Smiling.

yes, smiling.

because when i start to think of what i'm thankful for,

i smile.

i smile because i think of my husband and how good his soul is. his determination to make me laugh in my worst of moods,

he is so much more than i ever deserved.

i smile because i think of my daughter who is more and more beautiful everyday, and in so many ways a mini-me in character, and in so many ways constantly teaching me to be better.

i smile because i think of my son, his sweet little smile that melts my heart. his arms that strangle me with hugs all the day long.

i smile because i think of how many dear friends & family i have, and how fortunate my life is, and the amazing opportunities i have had.

i smile because we are healthy, and happy, and swimming in love.

...then i become teary eyed.

and all choked up.

 

because by the time i have thought of the things i am most thankful for,

i become overwhelmed with emotion, overwhelmed with how blessed i am.

overwhelmed with an immense gratitude for all i have, and who i am.

but oh the joy of being able to fully appreciate.

that is what a celebration of thanksgiving is about, to me.

happy thanksgiving!

*****

Happy Birthday...

***

My amazing husband turned thirty two years old. 

His birthday falls right in the middle of Deer Season so normally we celebrate his birthday @ the deer lease or his parent's house but not this year... Adrianna had a basketball game so he & the kids did a morning hunt and then headed back home!

 We wanted to make it special, Adrianna & I cooked him all his favorites for dinner

{t-bone steak, boiled shrimp, baked potatoe and salad}

 We didn't have time to bake a cake so instead he got a

DQ Reese's Peanut Butter Blizzard birthday cake ... I  think one slice contained 720 calories but oh my it was worth it!

He spent the rest of the night playing with his birthday gift... cabelas big game hunter 2012 on the wii.

My husband {hearts} hunting

I love you sweetie!

I hope you had a HAPPY Birthday

xoxoxo

Happy Halloween

We had a FUN FILLED day of Halloween.

It started with Andrew’s Halloween Party @ School.

He went as the yellow transformer a.k.a bumblebee.

Originally, the plan was he & his sister were dressing up as

“Rock Stars” this year but he spotted this costume in the

Halloween Store and had to have it.

How could I say "NO" to this face

He had to bring a snack to the party so Adrianna & I made these.... found the idea on  Pinterest 

So cute and much healthier than candy

Jeremy & I took the kids  Rockers treat or treating around the neighborhood and I am not sure who LOVED it more

I am so used to Adrianna coming home with all her candy

and putting it on the counter and walking away.....Well

Andrew is a different story, he was very possessive with his

candy and wouldn't stop eating it and wanted MORE!

Pumpkins...and more

this weekend...

we carved pumpkins...

we played Mr. potato head with our pumpkins,

we made spider cupcakes

we made caramel apples

we went boo-ing...

we had a family halloween dinner,

we made a pumpkin cake...

and more!

life is good...

We indulged in sweets all weekend, in fact we have ate too much sugar.

We're all paying for it...

now, we are only eating nourishment that does not involve sugar.

 

Wordless Wednesday Pumpkin Patch

Deer Season = Shopping trip for the girls

Andrew went on his 1st Deer hunt with Jeremy.


Adrianna & I took a road trip to Branson with our besties Debbie & Mallory.


We couldn’t have picked a more perfect weekend…the drive was beautiful with all the leaves changing colors and the weather was gorgeous. We stayed overnight in Harrison which is quickly becoming my favorite. It’s a charming, quaint town. our road trip to Harrison last year.
We ate dinner at DeVito’s they serve delicious trout
{straight from Trout farm}

We hit all the outlet malls in Branson.
Let me tell you…. I NEEDED some retail therapy.



Adrianna was so sweet, she thought of her little brother the whole time. I think she spent more money on him than herself. She had to buy him his 1st build a bear.



 

Adrianna getting Andrew's bear suffed

Adrianna rubbing the heart

I told her she had to give it a bath & brush it too! wink wink

She made Andrew one happy boy... that face is cracking me up!

He named his bear Jodi and they are inseparable

Honor Roll Baby!!

What do ya know!!?

I went to Parent-Teacher Conferences tonight to get Adrianna's Report Card and she's a straight A student! Jeremy & I couldn't be more proud. She has been working very hard and has spent countless hours studying for test, reading & working on projects. She only had one absence and that was because she had a doctor's appointment that couldn't be rescheduled.

Good Job Anna!! Keep up the GREAT work!

Only 5 3/4 more years to go!! haha ;)