Tree time

While cooking our second Thanksgiving dinner of the week yesterday, we put up the Christmas tree.  We heard repeatedly that this was the boys most favorite time of the year.  You know they're getting older when you only have to separate one or two ornaments from the same branch rather than 15! 

The kids had craft time with Gram today and made ornaments.  Apparently the babies were not a fan of the paint, but they turned out great.

Gram braved the paint on hands and feet and we got an early Christmas present from the kids.  The kids had a blast and they love crafts.

Wordless Wednesday: Zipper pj's

Football

Cross Point held their first annual turkey bowl yesterday. The men played flag football and the kids did actual bowling with turkeys.  It was cold, it snowed and we froze, but we had a good time.  My man caught the ball with his face then decided his hands would be better and got a 1st down.  

We had our jubilee service this morning.  It was basically a big party that started with dessert and ended with a turkey dinner.  I'm officially excited for Thanksgiving!

Tap dancing queen

Corrie has been taking tap dancing classes this fall.  Her recital was last night so we grabbed the kids, met up with some friends and enjoyed a great show.  Corries group was #7 in a long list of groups.  I was positive the kids weren't going to last longer than her performance, but they surprised me.  Ellie sat on Jons lap the entire night.  After every single group she asked for 1 more.  Half way through Sam kept asking to go home after 1 more, but other than that, they did great.  Zach danced on my lap, Ben chatted with our friends and Corrie stole the show!  She was the only one in her group that remembered the whole routine and she looked great doing it!

Don't let her lack of smile throw you off. She was enthralled and is looking forward to her first dance class. So much for our savings!
You did a great job Corrie.  We're so proud!

Leaves

Its almost as good as playing in the snow!

Crowded

Yes, thats 2 turkeys, 2 Thanksgivings in 1 week.  I hope someone knows how special they are!

Rain Forest

One of the boys friends had a birthday yesterday and wanted to go to the Rain Forest to celebrate.  We met them up there and, as always, spent little time looking at animals and most of the time climbing on things!

Their idea of nice smiles!

Zach and Ellie could have stood there all day.

Another "nice" smile.  Seriously??

Pottery

When Jon was in college he took a pottery class. His cups and bowls are displayed in the dining room.  Ben decided he wanted to take a pottery class too.  Momo and Papa got him a class at the Beck center for his birthday.  He spent several weeks making a plate, mugs, giraffe, wind chime and a few other items.  Its going to take a while for everything to be fired and finished, but we do have one of his finished projects.  Bens mug is on the left and dads mug is on the right.  Not too bad for his first try!  

Movie night

Its been ages since we had a movie night.  We ordered a pizza, got comfy and threw in Elf.  Now it feels like the holiday season!

Rain gutter regatta

Last week, Bens cub scout troop had their annual rain gutter regatta.  Ben (and dad) decorated and put together a boat then went to work.  Ben won his first race, but lost the second.  It was still a good time though.

If you can't tell, Ben decorated his sail to look like the state of Ohio flag.

Lazy day

The boys love to cuddle together.

Ellie is always her own woman!

Wash out

Last weekend was the Cub Scouts fall camping trip.  Jon and the boys packed up Friday after work and spent two nights roughing it in a heated cabin!  Unfortunately, it rained all day long Saturday so the camera didn't make much of an appearance.  It sounds like they had a good time.  Wet, but good.  They did a long hike, crafts, games, a scavenger hunt and of course, lots of s'mores.  Camping came to an abrupt end Sunday at 6:30am when Ben got sick...from the top bunk.   

I think it was an evil plan between Ben and Jon.  Since he was sick, they missed out on the cabin clean up and they let Jon bring his car right up to the cabin rather than walking the .25miles to the car with all their gear and a sick kid.  Evil, but brilliant!