Amateur photography

If you give a kid a camera...be careful what happens next!  Is this like some odd twist on the "Give a mouse a cookie" books??


One might decide to put every hair clip and bow in her hair to model. (These photos were taken by Derrick)

 She might want to smile at herself in the mirror for a very long time.  Then her brother might want to dress up like a bird.

They might decide to photograph their elf Rudy every morning when they find his new hiding spot.

They will try to capture really flattering photos of all your family members.

Carter took this one...not too bad!

Carter took this one

Reese photographed Rudy reading a Christmas book

Gymnastics

 Reese had her first day of Gymnastics today and she loved it!  They did some basic tumbling, balance beam, hung from a bar, and trampoline jumping.  She was so excited to tell me all about it when they had finished.  Seeing Reese go into that class all by herself so confidently was a little bittersweet.  My little girl is growing up so fast!

First snow of the season

The kids just about went crazy when they looked out the window this morning and saw a dusting of snow.  Their first reaction was to run straight for the winter gear in the closet and get suited up to build a snowman.  Many doubted it could be done with such a small amount, but with a little help from Dadda and Uncle Ed, they made 2 cute snowmen.

Thanksgiving

 I'm thankful for so many things this year.  For the most amazing weather and that we could spend so much time outside playing in the leaves, hanging up Christmas lights, going for a hike and just enjoying the sunshine.

 I am thankful for my family...that we were all healthy this year!!!  That they were willing to travel in to spend this special time together with us.
 I'm thankful for my children...that God has blessed us with three wonderful little ones who we love more than anything and who bless us with their smiles, day in and day out.

Pre-Thanksgiving Fun

 The kids were absolutely thrilled to have Uncle Ed arrive in Pittsburgh today.  They were so excited to go to the airport to pick him up this morning.  I think they were a little disappointed that they didn't get to ride on a plane too...I had to explain that we were only going to the airport to pick him up, not to get on the plane.

They LOVED visiting the Children's Museum with him and Ed was a very good sport about being dragged through the rainbow bouncy tunnel and many other fun things.  We can't wait for the rest of the family to arrive as we celebrate Thanksgiving together!

My Cuties

 It took about a thousand pictures to get a few good ones...

Christmas in the Burgh

 We watched the Sounds of the Season horse drawn carriage parade in town tonight and took the kids to see the trees and gingerbread houses.  The holiday season has begun!!!

Sleepin' when the sun don't shine!

 Carter and Reese are loving their little sister more now that she can respond to them a little bit.  Oh what a difference a smile makes.  And I'm loving her a little more now that she is SLEEPING AT NIGHT.  Shhhhhh, don't jinx it!!!!  Last night we had a 7 hour stretch of sleep....oh my goodness was that amazing!

At the library story time this week the theme was, of course, Thanksgiving.  The librarian asked all the kids what their favorite thing was to eat at Thanksgiving dinner.  And what did my son yell out before anyone else could answer???  "Chicken!!!"

Carter and Derrick were out having a catch yesterday in the backyard.  Reese looked out the window and said to me, "Carter and Dadda are playing fetch!"

I just want to add that Sienna is wearing a cloth diaper in these photos and her butt amazingly does not look the size of a house.  I'm finally getting the hang of folding the prefolds!  We are close to the end of our disposable stash and I'm trying to ramp myself up for the big switch to cloth!!!