Thanksgiving

Each year, I think I get a little bit closer to mastering the art of not freaking out over the holidays.  This is the second year in a row that we have had dinner at our house.  I am so thankful that my family is willing to come to us.  I didn't cook one thing until Thanksgiving day, and even then I didn't really stress.  Mom brought a ton of food, Felicia made the stuffing, and Katie cooked as well.  Daniel has also become the expert of deep frying a turkey (only in the south, right?) and it was by far the BEST turkey I have ever had!


We started out Thanksgiving Day by cheering on DC in a four mile race, called the Borodash.  It started and ended at MTSU, so it was right down the road.  I have to admit, I kind of enjoyed being on the sidelines!

A foggy Thanksgiving morning...

Starting Line

A cold morning at 38 degrees

Go Daddy!

Back to the house...

Brady is really into letters right now, he loves his flashcards!

Daniel about to drop the turkey

My favorite picture from Thanksgiving!

Uncle Abe!

We had a great time at home.  That night, we headed down the road to my dads.  Our family from Cleveland came in town and Brady got to play with his cousin Ethan, who is 2 today!  Happy Birthday Ethan!

Lizzie even got a Thanksgiving treat!

I think it's safe to say that Ethan had everyone wrapped around his little finger!

 

Last but not least, we headed to DC's parents for 2nd Thanksgiving on Friday!

Aunt Suzie made Brady a Thanksgiving shirt!

Everyone is so happy when Jesse comes home from UT, here Jesse and Brady are playing with the stomp rocket.

What?  You guys don't do Sparklers on Thanksgiving?

Brady and Uncle Scott

We are certainly blessed with such a big and wonderful family to spend the holidays with!

My new toy...

After selling and saving, I finally got a new camera.  With the help of several people, I think I purchased a great camera.  I have no clue how to use it yet.  The manual is crazy thick, and I have only gotten to page 18 so all of my shots so far have been on auto mode.  There is an intro to photography class here in Murfreesboro so I am going to go learn how to use my camera there.   Here are a few shots I have taken with it so far.  I wasn't concerned with apparel or scenery, just having fun...  ;)

We went to Opryland tonight thinking it wouldn't be crowded, since it's not even Thanksgiving.  Boy were we wrong!  Brady got to pet the horse, and he loved all the lights!

                                           My favorite part is always the nativity scene...

I'm no pro, but my new camera sure is fun!  Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Halloween!

Growing up,  Halloween was a one day event.  We would get dressed up and trick or treat in our neighborhood.  Once we hit every house, we might even change costumes and go again!  Our neighborhood was great for trick or treating,  I had never even heard of such a thing as "trunk or treat".  Most houses had their lights on and we always knew which ones had the best treats!  

I have never lost my love for Halloween, but there is something about having a child that makes holidays even more magical.  The happiness that you feel when you see the excitement in your childs eyes... it's the closest thing to being a kid again.

 Brady was a sheriff this year!

 Friday, our friends Stephanie and Chris invited us to trunk or treat with their son Coleson.  These two always have a great time when they get together! 

Saying goodbye at the end of the night....



What would Halloween be without the spooky zombies?  One of our big fundraisers for softball is Halloween in the Park, where the girls get scary for the Haunted Corn Maze!  We raised $1200 on Saturday for the team.  The girls and the parents did a great job.  If you look closely, you might even spot Daniel in the back!  Can you find him?  Think Friday the 13th... He enjoys scaring the kids.  :)

This is Kelli, one of our softball players.  I'm so lucky that all the girls love Brady...

What would Halloween be without pumpkin carving?  Sunday we started prepping for the BIG DAY!  Brady and I chose to pumpkin paint...

Brady and Daddy working hard

My pumpkin.  :)

DC's pumpkins.  He made the Mickey for Brady!

Brady's red pumpkin, the finished product

We made silly pumpkin cupcakes

Finally, Halloween!  I joined Brady for his party at school.  After the fiesta, they went trick or treating to all the other classes at school.

Pia, Brady's partner in crime at school, on the left

You didn't think Lizzie and I would go without costume did you?

A very unhappy bumblebee

Self-Explanatory 

With Mimi and Aunt Katie

It's Tuesday night, and Brady is still coming down from the fun of Halloween.  Me, I'm not quite finished.  Mom and I are going to see "Wicked" tomorrow at TPAC.  I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween, and that your inner kid came out for a bit.  :)