Thanksgiving and Christmas Decorating ~ 2011

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend starting with Thanksgiving at our house...and then a weekend of Christmas decorating!

The kids got new Christmas books to read.

And we had to figure out how to block off the tree from Lane. Matt found a gate at Lowe's. This was our first interim attempt - the couch and a box.

We got to spend time at the park too! I miss taking the kids as it is dark every evening when we get home. They both get to play outside during the day, but I am not the one taking them and I miss that.

It was in the 50's, but we were bundled up just right.

Reese prefers the big swing - we did both. I wanted to see how she looked in the baby swing. Big!

Lane loves to swing and he is very good about sitting patiently while I go and push Reese on the big swing. He chills and watches all the people. He is now at that age where he doesn't want to get out of the swing to go home.

We had fun balancing pillows on our heads. Reese and I took turns putting them on Lane too. He loved it.

Ah ha - here's the gate. Of course Lane can push it and reach through it, but it does the job.

Reese had a feast at school - here we are enjoying the yummy food!

Afterwards I joined her on the playground and watched the fun.

Here's Matt and Reese making cookies and figures with play doh.

The day before Thanksgiving Grandma, Mom and I cooked the dressing, Granny's sweet potato casserole, deviled eggs and mashed potatoes. Matt picked up the smoked turkey and ham - yes we let someone else cook those for us! Reese and I also made fudge and a pumpkin pie.

Here's everyone enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. Uncle Harvey said the prayer and Reese followed with her prayer from school:

"God our Father, God our Father
Once again, Once again
We ask thy blessing, We ask they blessing
Amen, Amen"

She was precious. I love singing this prayer with her each night before bedtime. Reese sings it before lunch time each day.

After all that food we took the kids to the park. It was a perfect day!

Aunt Lauren and I took turns pushing Reese. Lane stayed home for a nap, but Chris, Susanne and Grayson joined us.

While enjoying a lot of pie and coffee we also gave Aunt Sharon her birthday gifts. Reese loves butterflies and had said that was what she was thankful for this year. Reese picked out a beautiful butterfly card for Sharon. It was sweet. Later on, Reese and Sharon played with Dora and Boots in her room.

A few family pics!

Reese and GiGi were playing pretend games about green ham.

See the green ham in her hands - i.e. coasters.

Lane took a stroll down the path and up the porch.

 On Friday we headed to Rice University to take family pictures - here's a sneak peek of what you will get on our Christmas card. Scott was kind enough to try out his new camera on us. It worked out great with Aunt Lauren's help.

 Trying to a group picture I accidentally stepped on Reese's toe and it began to bleed. Poor baby. Luckily we had an ice pack from Lane's bag!

 We got more 'good' pictures of the kids and Matt, but his one of Reese and I is nice.

We found a "R" for Reese to stand on!

And a butterfly to pose on.

The kids did really well - family photos are always a challenge to keep everyone happy and smiling at the same time. Reese was too cute in her pony tail. It was Daddy's idea!

That night we selected our new 9 foot tree at Home Depot which Matt picked up on Saturday. We spent the evening decorating the tree and the house. It was a blast with Christmas tunes in the background. Reese was so excited and so into it. She decorated the entire bottom of the tree and loved every minute. It was a joy to watch. She and I discussed why we celebrate Christmas and give gifts in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.