Deck the Halls

We got our decorations out on Saturday and Shelby and Eli helped me put up everything. We decorated the tree next. Shelby and Eli were all into helping but Brice could care less. He did come out of his room and put a couple ornaments on the tree. I guess it's that time when it's just not cool to decorate a Christmas tree. I don't think I was ever like that. Correct me if I'm wrong, Mom. I just remember every year wanting to help my mother. I guess that's the difference between boys and girls. At least Eli will want to help for a few more years. Anyway, the lights look good outside at night and the tree is pretty. I love to sit in the den at night and look at the tree. Soon I will wrap my gifts and put them under the tree. The kids are anxious for that too. They want to shake those boxes...

Eli is finding just the right place for his ornament.

Shelby is serious about her job.

Brice... A.K.A. Scrooge!!

Eli took a candy cane from the tree and "accidentally" dropped it on the floor. He had to eat it after that.

Lori "rearranging" the ornaments. For some reason they all get put on the middle section of the tree.

Thanksgiving Day is a Happy Day

I remember the song that Brice learned when he was in preschool... "Thanksgiving Day is a happy day when we say thank you, God". We had a very good day and ate way too much. We started out at my mom and dad's house with turkey and everything else. It was so good. We missed having my brother there. He will be home for Christmas. We are all so excited to see him. It has been since July that we have seen him. The kids are ready for a visit with him. (so are we) We stayed for awhile and then picked up and went to Philip's parents house. Gloria made Eli's favorite ("real" grits and bacon) Mine and Brice's favorite (rice pudding) and Shelby and Philip's favorite (shrimp curry) It was all so good!! We spent the night there and came back on Friday night. We had a lot of fun being out of school and off work. I enjoyed sleeping late (7:30) and playing with the kids. At our LifeGroup last night we did an exercise with the kids where we made a family poster of things that we were thankful for. On our poster we put: Freedom, pets, a bed to sleep in, our church, our home, Christmas, communication (Brice chose that), clean clothes, vacations, health, God, our car, friendships, food, family, education, and money. We have so much to be thankful for this year! It was fun to make this poster. I'm sure we will keep it for awhile just to remind us of all things we do have.

We are getting ready for Christmas and winding down school. I've told the kids that they better buckle down and get serious about their grades. They are so not wanting to be back in school. And I am so not wanting to get up early every day. Have a great week!!!

The family taking our yearly Thanksgiving Pictures

It's not every day they will sit this close together!

This is the true picture of the kids!

My Mom and her daughters

Melanie and WoodyZach and Hannah (growing up too fast!)

Getting that turkey ready for eating!

Those silly Thurman boys

Eli lost his first tooth today. Brice pulled it for him. He wanted to let Uncle Woody pull it on Thanksgiving Day but it wouldn't wait that long. It was just hanging this morning. He says it feels weird without his tooth. I think it is cute. Also today was Brice's first day back from his trip and Eli was so excited. He likes to do everything his big brother does. (as you can see from the picture) They played all day together, even dressing alike. (down to the hat turned backwards) Brice doesn't seem to mind this... YET!

Tuck Day

Today was Tuck Day at the middle school. The 6th grade students read the book "Tuck Everlasting" which was set in the 1800's. Today, at school, the students were to dress as one of the characters and learn more about that time period. They made butter to go with flapjacks. They made candles, learned to crochet, panned for gold, learned to square dance and many other things. She had a lot of fun! She was the character "Winnie". She had a pet toad and wore braids in her hair.

We are out next week for Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to the break. Brice and Philip are in VA for a soccer trip. They will be back next week. Philip said it is cold!!!!

A new Green Bay fan

Eli has become a Green Bay fan since Uncle Stacey sent him a fun package. Eli's first grade class read the story of the Gingerbread Man at school. After reading the book, the class went outside in hopes of coming back inside to taste the Gingerbread Man. Well, when they returned to the classroom the Gingerbread Man was gone. Since he ran away he has been seen by lots of friends and family throughout the US. He was seen by my brother in Wisconsin and he gave Stacey several things to send back to Eli. Soon, hopefully, the Gingerbread Man will make his way back to Madison and the kids can taste him. Eli has enjoyed this each day. They are placing a mark on the map of the US for each place he is seen. Thank you Uncle Stacey!!!

Brice's final football game

Here is a short video to see Brice's last football game. We won and it was a good game. If you can stand to listen to the annoying cheerleaders in the background, this is what is on the video.... An onsides kick that we didn't get, a block by Brice, a pass that should have been a 1st down but they wouldn't give it to us, a fake by Brice to the endzone that resulted in a touchdown, and the job I think Brice always wanted, which is holding the line marker.

Trick or Treat...

Shelby as a 60's child and Eli as Yoda

Brice had to read 3 chapters of Frankenstein for homework. He also had 2 tests to study for. He stayed home and passed out candy.

All the kids from the cul de sac rode in a trailer pulled by one of our neighbors.

Shelby and Eli at one of the houses in the neighborhood.

We had lots of fun on Halloween night. The cul de sac came together for hot dogs and desserts. After eating, the kids went trick or treating and had a blast. They all got way more candy than they needed and got scared a few times. Most of the dads stayed at home and passed out candy. Poor Brice had to study but he joined in the fun every now and then. He ran the neighborhood until he found us one time trying to scare Shelby. It didn't work...

Shelby and Eli looked good in their costumes. Eli's slowly came off during the night. First, his mask and then his outer robe. He was hot and tired when we were finished. The candy is theirs for a few days but come Monday or Tuesday, it's in the trash. Not good for the waist line (mine) or for the teeth. (theirs)