Thankful

 

We're back!  I survived a month without our laptop (which decided to crash right after Halloween), but I have missed posting pictures and regular updates.  Thanks to Black Friday sales, we have a new computer and I'm able to resume blogging- Hooray!

  

November has been fun-filled and busy for us.  Mark participated in No-Shave November and we all liked his bristly new look this month.  Luke began his first season of basketball and has his first game this weekend.     

 

Mommy has been busy attending class field trips, helping with school holiday events, and shuttling kids to birthday parties, sports practices, and preschool.   Leah has enjoyed being a part of a new play group this fall, and we've been soaking in lots of play time with our neighbors and friends.  Our newest neighbor, "Goody", is pictured below, and is the current star of our cul de sac.   

 

 

 

Winnie has endured yet another season of themed collars, scarves, and accessories, and continues to be the most loving, sweet, big sister ever to L&L (who like to "ride her like a pony" and play tug of war). 

 We just concluded a fun-filled Thanksgiving week at our house with Grandpa, Mimi, and Gawa.  We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on Thursday morning as Chef Mark prepared our delicious turkey.  We were lucky to have two sous chefs this year that baked Mimi's world famous apple pie, too!

An annual Thanksgiving highlight is our search for the Magic Turkey.  During Quiet Time, I found the kids looking out the window... "just in case he flies by, Mommy". 

After much build-up, the hunt began, and although the kids didn't catch that magical bird, The Magic Turkey left great presents this year: Lego Advent calendars and Leapster games!

We all looked forward to our Thanksgiving feast, but no one more so than Leah, who sat at her place at the table long before dinner was served.  She was so quiet and still in the dining room, and only later did we discover that she had been sneaking bites of cranberry Jell-O salad the entire time (the stains smeared into the tablecloth were our first clue)...

 

However my theory is that if you look this cute wearing turkey pjs, you can get away with a LOT!

 

 

We also snagged $1 tickets to a WFU basketball game through an "Old Gold and Black Friday" promotion, and loved taking Mimi and Grandpa on a trip down memory lane to watch the Demon Deacons play:

We spent lots of time outdoors while the weather was nice and went for a family hike on the nature trail in our neighborhood.  That same afternoon, Gawa caught a HUGE bass in our neighborhood lake!

 

 

When grandparents are in town, there are always special excursions, and we took a trip to Chuck E Cheese and Krispy Kreme one morning.  I'm not sure who had the most fun!

 

 

 

 

We all enjoyed a break from school/work and read lots of books, played many board games, and built Lego creations:

 

All that fun wore out our kiddos, and I love these shots of our precious babies resting.  How thankful we are for them, and for our many blessings!