So Thankful

Thanksgiving this year was with the Bedicheks. After a big breakfast at home, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and some cooking for our big lunch, we went over to Doug and
Sheila's to spend the remainder of the day. While we waited on everyone to arrive and for all the food to be ready, the kids had fun jumping on the trampoline, swinging and playing ball outside.  There was initially some scandal over the meal when we were planning it all because different people signed up for items that have traditionally been brought by certain people.  But the food turned out great and we had tons of leftovers.  Sheila sat at the kids' table this year, which our kids loved and which gave us a chance to visit with the grown-ups:) We also had a special guest for lunch this year.  Sheila's Uncle Jim, who was the policeman handcuffed to Lee Harvey Oswald when he was shot, came over for Thanksgiving lunch since his wife had just passed away a few months before.  He's a very nice man with obviously some super interesting stories. After lunch, the girls enjoyed hanging out with their cousins and Judson had a ball playing with all the toys in the playroom closet.  We also let all the kids do a piano and voice recital for us.  Judson, Kendall, Avery, Bailey, and Brooklyn all played some piano pieces for us and then Avery also sang her two songs that she is going to perform at her voice recital.  After the Cowboys game was over, we let the little kids (which was only our kids this year because Amy and Mike weren't there and everybody else is too big) open their presents and then we played our traditional git card exchange game.  Sheila wanted to do it like last year where we had to challenge someone to a Christmas trivia question in order to steal their present, but not many people seemed to be on board and there was a lot of confusion.  So we ended up doing it the old way and I think everyone ended up happy with their gift cards. It was a fun day and we are so thankful for the blessing of family to spend the holiday with!

The kids always enjoy the swing set at Doug and Sheila's since we don't have one anymore

strengthening Daddy's legs

Kendall playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and Avery singing along

Lovin' on Bella

So thankful for my hubby!

We celebrated Christmas with the Bedicheks at Thanksgiving since we won't be together then.  Kendall and Avery got some ear muffs fromAunt Sheila and Uncle Doug for walking to school on super cold days!

Uncle Gordon and Aunt Janis gave Judson a Mr. Freeze jet that he loves

Scott trying out the TMNT mask that Judson got from Uncle Mike B.

Cool!  A TMNT sub from Memaw and Dedaw

Gordon had fun with this little scooter thing that Judson got from Aunt Sheila and Uncle Doug

Avery and Kendall always have such a good time playing with Brooklyn

Memaw read Kendall one of the books that she and Dedaw gave her.

Kids table! Some of these "kids" look awfully big!

Avery, Kendall and Judson with Uncle Jim

take 2- a little less crazy this time

Avery and Kendall enjoying their Thanksgiving dessert

November Fun

Judson in his classroom before the feast

Enjoying his yummy food and some one-on-one time with Mommy

Another fun event in November was the Thanksgiving Feast at Judson's preschool.  The menu was similar to last year, which included chicken tenders and rolls from Chicken Express, salad, carrots, grapes, and desserts.  The meal was yummy and it was so fun to see Judson in his turkey hat and enjoy a special lunch with him at his school.

Gettin' Down with Mother Goose

Kendall in her classroom all dressed to perform

 Kendall's school music program this year was entitled "Gettin' Down with Mother Goose."  The first graders were dressed in different nursery rhyme costumes, including stars, lambs, kittens, and Wee Willie Winkie in PJs and nightcaps.  Each class performed a different nursery rhyme song that went along with their costume.  Kendall's class was dressed as stars and sang a version of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." It was a very cute program and gave each class a chance to have the spotlight for a little bit.  After the performance all the grandparents and uncle Mike came back to the house with us to eat some taco soup. 

Kendall with her friend and neighbor Lexie

Kendall is dead middle in this picture, right next to the kids in PJs and nightcaps

A family picture with the performer. Judson is making a crazy face as usual.

"Ta-Da!" 1st grade musical- finished!

Me and my little performer

Turkey Trot

Every November at school the kids participate in a half mile or mile race called the Turkey Trot.  Avery is pretty competitive and tries very hard to finish near the front every year.  Both girls gave it their best as Judson and I cheered them on.  Kendall finished in 23rd place among the 1st grade girls, and Avery finished in 14th place among the 3rd grade girls.  I was very proud of them both and the awesome effort they put forth to come out near the top!

Kendall getting ready to run her race.  Kindergarten and 1st grade run a half mile.

Kendall having some water after her race

She looks so happy and proud

Kendall with friends from her class

Avery lined up for her race.

The third through fifth graders run a mile long race course

Avery and Rylin.  I wish the lightning wasn't so weird because this is an adorable picture of these two girls!

Another weird lighting picture- but still cute :)

Avery with some friends after the race.

Veterans' Day and Yeehaw Fest

Thank you Veterans!

Two events near the beginning of November were Veteran's Day and Yeehaw Fest.  Every year at Granger the kids have a Veteran's Day program and sing the songs of the different branches of the military.  I am never able to attend because it is always right during pick up time for Judson's preschool.  But I do enjoy hearing the girls sing all the songs for the rest of the day.  When we got home from school that afternoon, the kids wanted to pose beside our American flag for pictures.  Yeehaw Fest was also in early November this year.  I worked Kendall's class booth for one shift and Scott worked Avery's for a shift, and the rest of the time we took the kids around to play games, go in the bounce houses,, and get snow cones.  It's always a fun event and this year was even better I thought since they held it in the afternoon and we still had our evening free.

Avery and Judson

Miss Kendall

The kids all stood in line patiently to get their faces painted at Yeehaw Fest. Judson got a Batman symbol on his.

Avery and Kendall got pink Ninja Turtles masks

Halloween 2014

Halloween 2014- our angel, peacock, and Batman

For Halloween this year, the kids dressed as a peacock, an angel, and Batman.  The girls were really excited because I put special makeup on them to go along with their costumes.  And Judson had been waiting weeks, maybe months to wear his Batman costume.  After some pictures everyone was beginning to come outside to their driveways, so we let the kids trick or treat up and down our street.  Then we went over to the Bengtsson's house for pizza and trick or treating around our part of the neighborhood.  They were all waiting on us were we got there, so the kids hurriedly scarfed down some Little Ceasar's and began going house to house to fill their bags with candy.  One haunted house and lots of bags of candy later, we returned to the Bengtsson's.  The kids dumped out all their candy to see what they got, had a few treats, and ran off to play.  Judson literally ran circles around the grown-ups in a candy-induced sugar high.  It was like something out of a movie. Eventually we came home, put the kids to bed and enjoyed some of those treats ourselves while realxing in front of the TV.

Jud was so excited to finally get to wear his costume.

Cutest Batman I've ever seen!

Sweetest angel I've ever seen

Prettiest (and sassiest) peacock I've ever seen

spreading her feathers

Batman is ready to get some treats

close-up of the angel's makeup

close-up of the peacock's makeup

their first house to hit

My three with the Star Wars crew. Rylin Childress and Ella Bengtsson were both Darth Vader, Mylah was Princess Leia, and Liam was a clone trooper