Brie gives Thanks!

Gabriella's preschool always does such a great job with decorating and all the holidays! The kids got to enjoy a "feast", Thanksgiving style. We are very fortunate to have such a great little school for our younger kiddos!

family wedding

 We had a family wedding Saturday and Pete and I were fortunate to be a part of the couple's special day.  I am so excited for this couple to be husband and wife. I am so proud of my nephew and how beautiful this day was for them!!

 An attempt at a family picture, Pete and RePete, Grandma and my favorite kiddos, Brie and momma close up!

 Dancing the night away. We had to leave not long after the dance started as we had another commitment Sunday morning, but not before the kids got to bust a move!  Makayla and the cousins, I just love this picture! such fun!!

 Here is the groom! one of my favorite nephews!! we are very proud of you Benjamin!!  always love you! your favorite auntie ever!! :~)

 All the girl cousins minus one!! what a beautiful group of young ladies!

a sister picture minus one sister! we had a lot of laughs during these photos!  Love this lady who started all of this so much!!! she has much to be proud of!!

dress up

 Pete and I had our fundraiser on Friday night and it was a dress up affair. So after working the morning, setting up all afternoon, racing home - fast turn around and return. This is what we looked like.

The next day we had a wedding and we once again dressed up and tada here we go photo number 2.

art by Kayla

 Makayla was giving the opportunity to enter an art contest. The only criteria was the 3 Kings and Christmas. This is what she came up with and she is quite proud!! first prize is $5000. I am not sure it will win first place, however I think she did a great job!!

Wrinkle in Time

 So the cousins came into town to help out with babysitting. Being the cool moms we are Jill and I thought it was a good idea to take 6 kids to the show "A Wrinkle in Time". They all really seemed to enjoy the show and the actors and theater did a great job with the story!

The kids really enjoyed meeting the people after the show. Our friend Ms. Miriam was one of the main characters so the kids got to give her a squeeze!

We have not done this picture lately and my kids seem to have had a growth spurt.... The 3 pairs are all roughly the same age... I have no doubt we they are adults and we do this to them Jill's kids will tower over mine, however for now Makayla and PJ seem to have the edge. Brie was obviously not impressed with getting her picture taken! (maybe she is still upset that Jill never had a 4rth!!) :~)

Go West

Makayla had a program at school called "Go West". Our school is large enough that each grade does not get to do a public performance each year so it a  treat when they do! Makayla had a couple group songs and a couple lines. Cute little program that she enjoyed performing!

 A few of her buddies...awww a bunch of 11 year old girls.......

Halloween

 Our Halloween started the night before with treats from family and then onto carving pumpkins!

 Pete used the drill, it made the opening process much faster.

 Brie removed her own pumpkin guts for the first time! She thought it was awesome!

 Carving pumpkins, eating family sent treats AND watching Charlie Brown Halloween on tv. What a great night. Makayla carved her own pumpkin this year and did a great job!!

PJ's pumpkin was an X-wing and on the side was a Tie-Fighter. Maggie wanted a butterfly.

Makayla carved a minion, it looked adorable!

 Brie had the easiest pumpkin with a cat. She however ended up with 3 pumpkins and did not share any of them!

 As in the past we started at the neighbor and did our traditional picture, I should line up the last 3 years side by side and compare!

 and off to the next one and the next one and the next one. It was a chilly night so the kids made it around the couple of streets here close by and they were done.

 Everyone was very happy with their success! After warm showers, and then snuggling blankets they enjoyed some treats!

future project

A friend of mine had this as an idea, I have a very open family picture wall. I think I would really like this in my dining room, so for now I am keeping it permanently on my blog for a future to do project!

go HAWKEYES

 The great and wonderful Dr. Shawn and Ms. Amanda had an extra ticket to a recent Hawkeye game and I was offered to go! I met a very good friend of mine there and we had a great time! As always with Derby there is never enough time but we so enjoy our time we do get! The game was awesome, we walked all over the other team(that day). and it was a salute to veterans weekend so the stadium had plenty of red, white and blue(a favorite of mine!)