Surprise Gift!

Guess What we came home with from Pennsylvania? If you can see the black object behind the kiddos- Aunt Bonnie gave the tykes her old piano!
Miss P rearing to go with Aunt Bonnie on a few piano pointers!
We can't thank you enough Aunt Bonnie! The whole family is loving it! Dad is helping the tykes to learn some and even tonight dad was playing a few tunes himself!
It will sure get alot of love here!!!

Thanksgiving 2009

We went to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving with Brandon's parents who had flown in the week before to spend some time with us. 2 of Brandon's sisters live there, so it is a joy to see family! Sorry no pix of all the good food, I think it all went too fast!
This would be Miss P with a few of her fave cousins- Nik and Tanner. (note- we scored on getting the church for our dinner and room to run in the gym, which was well used!)
Daddy and Baby G playing some indoor soccer! Baby G would just a giggle each time dad helped him kick the ball! We also had some dancing, hockey, ride-on toys, giggling, running, and relaxing going on too!
Aunt Paula and Uncle Mike- you guys are some great hosts! Thanks for the fun visit! Also a big thanks to Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Dave, whom I didn't get a photo of. We always have a blast coming to visit with you all!
Picture time with a load of cousins! This is only 3 families too!
Happy Thanksgiving! We surely have alot to be grateful for this time of year! As I always am, I am so grateful for safe travel each day, for our freedom, for the sacrifices others make on me and my families behalf, for my husbands job, and my sweet family!

JUST,

LOVE-
THAT-
FACE!
Thanks for bringing me smiles each and every day! I love you sooo much! Thanks for being a part of our family!

Turning It Down!

We have been making some changes in our home and we have turned our cable off.
Let me tell you, it took me a week to get the nerve up to do it. It was like losing something. You get used to having so many channels to choose from when TV surfing at night, nice to have lots of kid shows on when you need a few minutes to get something done, fun to stay up to date on the celebrity lifestyles, all kinds of news stations, Reality TV, and I could go on and on!
But there has definately been a change in the house. The tykes have not complained once about it. It's been fun seeing what kinds of things they come up with to do with so much extra time not sitting in front of the TV, and me too!
The house does tend to get messier, but that was a trade I was willing to take.
The other morning, I found the older 2 tykes reading to each other in bed, H has been drawing more, Miss P is always up for imagitive play, entertaining Baby G, reading more, guitar playing, games, and more.
I have noticed myself getting things done around the house more in the evening- also nice when Brandon is home to help with the baby, since he is at the stage and he can never be left alone without crying for you!
So, I will have to say, taking things down a notch has been a great thing and I am loving the closeness it is bringing in our family too!