thankful

We shared a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with family. It was nice to be home. Lauren and I stayed the night at Mom and Dad's to help with all the preparations both that evening and early Thursday morning. We stuffed a 22 lb. bird just like Grandma did for years and years. Many of the old menu traditions were kept, but a few new ones made the cut this year...like carrot souffle and sauteed brussel sprouts. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was of course on in the background while we cooked and the kids played. Here are a few highlights from our Thanksgiving Day.

In the kitchen...Mom, Lauren, and I (au natural) filling in more stuffing around the outside of the partially baked bird. All those important turkey juices infuse the stuffing and it comes out moist and delicious every time!



Isaac decided to join in on the fun and was really excited about wearing his very own apron. He loves to help me cook and practices his flipping skills all the time. And just look at that turkey!!



Waiting to eat...Isaac enjoyed watching the parade, especially Kermit the Frog. When the parade was over, it was outside for bubbles...which only lasted a short time since it was freezing cold!!





Camp Keith...Inevitably, every time we gather with extended family, all of the cousins end up outside playing with Uncle Keith. He is incredible with kids...inventing games to expend their energy and making sure everyone is included. He has rightfully earned the title "Camp Keith". Even the other day when we got together for a brunch with our small group from church, we were all visiting and I looked up to see Keith sitting at the kid's table surrounded by 8 or nine little ones. Not too long after, he was outside corralling in the backyard. I fear he gets taken for granted...it is a thankless job. I know the kids love it and family and friends appreciate it greatly. Here's a shout out to you Babe! Let's hear it for Camp Keith!





I truly hope you have a wonderful holiday. We are thankful for you!

investments

Rather big or small, the decision to make a new investment can be exhilarating and nerve-wrecking at the same time. As with any investment, there is always the moment of reckoning..."yes? no? is this going to be worth it?" Yet, if the investment turns out to provide good return, it can be life-changing for the whole family. Allow me to share some of our recent investments, big and small, that have so far proved to be very beneficial to our little family.

Investment #1 - a donut pan.

Whilst shopping with my mom we spied this wonderful pan by Wilton. Knowing my child's insane and passionate obsession for donuts (eh hem. wonder who he gets that from?) Mom and I decided to each purchase a pan to try out. Well, I will let the picture tell you that this was a worth-while investment that has converted at least some donut mornings into a slightly healthier experience. (we still can't resist the occasional trip to the donut shop where Isaac proudly points through the glass to the pink frosted, fried donut with sprinkles exclaiming, "MINE!"...as mommy points to the fried, glazed apple fritter saying, "we'll have 2 please.") So far I've made plain cake, chocolate glazed, and pumpkin spice donuts. The world's your oyster with this one! Next up...blueberry!





Investment #3 - Spanish Schoolhouse.

I've shared before about Isaac's little Spanish immersion school. Our experience there over the past few months has been such a blessing. Ike only attends 2 days a week and he is already learning so much. In the mornings, when we pile into the truck, he immediately asks..."Mommy, a la escuela?" He knows colors, can count to 15 (except he always leaves out "trece"...it's an unlucky number anyway) says "por favor" and "gracias" as well as all kinds of greetings and leave-takings. The other day he pointed to a big 18 wheeler and said, "gande!" (grande). Plus, I can tell he understands so much more when I speak to him or ask him to do certain things in Spanish. Last week, his class had a Thanksgiving feast and the kids were permitted to not dress in uniform. He looked like such a little man in his sweater vest. When I picked him up, he proudly displayed a painted paper plate with a face drawn on it and feathers glued on top. I asked him, "que es esto?" and he replied, "un indio!" (an indian). Wow. Spanish Schoolhouse was a fabulous investment and it has motivated Keith and I to speak to him more in Spanish too. Ole! The terribly unfortunate thing is...we will have to pull him out of the school at the end of December since we are moving due to the fact that we are about to make the biggest investment either of us have ever made in our lives...

Investment #4 - a HOUSE!!

After months of searching, we finally found a house we want to call home. I will post more formal details soon so I don't jinx anything. Basically, the contract has been agreed upon and signed and we are just awaiting loan approval. So, if all goes well, we will close on December 8th and move in shortly thereafter. Here's a glimpse...



So...now we only have a few more investments to make...refrigerator, clothes washer & dryer, oven, vacuum cleaner...oh MY! It's slightly overwhelming...lie...it's TOTALLY overwhelming!!!

Happy investing to you! May your decisions always have good return.

trunk-or-treat

Halloween weekend started with inviting Grandma and Grandad over for pizza and pumpkin carving. It was a team effort with great results! We mulled cider and roasted the pumpkin seeds ("eeeuuuuwww, slimy!" was all isaac kept saying as we were digging out the seeds). We topped it off by watching It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. It doesn't get much better than that!



Then on Sunday evening, we joined our friends Ruthie, Josh, and sweetie Corrinne for costumes and trunk-or-treating at church. If you read the last post, you will know Costume Round 1 wasn't very successful. I am pleased to report that Round 2 was a total hit! I think Isaac was trying to impress Corrinne. She was a DOLL! (well, a doll in a gnome costume) We walked to church from their house and had a grand ole' time. Then, once Isaac was safely in bed with visions of candy bars dancing in his head, Keith and I proceeded to pilfer through his candy profits, pick out all the good stuff, and toss the rest. Oh yeah!




Hope y'all had a great time too!