Margaret is Six!!!

 Turning 6 is a big deal!  

Not only do you get to use two hands to show people your age but you also get to have a fun party at the ice skating rink!  Okay, you can do this at any age but this girl was on cloud nine when I gave her some choices for her birthday.  Her birthday is in November, which in her words is "boring because you can't have a party at a park, the swimming pool, or even play outside!"  Some choices were movie, skating, ice skating, GOING TO DINNER ON THE PLAZA AND TAKING A CARRIAGE RIDE TO SEE PLAZA LIGHTS.  Can you tell which one I was hoping that she would choose???  Of course she wasn't thinking the same thing that I was so we all headed out to the ice skating rink!  This was the first birthday that we weren't at home for and I wanted to make it extra special.  Since we were with family she got to have two special days, one with each side of the family! 

 My time with this little one seems to be just flying by!  

I will never forget the day she had to grow up in a blink of an eye!  She was only 18 months old the day she came to the hospital to meet her baby brother.  I remember looking at her and I began to cry because it hit me that she was still just a baby too!  Poor thing was kicked out of her crib at 14 months (still can't believe that I did this!)! There are times that I feel bad for this, but I also realize that this has shaped her into who she is today.  

She is a firecracker!  Full of determination, honesty, curiosity, and a heart full of warmth for others.  She stumps me daily with questions about God, earth, the sky...this girl is headed someplace awesome!  Can't wait to see where she will land in life but I am for certain it will be someplace great!

 Every American Girl needs her own Vespa!  Of course with a matching helmet!

I love how this picture tells the story of these girls.  

Maddie is in the middle of the sisters, to keep peace between them I'm sure!  Isabella is two steps ahead of everyone because she always does everything so quick!  Margaret is a tad behind Maddie trying to keep up, and of course Maddie's patience is allowing her to hang on to her little cousin's hand!  

Love these girls, hope they stay this close for life!

Happy Birthday my precious girl!

I bet you know this by now, but in case you forgot...I love you to the moon and back ;)

Gobble Gobble

We got to travel home for Thanksgiving and it just melted my heart to be near our families and see these kiddos spend some much needed time together!

 My sweet niece turned ten!

Can't believe she is old enough to be in the double digits!  Everything about her is as sweet as can be!  My girls look up to her so much!  She is the organizer of the group, always makes sure everyone stays on track!  No matter what is going on I have never seen her loose patience with my kids, trust me this can be a hard task at times.  She is always fair to them and gives each and every one of them her attention.  We love  you sweet girl and are so thankful we got to spend your special day with you!

 They are even starting to dress alike!

Lots of chill time, which was just what the Doctor ordered!

 Cousin Sandwich!

 These boys look tough don't they?

 Got my brother in a picture!  Never thought this would happen! He probably wouldn't be too happy if he knew this!  Don't think he checks out my blog so I think I am safe:)  Loved spending time with these guys!

 A little football after dinner to burn off those calories.

 Would love to know what he is tell them!

 Always ready for a photo opp!

 Love this sweet picture with cousin Hanks!  He is a cutie for sure, think these two could have stared at each other for hours!

 Our sweet new nephew was baptized while we were home.  So glad we were able to share this special day with him.  He is so precious and such a wonderful gift to this family!  

Had to get a picture with "Big Papa"!  Check out the Papa Smurf shirt:)  The kids thought that this was hilarious!

Spending time with family, filling up on turkey, eating apple pie!  Can't think of a better way to spend our Thanksgiving!

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Today has been an exciting day in Tulsa...Santa Claus has come to town!   

 Our morning started off bright and early with the Christmas Parade!

 Isabella's cheer team got to cheer in the parade!

 Wish I would have gotten a shot from the front to show how excited my kids were to see this guy in the parade.

After the parade we headed home for the little ones to nap while Isabella caught a ride with a friend to the mall to cheer Santa being brought in by helicopter!

 Our night ended at Garden Glow at the beautiful Philbrook Gardens.  Hot chocolate, marshmallows, christmas music, crafts, and of course Santa!

 Making his mitten to hang on the tree.

 Very neat idea to make wildlife ornaments.  We used bagel slices and with peanut butter and birdseed!

 Here she used a pinecone with peanut butter, birdseed, and craisens!

 We hung these on the outdoor trees to decorate and feed the birds. 

 Love this idea!  Fun and easy to do with all ages!

Although he is on call this weekend he snuck away to spend some time with us.  We loved every second of it!

I didn't realize Santa would be here too!  It was a great surprise and the kids got to sit on his lap and have a chat with him about their Christmas wishes.  I wasn't allowed to take a pic of this...boo...but a professional photographer did so hopefully I will be able to share that soon!

I am definitely feeling the Christmas spirit after today.  Seeing Santa so many times and seeing the excitement on my kiddos faces was just what this momma needed!

Thankfulness!

One of my favorite guys invited me into his classroom last week for a Friendship Feast!

I loved getting to see him in this atmosphere and I had a chance to reflect on the many things that I am thankful for this past year!  It has come to me fast and furious with lots of change but the most important things in my life that I am most thankful for have stayed my constants...my husband, my children, and our family!

 These painted hands were the center pieces to each table.  Each hand had a child's name and what they were most thankful for.  My heart melted when I found my son's.  I love his answer!  I pray he always holds him this close to his heart!  

 Parents were also given a gift from their little one thanking us for all that we do for them:)

I meant to take a pic of this but got carried away with ooooing and ahhhhing over it!  He made me a dish from clay and painted it red and blue!

 So proud of his painted macaroni necklace and Native American feathers!  

The teachers assigned the parents the task of giving their child a Native American name that they would be called for the week while they learned the culture.  Either something that happened the day they were born or something that just fit the child.  Walter's name was "Burning Bush".  The moment I first laid eyes on him I knew he was going to have red hair, or as he says "orange" hair.  Even as a tiny baby boy his hair and eyelashes were like a flame.  He thought this story was pretty hilarious!

Such a fun day in PreK!  I loved every minute of it!

Fall Break!

We made it back to Kansas for our Fall Break!  Got to hang out on the farm where Mimi and Papa have been staying while their house is being built.  

Lots of love, giggles, and sweet eats went on this weekend! My favorite kind to have:)

Papa's girl!

They would have loved to ride this beauty but we couldn't catch her.  Decided to feed her apples instead!

This cute little cabin is on the property.  It is stocked with a warm cozy fireplace, nice scenic views, a loft to jump around in, and lots of soda in the fridge:)

We also made it into KC to spend time with friends that we have missed dearly.  Can't wait until our next trip!  Hopefully Mimi and Papa's house will be done:)

BOO! Happy Halloween!!!

Our first "Tulsa" Halloween!

Olympic Gymnast 2012!

 Clara from the Nutcracker!

 Darth Vader!

Strawberry Shortcake!

Here's the deal folks...when you start a "tradition" you gotta keep it up!  Your kids DON'T forget a thing!  And they don't let you forget either!  No matter what day of the week it is or what else might be going on, the tradition must go on!  

I LOVE traditions, but am wondering if I have created too many?  Is this possible???  I think you get the drift here, with Halloween in the middle of the week I felt like I had a ton going on but in the midst of it all it was so nice to let it go and have some Halloween fun!

 First tradition:  Pumpkin carving with pizza, pop, and of course candy.  This year we added some Michael Jackson "Thriller".  Wish I would have gotten this on video, the kids have almost mastered the moon walk:)  Mimi would be so proud!

 This little one was really into getting her creative vibe going.  Hardly needed my help this year with her pumpkin!  Even scooped out the pumpkin guts with her hand!  

 This is pretty much what he did the entire time...goof off!  He kept his daddy on task though making him his Yoda carved pumpkin.

 Still wouldn't touch the inside of the pumpkin, didn't like the fell of it...or the smell.  She came through though with a pretty cute Jack-O-Lantern with eyelashes to boot!

 One of our newest tradition is the carnival at our church.  Everything about this carnival brought me back to my younger years.  The games, the prizes, the smell of hotdogs and chili!  Kids running around admiring every ones costumes!  Even a haunted house to go through!  My kids had a blast!

We are so used to having family all around us. Because it was in the middle of the week it made it harder for a quick trip down here.  So we adjusted and it turned out great!  Our favorite newest tradition was getting to spend Halloween with the Goods!  We are so blessed and thankful to have these guys here in Tulsa.  They have been so kind and helpful to us since we moved here and we couldn't ask for a better family to get together and spend time with.  Can't wait to see baby Sydney in this pic next year:)  

Grandparents, of course we still missed you and hope you can make it down next year!