Boise Christmas Tree Lighting

The Saturday after Thanksgiving has turned into a very fun tradition for us! Boise has a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony downtown every year that we really enjoy going to. Everyone holds a red or green candle, and the sight among the crowd after the sun goes down is amazing!

There's just something wonderful about the people of the city you live in and love coming together and celebrating Christmas together by singing Frosty the Snowman and Silent Night - loud and proud! It really starts off the season right. I love Boise!!!

Thankful for Thanksgiving!

Aaaaahhhh... Thanksgiving. I LOVE this holiday! Always filled with the Macy's Parade, a 1,000 piece puzzle to be done before Christmas, home videos, and cooking all day. And believe it or not, that part is actually fun for me, since I save all my cooking and baking for one day of the year!

And please allow myself to pat myself on the back for a minute.... it actually all turns out pretty darn delicious! The family really appreciates the meal when the the rest of the year is hamburger helper, grilled cheese, and spaghetti! (from a jar even)

Mashed potatoes that didn't come from a box are a rare treat around here... once a year rare!

I actually love that I don't cook these kinds of meals often... (at all)... we would never enjoy it as much as we do on Thanksgiving! And I am ever so grateful for a wonderful family who all happily agree!

Unexpected Look-a-Likes!

My sister Kelley was looking at the baby pictures of the kids on our refrigerator and found a pretty striking resemblance of little Eleni in baby Jack!

He thought that was pretty neat.

I think they'll be pretty good buds. Jackson will be a great protector of her, I'm sure!

Buried In Leaves!

This was the last raking job before winter set in..... the kids definitely took advantage of the leaves first and had a blast!

This is one of my favorites!

Almost to the end of the year now - whew!

Veteran's Day Parade and BSU Game 2009

I am very behind here, but also have a very good excuse - surgery!! So, slowly I will catch up to 2010..... but for now, here is some of November of 2009!

We love the Veteran's Day parade every year.... it has become a family tradition.

I think my favorite part is when a local high school football team carries this enormous American Flag down the street. It always takes my breath away.

Great friends gave us 4 tickets to the big BSU game - Chip, Taylor, Aubrey, and Jack had a blast while Hannah and I went to the mall and got her ears pierced! :)

GOOD TIMES!!!!!

HaLLoWeeN 2009

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We tell our kiddos they can trick or treat till age twelve. There's just something about seeing teenagers trick-or-treating that rubs me wrong. Some might think that's weird. That's ok. :)

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So, this year was Aubrey's last! She threw a costume together the morning of the 31st. Way to go Aubs. Hannah and I found some black boots in the costume box and she decided she wanted to be a cowgirl, and Jack out of the blue announced one day he wanted to be the Phantom of the Opera!

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Taylor went to a church Halloween dance. She and her friends all went as Supergirl! The talented moms made the capes.... not me. :)

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I can't believe next year we will only have two trick-or-treaters! That really does make me feel old!

Pumpkin Patch Portraits :) 2009

I LOVE Idaho Pumpkin patches... the real deal! Took a while to get used to, but can appreciate the song "Jack-o-lantern" now when it talks about a "yellow pumpkin growing on a sturdy vine"! After moving here.... I finally get it!

This year, my sister Ellen and her boyfriend were visiting from CA, so we all met there and had a really great time.

Hannah's 10th Birthday

Birthdays around here always start out with the famous Birthday Couch! It quickly became quite a wonderful tradition in our home when I kinda accidentally started it 12 years ago - it has been adopted by several families, and I think that is wonderful!

This year, Taylor and Aubrey volunteered on their own to completely plan, and carry out a party for Hannah. They did everything, and I do mean everything! They were very organized too! They had fun decorations in mind, several fun games to play, a funny home video of a two year old Hannah to show her friends, and lots of fun little tid bits throughout the party. It was wonderful! Chip and I literally sat back, took pictures, and watched. It was GREAT!

Tyler and Kelley came by and helped put up the decorations. I think Hannah's favorite part of her day was getting to hold Eleni!

Here is Taylor and Aubrey's plan of events for the party - they managed to stay right on schedule too!

The next day, Hannah got to choose her favorite meal for dinner, and help make it! She chose sour cream chicken enchaladas, ceasar salad, and cream cheese corn - mmmmmmmm!!!!

Hannah is now the age that I was when I met my husband, now is that crazy, or what?!?!?! Hannah is a delight. There is nobody quite like our Hannah Banana - she is unique and we love her just the way she is!