Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving with the Blacks. We had a good time. We played a few games before dinner, then had an AMAZING meal (in which I was too busy preparing food to take any pictures). Afterwards we had a dessert competition, and I decided to turn a pie into a turkey.



I made it out of two pies, pumpkin and chocolate toffee, and whipped cream. Unfortunately, I forgot that whipped cream melts after you put it on, so it ended up being a pretty sorry looking turkey! Oh well! :) I did win an award for being most festive!






I am so grateful for this holiday. I want to give thanks for Thanksgiving.

Rock Ledge Ranch

Holly introduced us to Rock Ledge Ranch, which is just down the road from us. It was fun to see all the chickens, cows, horses, and sheep, and the kids had a blast feeding bread to the fish and ducks.

Halloween

Ashlee had a Halloween party at school, where she insisted on being Belle.


Ashlee and her teacher, Ms. Gerhardt.

What a pretty girl I have. :)

Then, later at the trunk-or-treat, we dressed up as the Incredibles.


And we changed costumes AGAIN to go to a friend's party later.
I got to go as Catherine Zeta Jones, with the mysteriously handsome Zorro.


And Sammy was a cute little sheep.


P.S. Most of these costumes we didn't have to buy, we just borrowed from family. It really is awesome having family close by!! :)

October is Birthday Month Around Here

Gabe and Benny's birthdays are both in October, so it's a busy month for us. For Gabe's birthday, I planned a "Movie by Firelight" party for him, where the plan was to build a fire outdoors and watch a movie with a projector. The moveable fire pit was his big present from me. Unfortunately, the weather turned a bit colder, and we had to watch the movie in our basement instead. We have yet to watch a movie outside by our firepit, but can't wait until warmer weather arrives so we can!

Now for Benny's birthday.
Waking up to presents first thing...


Benny's all-time love is cars and trucks, or really anything with wheels. And when we asked him what he wanted for his birthday, all he would say is, "I want fire on my cake." So here is the cake I made for him to celebrate his day.




We had a celebration with all the neighborhood kids on our street.




Then Benny had playgroup at our house the next day with all his friends from church. So we turned that into a birthday celebration as well.

(L to R) Lydia Weitzel, Laura Richards, Simon and Eliza Lauritzen, Brandon Beard
Missing: Sarah Christensen









I love my boys.