Thanksgiving

As is our tradition on my side of the family, we hosted Thanksgiving.  We were thrilled to finally have a place of our own....especially one big enough to host the event.  So, although it was worth it, I've gotta say, this was a huge undertaking. :)  I have an even greater appreciation for the many yummy holiday meals I have enjoyed throughout the years where all I was responsible for was a side dish or dessert.  :)  Amy and I have had quite the year with our mom passing away, getting settled in new houses, and Amy having a baby.  :)  With life a little more in order and my sister's help, next year will be a piece of cake!  Anyway, the day wasn't nearly long enough, but we enjoyed the time we did have together.

I was just a little proud of the meal.  :)

I bribed the kiddos with a piece of candy for every Thanksgiving worksheet they completed.  It worked a little too well....I finally had to cut them off.  Ha!

BJ read the "Squanto" book to the crew.  Uncle Isaac was his most attentive listener.  :)

We finished the evening with our traditional Bingo game. Poor Uncle Isaac was helping run 3 or 4 boards at the same time.

I really miss my mom but I so appreciate times with my sister and her family.  There is much to be thankful for.

The Smythe's 4th of July party was also a blast!  We always enjoy the fellowship, encouragement, and yummy food.  The day is scheduled with activities for the kiddos, family presentation times, a pie contest, mini bazaar, special speaker (this year, Greg Harris), and a potluck dinner.  Fun, fun, fun!!! Here are pictures of our boys enjoying the day.  :)

Happy Independence Day!

We were probably crazy to do this since we had a busy couple of weeks, but we wanted to see our Centralia friends and family.  This was a super quick trip of bringing my sister a trailer full of her stuff and empty boxes for their move, a little swim time at the Corwins, the parade, and a bbq at the Wiley's. There are always so many people we wish we could catch up with. Someday I want to spend a week up there!

Here's a few pictures of the parade....

This is Joshua and Josiah's first time eating one of these sucky applesauce things.  Thanks, Aunt Amy!  They caught on pretty fast. :)

Lots of cousin fun! :)

Easter....Part II

Talk about feeling grown-up, I have now officially hosted Thanksgiving and Easter!  Thankfully, with everyone's help, I haven't had to cook the turkey or ham for these holidays yet. :)  

I really enjoyed hosting in our new home. We finally have room for a bigger table....which we desperately needed for our family, let alone any guests.  We are thankful for the beautiful, LARGE table my in-laws bought us as a house warming gift.  We had 14 around the table and 2 in high chairs.

Sally spoils our boys with her Easter baskets every year.  Even at 1 1/2 years, Joshua and Josiah caught on to how fun they are!  They would empty the bag and refill it over and over and over again!

Now this was a sight to see: my niece, Kami, giving rides on the riding lawn mower.  We thought it was fitting that she wore her boots.  Yee Haw!

Hunting eggs....

Judson carried around the eggs he found for the rest of the day.  As you can imagine, his eggs weren't in the greatest shape!

 Aunt Alison looked out the window and noticed cows walking in the road.  Sure enough, the neighbor's cows got out.  BJ took off to help herd them back in and also got to meet a few of our neighbors in the process.  :)

What a wonderful day!  

He is risen indeed!

O Christmas Tree....

We found our tree on the first Saturday of December.  I am happy to say that it is so healthy, and because of last year's forgetting to water it so we couldn't even turn on the lights episode, my boys have been super diligent tree waterers.  I don't even have to remind them. :)

Our binnies are true full-time walkers now.  This is when they were planning the directions they would each walk so mommy would have fun chasing them. 

And they're off!

Notice the lack of lights on the upper half of our tree?  We will be hitting up the after Christmas sale for lights since over half of them didn't work this year.  But at least our tree is healthy....can't win them all.  :)