A cute Thanksgiving craft

I am really looking forward to creating this cute little turkey craft with the kids at our church's Kid's Club tomorrow evening.

I am in charge of the craft, and I think it is good to hear what the kids are thankful for. 

I'll be spending some of my day tomorrow cutting out turkey bodies.

Can't wait!

Image from http://www.marthastewart.com/

I am humbled today

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. 

~Author unknown

My heartfelt gratitude to those who have served, and to those who are serving our country now!  May God bless you and your families! 

Trick-or-Treat

Halloween is probably my favorite time of the year.

Yes, I know it is probably due to the fact that my birthday falls on October 29th, but I just have too many great memories that surround my birthday and the fun holiday that Halloween can be!

I think I have my kiddos on board with me at this point.

Graedon kept saying I was having a Halloween birthday party, and Gave loves everything spooky and Halloweenish!

Here I am with my Captain Jack and Mickey Mouse!

Trick-or-Treating in my hometown with my brother, sister-in-law and nieces.

Love this photo!

It was always pretty much Taylor running ahead, Gabe somewhere in the middle or the last one, and Graedon always running, saying "let me knock on the door!"
These kids rock!

 This was by far the best house we visited.

Don't mind the smoking adult in the background (sorry about that one), but do pay attention to the far right of the photo.  Do you see that head on the table?

Oh my goodness!!

It was a person with her head sticking out of the table, and all of the trick-or-treating candy was scattered on that table and in her hair.

The kids had to walk up to the table, while the head is giving them the evil eye the whole time.

Once they grab a piece of candy, she would scream at them!

I think Graedon almost peed his pants!

All we could do was laugh!

It was fantastic!

All of us adults have decided we are totally tricking one of our houses out next year to scare our trick-or-treaters!  Can't wait!

I couldn't leave out my sweet baby niece, Morgan as a pumpkin!

I could squeeze her all day!

November already!

Thanksgiving is the non-commercial holiday thrown in between Halloween and Christmas, that sometimes, it loses some gusto!

I have already seen commercials advertising holiday open houses this coming weeked, just the weekend after Halloween.  Nothing like going from tricks and treats to Christmas music overnight.

I feel bad for Thanksgiving.

It needs some love as well.

I am looking for ways to spruce up my house for the month of November, turkey day style!

Here is one of my favorites that can be found over at Craftily Ever After.

Check it out to download the free printables yourself.

I am blog land hunting for more fun and festive Thanksgiving decor as well as great ways to get my boys involved in the spirit of Thanksgiving through crafts and projects. 

Please feel free to send suggestions my way!

Love this time of year

I LOVE this time of year!!  I don't know if it just has to do with my birthday being right before Halloween, but this time of the year is my fave!  I love my birthday, I love Halloween, I love fall, I love October!!  I am a little sad that this is the last full week of the best month ever, but it is going to be a great week!

Last night we carved pumpkins at my mom's.  It was so much fun.  I think that is one of my most fave activities for the month of October.  This Friday, my actual birthday, we are hosting a kid-friendly Halloween Costume party at our house.  I cannot wait!  I have so many fun activities, games, treats, etc. planned.  I am also a room mom for Gabe's classroom this year, and I am getting some treat bags made and some fun snickety-snacks prepped for the big day.  Also, I have a couple of girlfriends coming over on Wednesday to do a Halloween craft!  Fun time!  Lots of prep work this week, but so fun! 

What do you have going on this week?  Are you a lover of all things Halloween?  I would love to hear about them!  I am going to leave you with a pic of our jack-o-lanterns!

Happy Halloween Week!

Could use some extra prayers, please?

I can't sleep.  I am to be up in 5 hours to take my mom in for an ablation surgery in the morning.  It's not a risky procedure, and I know my trust in Him is strong to take care of my mom, but it's my mom!!  My mom is my security, and it is scary to imagine a life without her in it.  I would appreciate it so greatly, if you would offer up a prayer for her tomorrow morning at 8am. 

Thanks!!

Polar Express

My mom just booked us tickets for a ride on the Polar Express, and I am so very excited!

Jammies, hot chocolate, Santa, and a magical train ride...what's not to love?!?!?

We're going to keep it a surprise from the boys, but now I am actually looking forward to winter...just a tad. 

Sketch Class!!-You can take it for FREE!

There is a new class being offered over at Inspired to Scrap, and it is a sketch class!  15 days of sketch inspiration to get your scrappy mojo flowing!  The best part-they are giving away a FREE Sketch Class!  Hope you can take advantage and join in on the fun!

Want to take the sketch class for free? Go check it out!

http://www.inspiredtoscrap.net/2010/10/10/sketch-class-giveaway
Inspired to Scrap has a new class beginning on Friday- “Inspired by Sketches.” Complete 15 layouts using brand new sketches! The design team will present a new sketch for you each day during this 15 day class. We’ll have inspiration, techniques and challenges for you to be motivated to complete more pages.

Features of the class- ~Access to a private area of the message board
~Daily inspiration will include a new sketch and samples
~Video tutorials(special surprise techniques!)
~All new samples and layouts to spark your creativity
~Encouragement and support to complete 15+ layouts
~Inspiration from fellow classmates

**Visit the Inspired to Scrap store to purchase the class.
www.inspiredtoscrap.net/store

Here's how to win the class for FREE! 


1. Leave a comment on the blog at http://www.inspiredtoscrap.net/
2. Post about the contest and/or class on your blog (or facebook!)
3. Visit our Facebook page and give us a thumbs up (I think it’s called “Like us” but that sounds so silly to me! LOL)
4. Join the message board and post at least 15 times (if you are already registered, great! Just start chatting!)
5. Upload a new layout or two to the gallery (leave some love while you’re there as well!

**Be sure to leave a comment for each item you complete.

Deadline is Monday night. Stacey will draw a winner on Tuesday!
Good luck everyone!!

Family Movie Night

So, we have started a tradition with the boys to host a family movie night at least once a week (depending on our schedules).

One of the things that Chad and I love to do is pick an old movie from our childhoods that we enjoyed watching and introduce it to our boys.

We've watched some good ones so far:  Goonies, The Adventures in Babysitting, Short Circut, Homeward Bound...those are just a few that have been hits.

Tonight, we are going to watch Harry and the Hendersons!

I know the boys have a great time, but I think Chad and I love it more.

Spending some fun family time together, and then sleeping downstairs together.

We call that "camping out."

If you have any good movies that you think we should watch with our boys, please add suggestions in the comments section! 

A busy October

Wow, October 1st already!! 
That is crazy!
I was sitting and looking at my calendar, and it is already jammed packed, and the first full day of October hasn't even happened! 
Bare with me as I jot it all down...

• Friday, October 1st-Gabe's school Fall Festival set up 3-5pm, and attend for fun.
• Saturday, October 2nd-Future sister-in-law's dinner and night out.
• Sunday, October 3rd-Church in the park, Bridal Shower at 4pm
• Wednesday, October 6th-My 9 year wedding anniversary (heart)
• Friday, October 8th-Annual Covered Bridge Festival starts (runs for 2 weeks)
• Saturday, October 9th-Celebration night for our anniversary
• Tuesday, October 12th-My dad's 49th birthday, Gabe's first field trip of the year, going to Covered Bridge Festival with my mom
• Friday, October 15th-Rehearsal Dinner for Brother-in-Law's wedding
• Saturday, October 16th-Mark and Peggy's wedding (Gabe and Chad are in the wedding)
• Sunday, October 17th-return tuxedos.
• Friday, October 22nd-Mom's is having an ablation surgery
• Saturday, October 23rd-Kids' Halloween Party
• Friday, October 29th-My 31st Birthday
• Saturday, October 30th-Cousins Wedding and Trick-or-Treat night.

Just looking at that list all written out makes me so tired!  I don't know how we are going to survive!