giving thanks

Thanksgiving started with the usual traditions: Macy's parade on TV with special snacks including homemade cinnamon rolls, decorating the tables with what we found in the yard, baking the must-have squash rolls (this year it became Annah's special job to make the rolls and she baked secret messages inside: little slips of paper that everyone had written something they were thankful for), smoking TWO turkey's all day on Shane's new grill and of course eating a wonderful meal.

Unfortunately our newest family member (Ruby) didn't eat one single bite. She didn't even care for the yams with marshmallows!

We were blessed to have Dale with us for two nights and West especially loved wrestling with his Uncle Dale.

The following night we took advantage of free bowling at the bowling alley this month (with four cans of food for the Food Bank) and took the kids to the family friendly Cosmic Bowling. Mimi, Chip and Lissa joined us. West absolutely loved it and Annah couldn't get enough. Even Silas was grooving to the music.

We missed Leyah this year who is in Nantucket and of course Nick. Both Leyah and Nick were with us last year for Thanksgiving and we pulled out their special name place cards and put them on the table even though they weren't with us. Nick sadly passed away from his cancer in August. He spent the last 2 or 3 years worth of holidays with us so it was sad and strange.

This year I am so thankful not only for my health and my family's good health but for the work the Lord is doing in my heart and the hearts of my family.  We have been drawn closer to Him in so many ways this year and we've learned not only to depend on him for so many needs but our faith has grown tremendously as we've watched Him meet those needs one after one. We are also so thankful for our church where we have now been going for 6 months. After feeling unsettled for so long, having a church home again is such a blessing for all of us.

ruby rue

halloween pics

I'm finally posting these few pics from Halloween so they make it into our blog book! We had a very low key day with a 2 pm scramble in the costume box and some time with  hot glue gun and then we were off for our small town trick or treat walk through downtown where the shops give out candy. Afterwards we briefly trick or treated a few houses on our street before it got dark and scary outside then we turned out the porch light, baked a pizza and watched a Charlie Brown Halloween special on TV while the kids ate as much candy as they could in 30 minutes. That night the flu bug hit our house starting with me (I NEVER want to see a miniature candy bar again!) and the kids sold the rest of their candy to the dentist down the street for $2 pound later that week.

bigger family = bigger car

Today we are thankful for this new car that seats our whole family comfortably plus has an extra seat! We outgrew our little mini van long ago and have been praying for the Lord to provide a new, bigger, car. We are so thankful that He provided this great car at a fabulous price. Today Shane, Rue and I made the four hour trip (each way!) to Medford to pick it up. Can you tell the trip was a good bonding time for Rue and I? I think she liked having all my attention for herself. She is a little darling and just sang and jabbered away the whole way down and back. It was a fun road trip and Shane and I enjoyed the four-hours down to talk without interruption. By the way, in case you can't tell, it's a Suburban!

an autumn walk

happy first birthday dear Silas

On Sunday, October 21st we celebrated Silas's first birthday with brunch and a visit from Grammie and Grandpa. There were donuts to taste, things to unwrap including a darling little handmade ball made by big sister Mira, a much loved rattle crafted by sister Annah, mama-made reversible flannel lined pants, a first pair of shoes, a froggy toy and a train. As all babies do, Silas loved the unwrapping and tearing of paper the most. It was a great day and we loved every minute of celebrating our sweet little boy. The last photo above cracks me up. Can you guess who didn't like that the attention wasn't on them?

daddy is home

A rich man is one whose children run into his arms, even when his hands are empty.