thanksgiving break

we had a fabulous break

we stayed home

which was wonderful

it was so nice to relax

with Eric commuting so much it was nice to all be here

we spent an afternoon at the beach

Beautiful but it was cold!
my lone boy on the shore

Jared built an fort for Grace
she loved it

natural tetter-totters

perfect size for  4 year old!

Tyler built his own fort
if you can't tell he is talking on his stone age cell phone

we actually only stayed about an hour and a half

momma got too cold and we had to go home

we wore this one out

this never happens

she fell asleep almost as soon as we got home and slept for hours

turns out she didn't feel very well :(

the boys began the holiday with famous Turkey Bowl!
they have looked forward to this for months okay maybe only weeks
but they have been so excited its been 2 years since we were in town for the big game

turns out it was a bit of disappointment
they are in-between big and little and somehow that's not such a fun spot
too big to be handed off the ball and too small to get it from the big teenagers

but the 2 hours of soccer afterwards was so AWESOME!!!

at least Alex, Tyler and Eric thought so
Jared doesn't like soccer and he came home early
but the others loved it

and most could walk the next day :)

the whole week was a world of baking for me
I loved it!
oh was I happy!!

 and I did have to buy a bouquet of fall flowers!
how could I not
they were beautiful and they make me happy 

we had planned to have friends come to our home but ended up going to friends instead for dinner
we had a fabulous dinner way too much good food!

and the day after Thanksgiving we get our tree
my favorite part!!!!

Santa was there
although Miss Grace wasn't convinced
"mom just so you know, that wasn't really Santa, that was just a helper"

if you look close we are missing one
he wouldn't come
something to do with having better things to do
sad 
but sometimes its not worth the fight
(he did wish later that he had come)

I love this farm!!!

it has been closed for 2 years
I was so excited that it was open again
it has such a beautiful view!!

most of my kids enjoy it
they run around playing hiding in the trees

Tyler was so excited to cut down the tree this year

We had her approval on the tree!

and he is excited really!!
you just can't tell
ok maybe he isn't excited
but he at least humors me and comes because he knows I love it so much!

tough boys!

they are really getting too big
kind of makes me happy and sad at the same time

hot cider afterwards!!
we snuck this in while daddy was having the tree shaken and netted

Eric like to get in and out
I like to take my time and enjoy
but I am happy to say we were quick and in and hour in an hour

Sunday we had our 2nd Thanksgiving
everyone has 2 right?
we had a turkey, 
got it for free because I spent so much $$$$,
so we had to cook it!
Eric deep fat fried it
it was a new experience
we didn't burn the house down
so all is well

it was a wonderful 5 days
I think everyone enjoyed the break from reality
now everyone is back to our normal routine
with sick kids, basketball practice, homework, commuting, freezing temperatures and mom trying to keep it all together!
we are already looking forward to Christmas time and enjoying that glorious season
my goal is to keep it simple and not get caught up in the craziness!
Wish me luck