Christmas at the Greene

We have a great outdoor mall about 40 minutes from my house and about 15 minutes from my aunts house. My aunt and I decided a few weeks ago that we wanted to go to their tree lighting ceremony and take Logan. We had a great time and enjoyed all the beautiful decorations. The weather was great that weekend with daytime highs in the 50's and at night it was in the 30's, which was bearable. We loaded up the stroller and took off. We had fun visiting a few stores, checking out the reindeer and killing time in Books and More playing with Thomas. Logan really enjoyed the small parade and tree lighting. After we left the mall, we decided to find somewhere to eat. We pulled into Logan's steakhouse and Logan started shouting this is my restaurant! He had a blast checking out the restaurant and finding his name on everything.  We had so much fun and will proabably try to fit this into our schedule every year!

Playing with Daisy Dog before we left

The tree before it was lit

Standing by GIANT Santa

Talking to the reindeer ( he was upset because the wouldn't talk back)

Playing with Thomas in the bookstore

The lighting of the tree

Logan with his great aunt Louise

The streets were beautiful with all the lights lit

Thanksgivng Recap 2010

We had a great Thanksgiving! We always meet up with my grandma's side of the family for our Thanksgiving dinner.  We see lots of cousins that we only see once or twice a year, so it is always fun to catch up. This year our numbers were down a bit because some had other places to go. The grand total for turkeys was three, plus two huge kettles of mashed potatoes, a variety of veggies and sides and more pies than I could count! I took a green bean bundles(that were unbundled from here. I did it in the crockpot and instead of bundling, I just layered they ingredients and let it cook all morning. I thought that way would be more practical for a large crowd. They are so good and were a hit this Thanksgiving.

Logan and Madison had fun playing. I took some of the Thomas the Train track that I have at my house and that kept Logan occupied for a long time. Madison showed off her walking skills by working the room and mingling (or grabbing a stray bite of food from someone).  It was so nice to get home on Thanksgiving evening and put on my warm pj's and enjoy my Christmas tree. I did not head out for the Black Friday sales, in fact my shopping is almost complete. I am one of those year round shoppers, who picks things up along the way.

I hope everyone had a great holiday, spent with those near and dear to their hearts.

Logan enjoying his Thanksgiving dinner

Madison is at the table ready for hers

My mom got each of them these Santas to play with

Trying to get his to roll on the table

Madison and Daddy

Madison's close up (nice scratch on her nose)

Logan looking at the store ads, so he can find the best deal for Santa

Is there any good food up there?

Madison decided she had better make out her Christmas list too!

Happy Thanksgiving

I am so thankful for all that I have.  This year has been full of heartache with the passing of my grandfather but in so many ways it has been filled with so much joy. I am sitting in a warm house, with plenty of food stocked in the pantry. I have gas in my car so that I may go visit family today. I am surrounded by friends and family everyday. I have a job that I can go to everyday and see 18 little faces ready to soak of knowledge. I live in a country where I am free to do all these things and worship a God who makes all of these things possible.

I hope you are enjoying the day with those you love and are remembering all the blessings in your life.

Happy Thanksgivng!

Baby Shower for Maria and Ryker

When my friend Maria annonced she was expecting, I was so excited for her. We went to college together and we go to the same church. It has been 13 years since her last baby and we found out it was going to be a boy in a family with a lot of girls, so a shower was needed. I told her I would throw the shower for the church and it was so much fun to plan. We had it right after church,which meant a lunch. We had a great time socializing and oohing and aahhing over all the adorable new outfits. I am sure this family will be blessed by this wonderful new addition. Speaking of, Maria went into the hospital to be induced so I a waiting to hear if he has made his arrival yet.
Update- Baby Ryker arrived at 11:36 last night. He weighed in  at 9lbs 6oz and 21.5 inches long. He is a big boy. Mom and baby are doing fine.

Shower Menu-
Shredded chicken and beef sandwiches
Veggie Tray
7 layer salad
Grape salad
Fruit Salad
Pumpkin Bread

The Cake Table

The Gift Table

The cake-each square has  a yellow booty

This was my first attempt at making a diaper cake

The punch before the ice cream

I made this banner for Baby Ryker

The card basket

The mom-to-be standing behind the cake table

Fall Fun

We had lots of fun this fall. Sometimes I get sad because I think Logan is growing up so fast but then I discover something new he can do. This year he was really into jumping into a pile of leaves. He begged me one Sunday to go outside and rake leaves with him. He got out his little rake and we got started. He was so much fun to watch jumping in the leaves. He would run full force then stop and hop. We spent many weekends this fall raking and jumping in the leaves.

I had a much less stressful week at school and am actually finding myself enjoying my time with my kids. It is amazing the difference one kid can make. I have a busy weekend ahead. Instead of cookie and magazine sales, our school does one large craft show and it is today, so I will be working that. This evening I am headed with my Aunt and Logan to a tree lighting ceremony at a local outdoor mall. I am sure it will be lots of fun. Have a great weekend!

Getting all the leaves raked together

Jump

Being one with the leaves (maybe Aunt Court found a place to put me where I can't get down)!

It's Time To Party

Logan is officially three as of yesterday. It was so funny, I called him last night and started singing Happy Birthday and he told me to stop because he was already three and it wasn't is birthday. I guess to a three year old, your birthday is when you have your party, and that was Saturday!

It was finally decided that this years party would be one and home with just family. I cannot tell you how relieved I was that we were not having it a Chuck E Cheese as originally planned!!!! Logan is all about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I borrowed a friends Mickey Cricut cartridge and started a banner. My brother made the cakes. Overall I think it was the perfect way to celebrate his birthday without totally overwhelming him. It was so much fun to watch his eyes light up everytime it was time to open another present. He was blessed with many wonderful presents and lots of new things to play with.

The Birthday Banner

Mickey Cake

Enjoying his birthday meal

Ready To Blow Out The Candles

The look of excitement

Reading his DDD (he leaves out the V and replaces it with another D)

Playing with his remote control car

Stopping to pose for a picture

Happy 3rd Birthday

It is hard to believe that Logan in three already ( shree as he says it). He is a ball full of energy and all boy!! He loves all things Thomas, construction, farming and Mickey Mouse. We celebrated his birthday on Saturday with a Mickey Mouse party. He had so much fun and was so excited about all the gifts and cake.  Logan has went through a sudden  growth spurt that has made his pants shorter and shirts tighter. He is currently wearing 3T but at the rate he is going, we will have to break out the 4T soon. 

I will leave with some flashback photos from the past few years. It is so much fun to look back and see how much he has grown.  Hopefully I will get back into the blogging grove soon, it has just been a very busy time.

Logan 1 Day Old

 Logan 5 Days Old

Ready for his 1st Birthday Party

Playing with his Great Grandpa(who we missed dearly at this years celebration)

Ready for his 2nd Birthday Party

Having Fun Opening his presents

Ready for his 3rd Birthday(I will have official birthday pictures soon)

Trick or Treat

I wish I could say these were the outtakes but they are not, they are the real deal. According to all involved in the photo session (I was not there) the kids will only take pictures for Aunt Court.  Taking pictures of the two takes a lot of patience and a camera ready at the moments notice to catch the perfect or near perfect shot.  Maybe next year!!!

Logan was a clown and Madsion was a pumpkin princess. Logan threw a fit over having to put on his make up and wanted nothing to do with his wig. Madison kep losing her wings. I guess this is Halloween with a 2 and 1 year old. Enjoy the pictures, they are at least worth a good laugh!

Not a happy clown

A Little Better

Cheesing for the camera

Getting into something she shouldn't

Sporting her brothers rainbow fro