Happy birthday "Bubs!" WE LOVE YOU!!!

LV2 - I heart u!

Yesterday was a sad day for me. It actually started on Saturday afternoon when a member of the Stake Presidency visited us in our home. He released Dave from his Ward Clerk call and spent some time visiting with us and counseling us. We knew there would be some changes to ward boundaries and that we were no longer in the Lewisville 2nd Ward. I was sad. I was sad that evening and cried to my husband about it. And I was sad at church the next morning knowing I couldn't say anything to anyone, and was on the verge of tears throughout the block of meetings. And I was sad after church as I had the afternoon to ponder it. I had my own little pity party that afternoon but then decided that I would go to the special meeting with a good attitude and not let this effect me so. That didn't happen. Knowing what was following, I fell apart during the opening song. And I never got it back together. Seriously. I must have looked so silly. Some may have found it a little ridiculous or thought that I was being immature. And yes, I was embarrassed. I typically try to hide that kind of emotion, especially in front of large groups of people. I wasn't loud, I wasn't vocal, I'm pretty sure I didn't cause a scene....I just couldn't fight the tears. No words comforted me. I appreciated the testimonies and was excited when I heard our new Bishop's testimony. And I too have a testimony that this is the Lord's desire and for whatever reason this is where we need to be now. But I'm still sad. Not because I don't get to be with my closest friends anymore. We're friends and we will still see each other and get together often. I don't worry about that. I am sad for other reasons, and I'm only actually going to name a few =) ....

Lewisville 2nd Ward is special. It's hard to explain, to put into words. But it is special; just ask anyone that's moved out! It's a great ward. And in the last year I have grown to love it more than I ever thought I could. And never before have I relied so heavily on a ward for the support that I have felt, especially over the last year. This ward has been there for me and my family through miscarriages, surgeries, unemployment, family deaths, and other trials. We have been blessed with the most amazing visiting and home teachers. I simply cannot express how much I love them. I think of the times we have sat in our Bishop's office and he has counseled with us and brought peace to us. I think of the way R.S. has personally touched my life and the two r.s. presidents who have been so kind and compassionate. There is a strong sisterhood there. I have felt it many times, over and over. I have grown to love the ward members and appreciate what each individual brings to our ward. Often times through my trials, when I pray looking for guidance, the answer I receive is to serve. It's SOOO true that we learn to love through service. I have been amazed serving as compassionate service leader to see how much is really done. And I know much more happens than I am even aware of. I am even sad to see my husband released from his calling. He has enjoyed it, he has developed some great friendships through it, and I have seen so much growth in him. And I have learned so much from him through his example. He has been so diligent and I know that he too will miss serving with the men he served with. I'm sad for my Ella girl. She has loved having her aunt as her primary teacher. This has been an exciting and happy primary year for her. I'm sad that she doesn't understand as much and will be seperated from kids she has gone to church with since she was a baby.

I know, I know...I can have all of this in another ward. But that doesn't make it easy and I'm still sad! It takes time. And for me, it's going to take patience. I woke up this morning feeling more hopeful about this change and know that over time things will get better. I am grateful for having "grown up" in the Lewisville 2nd Ward. And I look forward to growing up more in the Coppell 1st Ward. I am confident that my Heavenly Father knows how I feel right now and that He has something in store for me and my family - perhaps even a move over the boundary lines! Just kidding...for now anyways!

Random

As I was searching through my unorganized pictures trying to find what I did want to post, I came across some random pictures that made me smile. No particular order, no rhyme or reason, completely random. Enjoy!

Dave would kill me! I just wanted to see what he would look like, but even he wasn't too thrilled with me...

Love those silly boy cousins!

This was Jan '09. It started early with Ava!

My 7 month old Ava Joy...

A simpler time....only one kid!!

The coolest cats EVER...Linus and Prissy...miss them...

Doing what they do best...

Ella and Kenzie...on Mother's Day so long ago!

Ella's very first day of dance...just 3 months before her 3rd birthday! Wow!

My favorite Thanksgiving Day tradition...

The loves of my life...

One of my most favorite activities that I headed up while serving on Activities Committee...and thankful that I don't have to do it this year! I loved our posters...

The kind of stuff I get to do in my calling now! I made these centerpieces for a funeral luncheon...


Ava may have reverted just a little after Drews was born...


Still reverting... =)

What can I say?! My heart skips a beat seeing this...

My goofy goofy kid! Loves to be thrown over Dad's shoulder like a sack of potatoes!

Just skipped another beat...Have I ever told you that Drews has 3 moms? He does.

The best little cooking helpers you'll ever find!

A pretty normal occurence at Grandpa and Grandma's house. We LOVE having our cousins so close that we get to get together frequently and enjoy the simple things together.

Love this girl's hair!

Seriously, can you say "Oooh, Ahhhh..."

Acting out the nativity with the MacKillop cousins. Ella as the angel, Ava as a wandering sheep bribed by m&m's to stay with her shepherd and Drews as Baby Jesus. So cute I just can't stand it!

Cousin Harrison made Ella a matching cape and "Super Woman" emblem! Love that they're such good buddies!


One stinkin' cute little dude!

Never cease to laugh when I see this! This was done at the beginning of Ella's kindergarten year. The assignment was to draw and write 4 things that started with the letter of the week. S is for Snow White. Does Snow White look, um WHITE to you?! I reminded Ella why she is called that. She knew, but she couldn't find a white crayon! Brown'll do!

My dad snapped this one night when we were at their house. I love it. It's the only picture I have of me reading to my kids.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E! Pure Trouble!

But that little trouble maker has a partner in crime!

Ella on Cowgirl Day (kindergarten)...

Watch out! Ava has the BEST bed head!

Forget the fact that I came on here to actually blog about specific things. This was way more fun! Thanks for joining me for a bit of nostalgia! More may be coming your way!