Thanksgiving Traditions! 2010

The traditional Chip with the turkey breast picture....

The traditional starting of a new 1,000 piece puzzle to be finished by Christmas...

The traditional trying to blow out the candle from your seat after dinner...

Started a new tradition last year... lego masterpieces! This year we had D.C. on the brain!

The traditional mom cooking a turkey after STILL having to look up "How to cook a turkey" on the internet.

Traditional "nice" table setting for the feast

s

We also traditionally watch the Macy's parade. Shortly after it was over... I saw this on the computer screen just after Jack asked to use the computer...

I love our traditions!!!

Still in awe...

after all these years! That's because more reasons keep popping up! I knew when I married him that he was a passionate person. But I had no idea just how much, and just what he'd make of that passion.

I love when he speaks to audiences. For a minute, I am so wrapped up in his message, that I forget that he is my husband! Then, when I realize I am married to the man captivating the audience, I swell with pride.

My favorite of all his presentations, is when he speaks about the famous Iwo Jima photograph. He explains in detail, each man in that picture. Where they are from, a little about their childhood, and about their lives after the photo was taken. He talks to the children about what it means to be a hero.

Then, he has six boys come up, "swear in", dress in his own uniforms, and portray the men in the picture. One by one, they take their place by the flag as Chip talks about who they are.

You can always hear a pin drop. After the presentation, I always want to stand a little closer to him so people know he is my husband. :)

I love this man. I don't care that he doesn't know where to find the spark plugs or how to change the oil. I love him for who he is today.

He touches people's lives.

He is my hero.

2010 Halloween Festivities

Perhaps I am a little behind.... but it's better than nothing?


Anyway.... this last Halloween, nobody could decide what to be for Halloween! I told them they had to be creative by coming up with a costume that didn't cost a dime. They did well!


Can you see what Hannah came up with for the church party? Underwear!! Get it? Under... "where"? A funny girl she is! Some people got it and laughed... but she hated explaining it to most people.. who didn't get it.


Taylor and her friend Shelby rummaged through their costume boxes and came up with this...


Aubrey made a cute dalmatian!

Jack got creative too! I love this one..... there aren't many people who can say they are literally - "Jack in the box."
Halloween festivities at school are always fun! I love having Anela with me - it's fun for her too. She got to eat lunch with Hannah and her best friend.

For part of Jackson's party, they square danced. I LOVE the look on his face right here when he had to hold a girl's hand!

I'm pretty sure the kid on the right won...

Anela got to make her own pumpkin. I love that the teachers always include her!

For Halloween night.. Hannah decided the weird looks and having to explain herself all night wasn't worth her underwear costume. And Jackson's box was too awkward and wouldn't be easy to run from house to house. So they also rummaged the costume box for trick or treating. When people asked Jackson what he was, he said, "confused!"

The girls went to a church dance. Aubrey as the always good last minute hippy costume, and Taylor as Wendy from Peter Pan. Funny thing was... there was a boy there dressed as Peter Pan! They even danced together! Taylor had to literally be pushed onto the dance floor to do it - super funny.

The year of creative costumes was one of my favorites! Not only because it didn't cost anything, but the kids really had fun coming up with ideas. Whew.


Even Gunner joined the fun!

Double Ones for Hannah

Hannah's Birthday in pictures...

She is a special girl, that Hannah Beth!

She is kind and generous...

She is unique.. definitely one of a kind.

She is excellent with little ones and fun to talk to!

She is a sweetheart. She lights up the room, that Hannah Beth!

And we love her so very much.