little turkey treats

Yesterday my sister came over for lunch and a playdate with the cousins. We ate lunch, the kids played, and we made burlap wreaths. We got about half way done with the wreaths when my sis had to take Noah for his 2 yr old check-up. I also invited my sis in law and her 6 kids to come over to play when the kids got out of school. I'm so glad we live so close to everybody now! She brought over all the ingredients to make oreo turkeys! They turned out so cute and the kids had a ball making them. I think they had an even better time eating them after dinner.

So glad I took a minute to snap some pictures even amid the chaos of babies waking up from their naps and needing to eat now, a 10 month old teething and crying, a certain 2 year old getting into everything, and trying to make dinner for 12!

I'm looking forward to spending the day with our families tomorrow.

I am counting my blessings today and every day.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

 

sickness and fun times

I had BIG plans for this weekend and we were able to do most of them. My plans did not include the kids getting sick, but sometimes the best laid plans get changed. Emma woke up on Thursday with a high fever and feeling awful.We are blessed to have my grandma living close by and she was able to keep Emma while the rest of us went to work and school. She didn't really get much better and I planned on my grandma keeping her on Friday, too. Max had his Thanksgiving feast as school and it was my last day before being off for this week. Well, I wasn't anticipating waking up to Max throwing up from one end of his bed to the other. It was not a fun way to start a day, but I had to take off and ended up home with two sickies.Bummed that we missed Max's feast and the honor roll awards for the kids at school too! I was running all around taking care of my poor babies. I ended up taking Emma to the doctor because she could not kick the fever, had a sore throat, and nasty cough. Turns out she had an upper respiratory infection and strep throat. So we were given antibiotics and went home to rest up. Max pretty much laid around all day and woke up Saturday feeling like himself. Emma was still recuperating on Saturday and fighting a low grade fever. I was bummed because we were going to take the kids to their very first Gator game in Gainesville. Plans changed and we ended up staying home all day. I was going a little stir crazy from being home Friday and Saturday and the kids were feeling better so I convinced Damian to get out of the house for a couple of hours in the late afternoon. We went to Ikea and I am so excited about my new purchases, especially my curtains for my family and living rooms! We had family movie night and watched The Avengers. Some of us may have been eating chicken noodle soup and saltines while the rest of us had popcorn. 

 We called it an early night and everyone woke up Sunday feeling so much better!!

 

Sunday morning after church we headed to my sister and brother in-law's house to celebrate our sweet Noah turning 2!! The kids had fun playing with their cousins and celebrating together.

 Our friends the Meyers are staying at Fort Wilderness campground so we headed out there on Saturday night for the sing along, dinner, and S'mores by the campfire.

 Still looking a little puny but feeling much better!

 Yesterday, Damian took the day off work(that NEVER happens) and we headed to Hollywood Studios with the Meyers.  It was a fun-filled, cold, action packed day.

We had a blast with our friends!! I have a ton of pics but here are just a few from our day.

 

The boys went on the Tower of Terror while the girls opted out for The Beauty and the Beast show(my all time favorite show!!)

 sweet girls Bailey and Emma

 We were able to do a ton of rides and shows. We waited all day to see the Christmas lights. Even though I typically wait until after Thanksgiving before even thinking about them, the cold weather put us in the holiday mood!

 Max was having his own little dance party! He kept us laughing all day!

 

 

 I love this one!

This was such a great day, so glad we were able to make it happen!

Today we are getting caught up on laundry, having my sis and the kids come over to play, and enjoying our time at home. Tomorrow I will be getting everything ready for Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving day we are celebrating with my family in the morning and Damian's family will come to our home in the afternoon. It is sure to be a fun day! I'm looking forward to black Friday shopping with my mom, sis, and sis in-law, too.  

Fall Festival

On the first Friday in November, our school had its first fall festival from 5-8 pm. My first grade team set up a cupcake walk that turned out to be a hit! Every grade level set up different games or activities; including a turkey toss, lollipop tree, and face painting. Some of our local business partners had bounce houses and slides and different booths set up selling crafts and a variety of other things. I had the kids with me while I helped set up until Damian got off work. I worked in our booth for an hour and then we were able to take the kids around to the different booths.

They loved the dunk tank, slides, and playing the games. 

I'm hoping this becomes a yearly tradition because it was a fun Friday night!

A Magical Day

On the Sunday of Emma's birthday weekend, we headed to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. The older the kids get the easier it is to take them to different places. It's great to not have to worry about strollers and diaper bags anymore. We can just get up and go!

We always visit Spaceship Earth and Innovations at Epcot first.

 We love how this fountain moves to the music.

 

 We had the monorail car all to ourselves...that never happens.

The kids thought it was their very own ride!

 This little guy is too much!

 We rode the ferry, too.

 I love the decorations all over the park. (Can't wait to go in a couple of weeks to see the Christmas decorations)

 I love my family!

 Emma requested that we go on one of her favorites...

 We always stop to admire the topiaries.

 Waiting in line for Big Thunder Mountail Railroad for the first time.

 We thought they would love it!

 But, we thought wrong. Emma told me after that the reason we didn't hear her scream or talk was because she was full of fear! She didn't like it one bit!

 We made it up to her though...with the best popcorn!

 My beautiful 8 year old!

 We had a fun day and stopped by some of our favorite attractions!

I was exhausted after Max's field trip Friday, Emma's sleepover Friday/Saturday, Emma's family birthday party and football watching party on Saturday afternoon/evening, church, and then the theme parks on Sunday.

 

Birthday weekends are the best!!

11 years...

I still remember getting the call from my brother that it was time to go to the hospital because their baby was on the way. They didn't find out what they were having and the excitement and anticipation was almost too much!

 

I was in the midst of planning my wedding and was at my parent's house. My mom, sister, and I left in the early morning hours. I believe it was around 3 or 4 in the morning.

  Nathan Michael arrived just a few hours later and we were all over the moon in love with that sweet bundle of joy!

 He is the "leader of the pack"...the very first grandson and nephew. He's also our godson which makes him extra special!

  For just about three years, he was the one and only! I love looking back at pictures from the early days and seeing his first Christmas, walking for the first time, and the vacations we went on with just one kid! We celebrated him last weekend with our family and we're planning to take him to Legoland tomorrow! We know it's going to be an awesome day with an awesome kid!

Mommy and Me Monday

  Last weekend was a gorgeous one in central Florida. The temperature did not go above 70 degrees all weekend! I am so ready for some cooler weather and it actually feels like fall!

 Love this time of year! Too bad this weekend felt like summer.

I meant to post these pics last Monday after our visit to the Magic Kingdom. But I got so busy with my trainings at school and getting things together for Halloween, so here it is now!

Abigail's Baptism

Yesterday, my sweet niece Abigail Jennie was baptized.

 It was a beautiful faith-filled celebration that was witnessed by family and friends.

 

I have a ton more pictures but wanted to share a few for now.

We also celebrated Abigail's big brother Nathan's 11th birthday today(one week early). He is also our godson so he's pretty special to Damian and I. He was the first grandson, nephew and I still can't believe he's turning 11!

 

We had such a fun weekend!

'Tis the Season...for Christmas cards

While running some errands this weekend it was quite evident that the holiday season is upon us. My friend and co-worker reminded me that we have only two weeks until our Thanksgiving school break.

 It seems like the older I get, the quicker the days go by. My to do lists are growing by the day!

 

 I just love this time of year!

The hustle and bustle, the time with family, celebrating, good food, lots of laughs, time off from school, the weather changing, decorations, shopping, and choosing the perfect family Christmas card. I am planning on getting our pictures taken soon and have already been checking out Shutterfly's website looking for our holiday card to send to family and friends. I have used Shutterfly in the past and have been so impressed with the quality of their products. I love to order my Christmas cards, birthday invites, and everyday prints. I am going to order some grandparent gifts this year, too.

 

There are so many holiday cards to choose from, I don't even know how I'm going to narrow it down to one.

I'm sure after I get our pics, it will be an easier choice.(at least I hope so!) 

 I love Shutterfly's new collection. There is a card for every family because the selection is so big.

 I am especially looking forward to ordering one of their Religious cards. I keep looking back at several that I just love!

 Have you thought of what kind of card you'd like this year for your family?  

Head over to Shutterfly's website to check out their holiday card selection. Enter this link Christmas Cards and I promise you will find the perfect card for your family. Not only does Shutterfly have a big selection, check out the special offer section at  http://www.shutterfly.com/special-offers to check out some great offers.

 

 

**This is a sponsored post from Shutterfly, I will be receiving a promo code for my order(and I can't wait to get my order together!!).**