A Day of Thanks & decorating

This Thanksgiving marked a new beginning for us.  It’s amazing how a new surrounding and the feel of home makes one ready for the holidays. 

I really haven’t gotten into the decorating mood the last several Christmas seasons for various reasons – last year we were living in two different states, ‘09 we were far away from home in a new place, and in ‘04-‘08 we were cohabitating with family.  There is just something about being in a place you can call home.  Don’t get me wrong, living with family is homey, but when you live in someone else’s home you just can’t decorate extensively. 

We – let me rephrase that, Jay – loves to decorate for the holidays, and I love how the house looks decorated!  Over the years we’ve accumulated many holiday decorations.  To be honest, I did not realize how much Christmas stuff we had until we broke out the boxes and totes and boxes and totes (nope-not a typo) of stuff. 

The house has been transformed.  There are eight trees in five rooms, village pieces displayed, and tons of holiday decorations throughout.

The living/family room where we spend most of our time has the most decor.  Our main tree this year is decked out in all Disney ornaments.  The kids have been given so many ornaments over the years, which is great for when they move out on their own they’ll each have their own ornaments, but those ornaments take up a tree themselves.  In years past, we have had the Disney tree and the Hallmark tree – the kids’ ornaments, but this year we went with only one main tree.

Several years ago, my mom and dad started gifting us village pieces.  So between those and the few we’ve acquired over the years, we have a nice collection to display. This year some are located in the living/family room and the others are in the dining room atop the piano. 

I collect angels, and one year I had a little tree with a few angel ornaments.  Well, now I have a 6 ft. tree full of angel ornaments.  Some of the ornaments have been gifts while others I have collected over the years – some really neat thrift store finds, too. 

This little tree the kids & I acquired last year.  I felt it was very symbolic of our upside down holiday as we were in two different states.  It now has a permanent place in our holiday decor.

Years ago, this little tree was originally my angel tree, but now it has a home of its own with a catch all theme.

These two trees are in the girls’ room.  I’ll be honest, we found that purple one on someone’s trash pile one year – perfect for any little girl!

Zack was excited when this little tree went unclaimed.  He claimed it as his and it will adorn sports ornaments shortly.

As you can see, we spent a good part of our Thanksgiving day decorating our home.  Thanksgiving was calm – we didn’t have to rush around to prepare a meal or be some where for a meal.  We took our time and worked together decorating.  Then in the late afternoon we started dinner preparations.  By the time Odie & his dad arrived for dinner the house was decorated & dinner was in the final stages.

It was one of the best Thanksgivings. We were together as a family in a place that we are all excited to call home! 

Jammie Day

This will be our second week off from one of our homeschool co-op’s.  It’s hard to believe that the 10-week session is over.  The last day of each session there is a pizza party.  A few sessions ago, a few of the older girls thought it would be fun to have a “Pajama Day.”  It was kind of a spur of the moment deal so they made a few phone calls, sent some texts, and FB so others could join the fun. 

This session it made the official calendar – which made the older girls very excited because it was now an official end of the session event along with the pizza party.  

I heard Meredith was so excited because she didn’t have to do anything but roll out of bed & go to class. lol

Mackenzie, Jenna, Kassi & Alyssa.

These girls were a few of the many sporting their jammies.  There were even mom & dads alike chillin’ in their jams!!  AWESOME fun!

A Handmade gift

A gift from the heart.  As many of you know, Mackenzie is the crafty kid and she loves making things for others.  She has a creative giving heart, and I love that about her!!

She wanted to give her aunt a special wedding gift – something she could make.  We visited the library and checked out many crafty books.  She knew when she came across this idea – an apron made out of ties – she had found the perfect gift!  Her aunt loves collecting old aprons so what would be better than an uniquely made apron from her niece. 

The night was still young, but Mackenzie asked when they would be opening the gifts.  I explained to her that the gift opening would not happen that evening.  So she asked if she could ask Aunt Tiffany to open her gift while she was around.  Sure enough, my sis was delighted to open Mackenzie’s gift.

Mackenzie was excited to see her aunt wearing the homemade apron. 

My Sister’s Wedding

A few weeks ago, we traveled to witness a most wondrous occasion.  As far back as I can remember, my sister always talked about getting married.  You know there are those little girls that daydream and plan for their once in a lifetime big day – and I can honestly say that was her. 

My sister made a beautiful bride!!  She was absolutely glowing! 

My sister is the baby of the family.  So I’m sure there were many emotions for my mom & dad as they officially gave their youngin’ away. 

My sister has a little flair about herself and I would not expect anything other from her.  It was not your traditional ceremony, - it was simply, meaningful, unique, elegant, and heartfelt.  It had my sister’s stamp all over it!

 

I have to say I am filled with joy as I have acquired a new brother.  Chad is such a laid back guy and I truly enjoy his company.  He reminds me a lot of my hubby.  It’s funny how they say girls marry someone like their father, because my sis’s hubby and my hubby share a lot of similarities, which would lead me to believe they must be a lot like our dad.

 

Congratulations!!

Mr. & Mrs. Chad Nation

Est. October 15, 2011

Trick or Treat Fun

How old is too old? - That is, to trick or treat.  Well, who says there has to be an age limit to have some good old fashion fun. The kids love dressing up and what opportune time to be rewarded for their creativity with candy.

It is getting harder each year to come up with a fun and appropriate costume.  We encourage the kids to stay away from the traditional ghouls, goblins, monsters, vampires, and devils while encouraging them to be creative and have fun with their costumes, keeping in mind their costumes have to be appropriate for church parties too. 

The kids have trick or treated for as long as I can remember – there was only one year, 2009 in North Dakota, that they didn’t go out.  Kassi went for her first Halloween and we’ve gone ever since.  In the beginning I made their costumes, and as they got older we ventured through the thrift stores to find that perfect one. 

This year Kassi and her friends decided to dress up like nerds.  We took to the thrift stores and they found the perfect suspenders, ties, dress shirts, and belts to pair with their jeans.  They taped up their glasses and we found them matching lunch boxes. We even picked up pocket protectors at the office supply store. 

Zack took a mix of things given to him from his uncle and paired them with thrift store finds and a homemade knife to put his LAST minute costume together.  What is it with boys thinking they are too old to dress up & trick or treat.  Come on!! 

Mackenzie wanted to go dressed up as a mad scientist, but she couldn’t agree on a wig with the parentals.  She wanted a fun green or pink wig which had nothing to do with a mad scientist.  So, no crazy wild mad scientist hair, just some rubber gloves, test tubes, goggles, and a lab coat. 

Last year we joined some friends for a night of fun – well, we got to hang with them again this year.  It was a great night!!  Kassi was joined by Jenna & Alyssa, who had never been trick or treating before.  So, the girls went one way with Jay, I walked around with the younger kiddos while chatting with friends, and the boys went another way with the order to meet back at the house at 8:00 p.m.  The boys were back when instructed – very nice!!  Jay & the girls went to the house & then back out for a second round before it was time to wrap it up. 

As far as trick or treating, in years past the kids were content with just visiting a handful of houses and then making an appearance at the relatives’ houses. We’d drive from one side of Columbus to the other so they could see family.  This was the second year they stayed out for the whole time slotted for trick or treating. 

 

Jay likes to dress up, too!!  He donned two costumes this eve – first round he was Juan Val Dez and he even passed out coffee beans to those he encountered.  After a break he changed into ‘Zero’, you know Zoro’s brother. 

If you notice in the pick above, Jay is wearing an adorable little red hat.  Well, it belonged to this little cowgirl. 

Really. Why not just keep your porch light off and door shut.  There were several houses in this neighborhood with similar signs.  Maybe they were out trick or treating with their family. 

When we lived in Colorado (‘02), instead of finding homes with this message, we found front porches with bowls of candy and notes requesting you to only take one or two.  Such a trusting community.

Once we got home, the kids got ready for bed and then they started sorting and trading.  I think their evening was very successful! (You don’t see Kassi because she was watching ‘The Sing-off.’)

The kids weighed their candy:

Kassi had 4.2 #’s

Alyssa had 4.8 #’s

Jenna had 5.4 #’s

and

Mackenzie had 6.2 #’s

Zack didn’t bother weighing his because he just wanted to start sorting and eating.  Yes, Mackenzie collected the most, but she is the only one that is limited to what she can eat thanks to that wonderful palette expander.

It was a great evening. The costumes, the friends, the conversations, and the food!  Thank you Miller family for letting us invite ourselves to partake in an evening of great fun & fellowship.