Thanksgiving with just us

This was the first Thanksgiving where we stayed home and had dinner with just the 5 of us (we've done it in the past, but only eaten turkey sandwiches). I decided to brave the dinner and make it for the 5 of us. I thought if it ended up in the trash (which it didn't) no big deal. I injected our turkey with my Uncle's recipe for frying a turkey. We didn't fry it, just baked it, but it was still yummy.
We had such a nice relaxing family day and I would do it all over again.

Crushing up cornflakes (perfect job for Luke--making a mess)

Snapping green beans (perfect job for Laci--getting everything neat)

eating the cornflakes (perfect job for Aubrey--staying out of the way)

Our table. Laci and Luke helped set it last night and created the centerpiece (fall leaves and acorns). Those are not Aubrey's teeth, just pecans and Luke is not praying, but pouting because I asked him to smile. Yes, I did pull out my crystal. The kids loved it. Surprisingly, Laci broke hers while drinking her milk. Oh well! At least my crystal got used.

I was trying to capture a cute/posed kid picture.

Best buddies! It's been nice having Laci out of school this week. Luke misses having her around.

Trying to get a Christmas card picture. We'll try again.

A little post-dinner football. It didn't last long before we all had our post-dinner rest. Which is also when we discovered that our 4 year old, I mean 2 year old, climbs out of her bed. Yikes! That will be another post.

All in all it has been a great, quiet family day. I'm already eating leftovers--yum! I may even attempt some black Friday shopping. Jake doesn't think I'm serious. We'll see!

A 4 year old in a 2 year old body!

Happy Birthday to our spunky little girl. She definitely keeps things hopping around here (not just Luke)! In this last year her little, or rather, very large personality has blossomed. If she wants it, you know it. If she doesn't want it, you know it even more. Don't even try to feed this child something new or different--her mouth will stay tight-lipped and her head will turn followed by a loud whine.

She talks and acts just like her brother and sister. The other day we had a new babysitter and as she walked into our house, Aubrey was the first one to say something to her, "I Aubrey. Right here." She mimics anything and everything.

She did not and will not have a birthday party or cake because she doesn't even eat cake or icecream--and she's a 3rd kid. So, we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast (more for the other kids and the parents) and had brownies for dessert after dinner (again, more for the other kids and parents).

Happy 2nd Birthay, Squeaks!

At breakfast!

The ones who really enjoyed the birthday breakfast

Luke's pj's that she refused to take off and refused to nap this day. Very stubborn!

An important picture for 2 reasons: this is where you can always find Aubrey--in front of the pantry wanting goldfish, crackers, or candy. Secondly, this was a dress that I wore when I was a little girl (made by my Aunt Margaret)

She loves sitting on the counter and she loves her daddy. And my best guess is that she is eating goldfish.

Halloween and dressing up

It doesn't take Halloween to dress up in our house, but it does make dressing up more fun if you get candy for it. I love holidays when the kids get candy b/c I get to eat all of their peanut-filled candy. But, L and L have outsmarted me. They knew they would get more candy they could eat if they told people, "no peanut kind." There went my Halloween treats. Oh well--probably better in the end :) We didn't always stay dressed up as the same character...

Jake took L and L to Boo at the Zoo!

A little Halloween festival at a local gym. Aubrey LOVES dressing up (specifically as Belle--even though she has no idea who that is)!

While waiting for Fancy Nancy and Fancy Nancy 2 to finish getting ready, Spiderman crawled in a box and went to sleep. He was not real thrilled when we woke him to go trick or treating.

My little artist

Laci LOVES doing art, which is great since we live in a city that is very art focused! She comes home from school and goes straight to counter in the kitchen and starts coloring and drawing (and reading and writing since it is so new and fun for her)! If she is not outside, she is in the kitchen with me drawing and coloring. I love it.